interviews

Amanda Cochran
Age: 16
School: South Whidbey High School
Relation: Sister

How old were you when you first started playing softball?
i was around eight or nine years old.

Who got you into softball?
I'm pretty sure it was dad.

How old were you when you started playing select?
I was ten years old.

What do you think the hardest position in softball is and why?
Probably, catcher and pitcher because they require stamina and strength.

Who has been your favorite coach?
Frank Para, he's a local who lives on whidbey.

How many teams have you played for?
I think ten teams, but I'm not for sure.



Clayton Cochran
Age: 49
Relation: Father

Do you like coaching softball, explain?
I enjoy coaching softball for a number of reasons. It has allowed me to spend a lot of time with my daughters as they are growing up, and it has allowed me to teach them about sports and the lessons that it can teach them about life.

Why did you get me and amanda into playing softball?
Amanda and Phalen both wanted to play baseball and softball when they were 5 years old. After learning the sport by playing baseball, they transitioned to softball. I wanted them to play because I think it will help make them well-rounded adults.

Is softball time comsuming?
Softball has been very time consuming, especially given the fact that we live on an Island and have to take the ferry to practices and games. Tournaments last from 8 a.m. Saturday morning until 8 p.m. Sunday night.


What's the best part about coaching softball?
The best part about coaching softball is seeing the players mature and learn to win and lose with respect for their opponents.

What do you believe is the hardest position in softball is?
The hardest position in baseball or softball is catcher. They are the "quarterback" of the team and run the defense. Both Phalen and Amanda were originally trained as catchers before they learned to play other positions.

Do you think getting a division 1 college scholarship for softball is hard to get?
Obtaining a Division 1 College Scholarship is extremely difficult. Only a handful of softball players from the Northwest will get that offer. Once at college on a softball scholarship, the student/athlete has to work extremely hard to keep her grades up while practicing for hours each day and traveling all over the country to play during the season.

Do you think baseball is harder then softball?
Baseball and Softball are two very different games. The two primary differences are that the dimensions of a baseball field are much larger than those of a softball field, and in softball, the pitchers throw underhand rather than overhand like in baseball. Softball is a much faster game and requires excellent reflexes.