One of
the biggest reasons I love softball is the people. Pretty much everyone
involved in the game, from active collegiate players, those in the professional
league, & coaches to owners, broadcasters, and retired players, I’ve yet to
come into contact with someone that falls under any of those titles and wasn’t
one of the most kind, gracious people I’ve ever met.
Without
hesitation, I can classify former UNC Tar Heel standout & current Carolina
Diamonds star Danielle Spaulding in the same way. She is one of
the sweetest, nicest people you’ll ever meet, and a pretty dang talented
pitcher, to boot! After a trade from the talent-heavy Pride sent her to the
Diamonds before last season, Dani spent 2012 in the lime and white and helped
the NPF’s presence grow in the Carolinas .
Her
personal statistics are pretty awesome, as well. A 3-time NFCA all-American at
UNC, her senior year was one of the most spectacular seasons I've ever seen put
up by anybody. She went 21-7 in the circle, with a ridiculous 1.21 ERA and 344
strikeouts. At the same time, she only put up a .323/8/33 stat line at the
plate. Oh, yeah and don't forget the SIX no-hitters in the pitching circle.
Dani is
in her first season as an assistant coach at University of Redlands
Q: Besides being a great &
dominant pitcher, you're also a to-be-reckoned-with hitter. What is the
advantage to being a "dual threat" player instead of just excelling
at one or the other?
Question 1: Well I don’t hit anymore
in the professional league, but when I was in college I loved being able to hit
because it allowed me to be able to separate the game and it allowed me to be
involved both offensively and defensively. I also feel my opponents
respected me more as an all around player rather than “just a pitcher” or just
a hitter”
Q: What is the proudest moment of
your career?
Question 2: This is a really hard
question to answer because I have so many proud moments. A proud moment
that I will always remember is not for myself but another teammate who was
thrown into a situation that you could have easily said was “out of her
league”. I was coming off of shoulder surgery so I was not allowed
to pitch but they wanted me to play first base but not throw. She was
pitching against the #9 team in the nation as a freshman and I talked to her
every step of the way and she really matured that game and beat them.
That was one of the proudest moments as a teammate because knowing the type of
person she is and she showed her vulnerability (which she never does) and she
pushed through it and she didn’t hesitate to ask for help and I am glad I was
there for her when she needed me. I was so proud to see as a veteran
player to see someone so young grow and mature in one game. As a player,
I would have to say my senior year was one of my hardest years emotionally and
physically. I had to overcome pitching through a broken hand it
showed me who I was as a teammate, a person, and as a player/competitor.
Q: Give me your prediction for the
2013 Tar Heels softball team.
Question 3: When I have talked
to Coach Papa and Boo Gillette they are extremely excited about this year and
say they are going t make a great run. It’s hard to make a prediction
without knowing the players, but with the Coach Tony Baldwin as the new hitting
coach ( I have heard nothing but GREAT things about him) and Lori Spingola on
the mound I think they are going to do great. My 5th year I had a chance to work with
Lori and not only does she have the fight, but she has what it takes to bring
the team far. I am excited to follow how they do.
Q: A few months into your new duties
as "Coach Danielle", how are you liking coaching? Is it weird yelling
advice from the dugout instead of being in uniform on the field?
Question 4: I absolutely LOVE
coaching. This is actually my “3rd” year as a coach. I
was the student assistant at UNC and they really treated me like a coach so I
got so much experience. I was the pitching coach at Texas A&M last
year so that was also an amazing experience working for such an amazing
university. And this being my first year at the University of Redlands
Q: As a player & now a coach,
how much preparation do you do in readying to face an opponent?
Question 5: Preparation starts DAY 1. I
tell my girls that the moment you step in the classroom and the moment you step
on the field you are preparing for every opponent you ever play. You can
never stop preparing and you cannot stop getting better.
Q: Finish this sentence: If I were
not involved with softball, I would be ________________.
Question 6: Lost;) just kidding…
that’s a hard one because I have never thought of my life outside of
softball. If I were not involved in softball I would probably work with
kids in some way.
Q: If you could trade places with
anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
Question 7: Tough question because
but for just being fun. Maybe Miranda Lambert. She seems to have pretty
fun with everything and her husband Blake Shelton is not only gorgeous, but
hilarious as well.
Q: Say you were Aladdin and the genie
agreed to grant you three wishes. What would you ask for?
Question 8: a good singing voice
(loved to sing but also don’t want to torture people haha), a healthier body
(mine feels about 40 years old lol), a successful softball facility to run
Q: If you were offered a
guest-starring role on any television show currently on TV, which would you
like to appear on?
Question 9: Probably “New Girl” it
is probably one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. Or for a serious show
“Chicago Fire”
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