The Selma Times-Journal

If you have not heard the name Kendall Veach, it may only be a matter of time until you do.

Veach is the starting third baseman for Morgan Academy’s junior varsity softball squad. On its surface, that is not much of an accomplishment. However, Veach is only 11-years-old.

“They allowed her to try out, and when they did, the head coach was amazed by her talent,” said Kendall’s mother, Debbie Veach. “They fought for her to continue to stay on that team at such a young age.”

Kendall Veach began playing softball when she was 5-years-old. She played tee ball and was similar to most girls her age. But her father, Donny, saw potential in her game.

“When she was 7, her father saw potential in her and knew she was going to be a ball player,” said Debbie Veach. “He decided to pursue it and started working with her.”

Though she enjoyed softball, Kendall’s first workouts were not easy.

“I was intimidated by the work at first. It was really hard,” said Veach. “But every day I practiced and got better, and it’s paid off.”

Kendall now spends most of her summer participating on traveling softball teams. She is in her fifth year with the Bama Babes, a 12-and-under fastpitch team.

“I like softball better than the beach,” said Veach.

“Kendall is a very, very versatile player. You can put her anywhere,” said Tommy Hunt, owner of the Bama Babes. “She’s a team player and does what’s best for the team.”

Hunt holds Selma’s softball system in high esteem, and usually has one or two Selma products on his roster.

“From what I’ve seen, the system is really good,” said Hunt. “I like Selma and Selma talent.”

The Bama Babes played in the Alabama Sports Festival softball tournament in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday. They played two games Friday, and then had to play four Saturday after falling into the losers’ bracket.

In their final game Saturday evening, they were put out of the tournament when they lost to the Gardendale Aces.