By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Quinn Camp and Miranda Sanderson noted some of the attributes that led to their daughter Kelsey Camp signing Dec. 10 in the Brighton Gymnasium Lobby.
The parents said Kelsey is extremely intelligent and hard working in the classroom and on the softball field. But the main characteristic that landed her on the signing roster of the Dyersburg State Lady Eagles was her being so “hard-headed.”
That stubbornness helped Kelsey overcome the COVID setbacks in recruitment and narrowed her focus on an institution where she could play her freshman year of college.
“There were a lot of teams reaching out for her,” Quinn recalled. “We had Georgia Tech reaching out. Ole Miss had reached out and Middle Tennessee State reached out. She’s a ballplayer but as a freshman she wants to hit the field next year.
“She knows softball isn’t going to go any further,” he added. “She wants to play right now, get knowledge in her head and build on her career. And a free ride she was not going to turn that down. Plus it’s closer to home and I get to watch more games.”
The family who watched numerous varsity, middle school and travel softball games was on hand for the signing day. Also present were Dyersburg Head Coach George White and Brighton Skipper Robin Jacobs.
“Ever since she’s been here in the ninth grade she’s been trustworthy,” Jacobs said of Kelsey. “She’s going to play shortstop this year. She had moved to third because we didn’t have one. She did a really good job for us there. She’s a really good hitter and she’ll produce for us this year. We’re expecting really big things out of her.”
Kelsey’s development to the college level took her parents investing money and time. Quinn said the decision was made easier watching his little girl gravitate to the sport.
“It’s been a long process and a lot of progress,” he said. “But I always knew she had the talent to do this one day. She’s a great softball player and I am proud of her.”
Then came March 2020 and the global pandemic. Not only losing most of her sophomore, another issue developed for Kelsey.
“We played less tournaments in travel ball,” Sanderson recalled. “We lost exposure.”
“She was on the field as much as she could be,” Quinn added. “Yes it was difficult.”
Sanderson said the saving grace for Kelsey during the process was the game she loves.
“She was concerned because she wants to be on the field every time she can,” she said. “So she hated missing out on some of the tournaments and some of the playing. But she did well. She was a trooper through it all.
“We did the best we could with what we had,” Sanderson added. “She’s consistently on the field whether off days just hitting. Whether it’s the driveway hitting into the net or at the field taking infield. It’s everyday.”
Sticking to her desires of wanting to play as soon as possible on the collegiate level, Camp got the answer to her prayers.
“The coach reached out to me,” Kelsey recalled. “Then I went out for a tour. Then my family and I thought it would be a good fit for me.
“I was scared that I would be sitting on the bench because a lot of the players were coming back taking up a year or two,” she continued. “So that did stress me out.”
But Kelsey was comfortable with the Lady Eagles and the program after her visit. To make her desire to play at Dyersburg stronger, her Brighton teammate and best friend Timily David inked a letter of intent to join the Lady Eagles in 2022.
“I know my roommate so it won’t be awkward trying to get to know somebody else,” Kelsey said. “It feels great and I am ready to go play softball at Dyersburg.”
Before the middle infield duo departs Tipton County, Jacobs said the duo has a little bit of business to take care of for the Lady Cardinals by reaching State.
Then he will gladly let Coach White enjoy his special gifts.
“They’re getting a steal with both of them,” he concluded. “They’re getting two really good ballplayers.”
