Freeport Grad Playing Softball this June in South Africa

by Jonathan Weaver

A former Freeport Area High School softball player will be taking her skills to play against South Africa’s best teams this June.

Emily Lindsey – now a junior at Westminster College in New Wilmington (Lawrence County) – is one of about two dozen female athletes representing the United States June 19-July 1.

Primarily a third-baseman and shortstop, this will be Lindsey’s first trip overseas.

“(Beyond Sports) emailed me about it a few months ago and invited me to play. All I had to do was answer back if I wanted to or not,” Lindsey said.

It also helped that two of Lindsey’s Westminster College teammates – outfielder Nicole Anderson from Oakmont and catcher Lexi Sheffer of Seneca – are also embarking on the trip.

One of two seniors on the team, Sheffer – who studies psychology with a focus in animal behavior - also played in the softball World Cup in Amsterdam during January 2011 and called the South Africa trip an “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“I think (traveling to South Africa) will be an amazing experience. Of course, you’re traveling with different girls you haven’t met and are playing with them,” Sheffer said. “I’m excited for the memories and the experience.”

Beyond Sports Program Development Director Grant Leslie was one of the organization’s founders in 2010.

“The idea behind the program was that there weren’t opportunities for athletes to study abroad like there were for students from the general population,” Leslie said. “Our goal over the past six years has been to provide international education opportunities for college athletes.”

Student athletes have went on trips to Costa Rica the past six years, but this will be the organization’s first trip to South Africa. He said female athletes that currently play Division II, Division III or NAIA collegiate competition were chosen during the course of the past year to play in South Africa based on all-conference honors, coaching recommendations or statistical leaders.

About 60 American athletes will be separated into four teams to play South African all-star teams.

“A lot of the students that will get to travel abroad wouldn’t necessarily consider an international experience, but then when they see it through the lens of softball, that becomes something they’re more interested in,” Leslie said.

Athletes will be under the direction of Willamette University Head Coach Damian Williams.

The Salem, Oregon coach of the Division III Lady Bearcats has taken student athletes around the world – such as to England, Australia and New Zealand –and also talked to fellow coaches across the country about the opportunity.

“One thing I want kids to do is travel the world and experience different cultures so that we can learn from everyone around the world,” Coach Williams said. “Softball is pretty universal – the main thing is that it’s going to be a fun trip for the kids. - they’ll bring their own competitiveness with them and I will just instruct.”

Leslie also played football, basketball and golf at Willamette University.

Sheffer, 22, was also looking forward to instructing young South African girls in clinics this June.

According to the Beyond Sports website, student athletes will also visit Cape Point Nature Reserve, the Castle of Good Hope and District Six Museum during the trip.

Lindsey, 20, has started 17 games for the Titans, posting a .315 batting average with four doubles among her 17 hits.

“I don’t really get caught up in (statistics) – I just go and play,” Lindsey said.

Westminster is currently in sixth place within the Presidents Athletic Conference with a 7-11 overall record

Lindsey – a junior media arts and graphic design major – started playing softball in fourth grade.

Lindsey is fundraising for the trip through GoFundMe, and said the overall trip costs a minimum of $4,000 for uniforms, equipment and her flight to Cape Town, South Africa. Through last week, she has raised about $720.