It's amazing how far sports can take a person. For one talented former Amesbury softball player, that journey is still far from over.
University of Maine standout Ashley Waters, 22, has been the best softball player on every team she has competed on. Waters' list of accolades and hefty statistic lines seem endless.
Last season, the Black Bears second baseman led the team with a .352 batting average, 33 runs scored, 30 RBIs and 10 home runs, while smashing 11 doubles and one triple.
She was named as her team's captain and MVP, an Academic All-American with a lofty 3.7 grade-point average and was also honored as the America East Conference player of the year.
Waters' modesty is unflappable and certainly welcome in an era of such high-antic flamboyance. The right-hander has become a staple for all girls with a desire to play softball and who wish to follow their dreams of diamond glory.
Like a true professional, Waters has an infatuation with the sport she plays so well. Whether she's helping out at camps, putting in some extra batting practice or making sure she's in Division 1 softball shape, Waters plays year-round. And the new team she's playing with has a specific requisite — you have to be the best.
The Stratford Brakettes are a veritable softball juggernaut. It is a team consisting of the best the nation has to offer in amateur/professional softball that faces any and all comers looking to compete against the nation's best. After Waters' UMaine coaches made a few calls to the Stratford program, it was only a matter of time before the Brakettes staff enlisted Waters as their new utility player.
Waters, who has spent time at second base and left and right field, has done nothing but impress.
After a careful examination of the Brakettes statistic chart, it's become quite clear that Waters is unquestionably the team's rookie of the year and is arguably the team's most productive player. Up to this point, she leads the team in RBIs (30) and triples (5), is second in runs (33), hits (42) and doubles (11), and leads the team in batting average with an impressive .408.
Waters takes it all in stride.
"I've always been a confident player," said Waters, who enjoys hanging at the beach when she has the spare time. "I work really hard and trust my abilities, but I think the fact that I have all of this unbelievable talent surrounding me is really the key to my success.
"It takes a lot of pressure off when you know the people ahead and behind you will get the job done regardless of how you perform," said Waters. "But I play hard and work hard no matter what. I always play to the best of my ability and I feel if you aren't putting your whole heart into something, then why bother doing it?"
Olympic team threatens perfect record
The Brakettes aren't just good, they're undefeated. This slugging and pitching machine is currently 36-0 — a record that seems to indicate that this Connecticut-based squad will most likely repeat as national champions and further solidify their status as the largest dynasty in softball history.
"We have hand-picked girls from across the country playing on this team," explained Waters, who is a communications student with a minor in child development. "This team has a huge tradition and an incredible history, and to just be part of it is incredible. Winning the way we are, it's the best feeling in the world."
But a crackling storm cloud looms in the horizon, and it carries the girth and weight of names like Jessica Mendoza, Tairia Flowers, Crystl Busto, and Jennie Finch. This Sunday the Brakettes will face the most vaunted softball unit in the world in the Beijing-bound Olympic gold winning USA softball team.
When asked about the reality that she will soon be facing some of her idols, Waters couldn't contain her gusto.
"I'm elated," she said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and since this is supposedly the last Olympic softball team, to play them before they go over to China is amazing. "
Despite her adoration for her soon-to-be adversaries, Waters maintains that there will be no star-struck glances once the game begins.
"We're going at it to win," said Waters, who has aspirations of coaching Division 1 college softball and perhaps trying her skill overseas. "We can kind of relate to them as far as always having a target on our backs, but these are the best players in the world, and we want nothing more than to make history."
Stratford's coach of 30 years, John Stratton, is excited about the matchup and knows that his girls will be facing perhaps the most talented sisterhood of softball players the world has ever seen.
"It's going to be a challenge," said Stratton on the team's Web site. "They have some of the best players to have ever played the game on their roster, and don't forget that they have been touring together for the past seven months on their Bound for Beijing tour.
"Our kids are definitely looking forward to this. This is what softball is all about: playing against the best. It doesn't get any better than this."
When asked who would have been Waters' driving influences throughout her career, a familiar list of names popped up — her parents and siblings and Amesbury head coach Chris Perry. The latter of which is excited for his former ace and believes Waters will handle the elite competition while opening a few eyes in the process.
"Ashley is certainly a great athlete and she has had a tremendous passion for the game ever since she was a little kid," said Perry. "Now she's playing at the highest level and playing out her dream.
"It's been a great honor knowing Ashley, because you don't always get the chance to coach a kid like that," said Perry. "We have a very similar thought process in that we always have our eyes on the prize. Ashley's just a natural competitor.
"I think she'll handle this upcoming game as another great opportunity. Some people would be really nervous, but with Ashley, she always wants to do her best. She was a joy to coach."
