Field General: Sarah Crawford

SARASOTA — Sarah Crawford was jealous.

And, she had every right to be.

Her older sister had received numerous trophies for playing soccer, and the then 6-year-old girl simply wanted a trophy of her own.

So, she did what any other typical child would do — she pestered her parents until they signed her up for softball.

Crawford received her first two trophies following her first season on the diamond. From that point forward, she was hooked.

“I was really excited,” Crawford says. “I wanted a trophy and I thought I was going to be on TV. I liked how it wasn’t like other sports. You get to switch between batting and fielding and you always have to be alert in the game.”

Now, with a slew of trophies occupying her room, the 14-year-old Sarasota Heat 14U catcher is hoping to add another trophy to her collection as a member of America’s Team.

Crawford, who will be a freshman at Braden River High in the fall, is the youngest player ever to have been recommended for the team.

“It means the world to me,” Crawford says. “It shows all the hard work and practicing on my own time is finally coming into action. If you think it and dream it, you can do it.”

As a part of America’s Team, Crawford will travel July 22 through Aug. 1 to Italy and Greece. There, she will compete in a five-game tournament, while also going on educational tours and conducting a catcher’s clinic for the Italian and Greek softball teams.

“I definitely won’t forget my first time on a plane,” Crawford says with a laugh.

Crawford was recommended for America’s Team earlier this spring, during a tournament in Lakeland. The coach for America’s Team also happened to be the coach of the team the Heat was playing against in its second game of the tournament.

After watching Crawford’s athleticism behind the plate and seeing her notch her first career home run in a game, the coach approached Crawford about becoming a part of America’s Team.

“I was in shock,” Crawford says. “Honestly, I didn’t think I would be able to go. My dad wasn’t there, so I kept thinking, ‘Is this a dream?’ When I learned this really is happening — that whole night I couldn’t stop smiling.”

Crawford began her softball career as a pitcher and first baseman, but five years ago, she switched over to catcher. She’s stuck with it ever since.

“I liked it right away,” Crawford says. “There’s always something to work for and get better at.

“I love how I’m the star of the field,” Crawford says of her position. “I can see everything and I know every play that’s going to happen. I really like being in the field, because you’re always in the game.”

During a recent showcase tournament in Georgia, Crawford was facing the No. 1 team in the country when a pinch runner — known for her speed — came on. It wasn’t until after Crawford threw her out that she realized it was the first time the base runner had been caught stealing all season.

“I thought it was just another runner,” Crawford says with a laugh.

Crawford initially played for the Tropic Wave, before joining the Sarasota Heat four years ago. So far this season, Crawford is batting .407 with 22 hits and three walks.

“She works hard, and, no matter what she does, she’s always aiming for perfection,” Sarasota Heat coach Amy Merrill says. “She’s generally very positive and she’s a good teammate and leader. She’s certainly capable of directing a game. Her game knowledge is very high.

“She always competes against girls who are older than her, so that’s part of the reason she’s been so successful,” Merrill says. “She holds her own very well.”

Crawford will continue playing for the Heat, before joining the Lady Pirates softball team next spring. Eventually, Crawford, who already has expressed interest from a handful of schools, hopes to continue her softball career at the University of Tennessee.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].