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07/13/2023 08:08 AMGianna Fowler did not take too kindly to her first physical endeavor with regards to sports, though the second time was actually the charm for her as softball has been a passion that has yet to leave her side.
The East Haven softball team junior catcher first started off with ballet and, as she recalls, Gianna, “hated it.” From there, her aunt encouraged her mother to put Gianna in the Foxon Recreation League for softball and the rest was history, with Gianna still currently playing for the 18U Wildcats.
As her softball career continued to unfold, Gianna was a sensational backstop behind home plate for the Yellowjackets this spring as she notched conference recognition by being named First Team All-SCC with East Haven. She additionally led the team in doubles (10), hits (28), batting average (.444), RBI (21), and homers (5).
“For me with softball, the team aspect was great. It was just making more friends, seeing new people, and just getting out there drew me to it,” says Gianna. “Definitely a lot of practice helped me. [East Haven softball Head Coach Ed Crisafi] had us out there practicing every day, but I loved it. My teammates and family backing me up also helped me get to where I am now. I thought earning All-SCC was crazy and unexpected, but it showed me my hard work paid off and meant something. It helped me understand where I am now with how much work I have put into it.”
Whenever Gianna grabs the ball to make those show-stopping throws to nail down aspiring base stealers, she feels an adrenaline rush that gravitates towards the remainder of the field and dugout. In a game of averages, she knows miscues are inevitable, but she quickly pushes it aside with a short memory.
“I love throwing down and getting people out. It gets your energy and excitement level up. My energy has an effect on the team, so that excitement after making those throws is the best part of catching. It is like being the quarterback out there,” Gianna says. “It can be tough when I mess up or miss a throw. I can get on myself, but I take a deep breath and tell myself to move to the next play and brush it off.”
One crucial component of Gianna’s game she has noticed a marked improvement in is her ability to bond with her battery mates in the circle. She adds that it is not just calling balls and strikes, but additionally keeping a consistent positive momentum through each outing.
“Gaining bonds with pitchers is where I have seen my biggest improvement,” says Gianna. “It is very important to know your pitchers as a catcher and also understand they will have on and off days and on and off pitches. A big part of the mental game is to help keep them in the game, build off of their good pitches, and give mental support to them.”
As an upperclassman leader for the club, Gianna recalls it was choppy waters at first, but she rode out the waves to forge formidable friendships with the upstarts on the Yellowjackets’ squad.
“Being an upperclassman in a leadership type of spot at the beginning of the year was stressful, but getting to know the younger girls got easier as the season went on,” says Gianna. “I gained more of an understanding of them, along with having patience.”
Gianna has garnered a great deal of synergy through her travels along the basepaths–gaining experience about learning how each individual’s tendencies can help bolster the fortunes towards attaining the team’s goals.
“Softball is a very demanding sport; you need to be into everything on every play,” says Gianna. “I have learned a lot about patience, understanding other people, and how they act. Softball has helped me with all of that. Talking to players when you can see they are having a rough day also helps with getting to know them better.”
Crisafi explains that while Gianna has been a mainstay in the Yellowjackets’ clubhouse since her freshman year, she has additionally made the most of her time by exponentially increasing her abilities and attributes.
“Gianna has been a three-year starter for us. She was a designated player/catcher her freshman and sophomore years and was a full-time catcher as a junior,” says Crisafi. “Without a doubt, she is one of our hardest working players, as she improved in all aspects of the catching game each year.”
Aspiring to get into a facet of the medical field beyond high school, Gianna is eager to return to a team that doubled as a secondary home for her this past spring—with every little laugh and light-hearted moment making an impact.
“One of my goals is to get into college and go into either physical therapy or nursing. I also want to keep playing softball,” Gianna says. “This year’s team felt more like a family. We all got along well and jived together. We all made everything fun. Even the small things, like joking before we started practices, made it feel more like a family.”