Cinderella story

by Matthew Ondesko, Managing Editor

It’s never easy trying g to decide where you want to spend the next four years of your life. There is a lot that goes into a decision that big.

There are countless hours researching schools that might be a good fit for you, both academically and athletically. You can do as much do-diligence as you would like, but sometimes it comes down to a feeling.

The feeling of this place being the right fit for me. When you step on campus you just know that you are meant to be here. Still, the recruiting process is not an easy one. A player needs to basically promote themselves in hopes that they get seen by a college coach.

St. Mary’s High School softball player Brooke Dobson knows what it’s like on the recruit trail. The standout catcher for the Lancers was out there sending tapes, and giving her travel schedule, to coaches hoping they would come to a game and check her out.

In the end, Dobson’s play on the field, and in the classroom, helped her narrow her choices down to two schools. While it was a tough choice, Dobson decided to further her academic, and athletic, career at Clarion.

There she just felt right at home as soon as she got on campus, and when she met the girls from the team.

“Making the decision on where to attend for the next four years was a little difficult. I went to check out a few schools before knowing Clarion was it for me. It ultimately came down to U Albany and Clarion. After my official visit to Albany I knew Clarion was a better fit. I know the main goal at the end of four years is my education and I felt I would thrive in a smaller school setting,” stated Dobson. “I visited a few schools before deciding Clarion was the best fit. The campus was beautiful and not too far from home. They had the program I wanted to pursue and of course softball. Coach Pullo and the girls, made me feel like this is where I belong. Personally, I do not like being away from home. With Coach Pullo being from Buffalo, I found a feeling a home within her.”

Seeing Dobson play on the field, you can tell what type of player Clarion is getting. She is fiery when she needs to be, but also she is bringing some positive energy to the game each time she steps behind the plate.

That’s why she was named a captain this past season. Something she took to heart. She just didn’t wear the “C” and do nothing. She was helping the younger girls get used to playing varsity softball in a very competitive Monsignor Martin.

Dobson isn’t the yeller. She isn’t going to get in your face and scream at you. That’s not how she gets her point across. Dobson is all about positive attitude. PMA, Positive, Mental, Attitude, can get you far just not on the softball diamond, but in life as well.

“I try to always bring something positive to the game. Being able to fire the team up and keep them motivated is key. Knowing what we are trying to accomplish as a team and having my pitcher trust in me enough to confidently throw,” stated Dobson. “Yes! I had the honor of being a captain this year. I took everything I learned during my high school career and hopefully was able to make a difference. I hope this year I was able to teach the younger girls to stay positive. Knowing that it’s okay to make a mistake and let it roll. Knowing you’re not going to hit every time you’re up to bat and it’s okay. Always cheer! Always. You can turn a lot of games around by being a positive force and never give up! Fight till the end. We made it to States this year and everyone thought we wouldn’t. PMA! Positive Mental Attitude. It’ll carry you far in the game and in life.”

Catching, just like in life, can throw you some curveballs. Dobson has been a mainstay behind the plate for the Lancers, so she is used to the daily grind that a catcher goes through. Being behind the plate has to be one of the most grueling positions in all of softball.

Catchers take a beating. Fouls balls have a way to find the places that aren’t covered by equipment. They are also catching games in 85 degree weather, sometimes twice a day if it’s a tournament.

Dobson knows her body. She knows what will work, and what won’t, when it comes to keeping herself healthy. She is regularly at the gym, and does extra things to keep her body fresh for her high school season that just passed, and a grueling travel ball season that can see a team play up to 60 plus games a summer.

“I go to the gym and workout regularly. I practice and take lessons. You learn your body,” stated Dobson. “Knowing the mechanics has kept me pretty much injury free. I have been doing some PT to help keep me good. And ice! Lots of ice.”

Dobson is also a student of the game. There are times she will need to learn a few different pitchers throughout a season. She makes sure that she is on the same page with them from the start.

Being familiar with what a pitcher wants to do will just help out more in the long run. It will allow Dobson to catch a better game, which in turns gives her team more success.

“I have caught for quite a few pitchers. Once you learn their style it’s little adjustments. It’s trust. Being able to get up for a rise ball or down to block on a drop. After a few warm up pitches I can usually get their routine down so they can confidently throw,” stated Dobson. “Know your signs and be able to execute. This is huge. This could be the difference between winning and losing a game.”

Patience is key no matter what in the game of softball. Whether she is behind the plate, or in the box, Dobson always has a plan. When she is up to the plate, she knows exactly what she wants to do when it comes to game situations.

Not every situation calls for her to swing for the fences. It might call for her to move the runner over, or do a hit and run. Before she steps in the box, she is watching what the opting pitcher is throwing. What their go to pitch is. She is seeing how her teammates are going up there and attacking the pitcher.

So, when it’s her time, she knows what she wants to do, and what pitch to go after.

“I make sure to step in the box with a plan. I watch when my teammates are at bat and look for the go to pitch. I’ll try to time it out in my head. Each girl will let you know what to watch for whether it be speed, curve, spin, rise or drop. Once I’m in the box I try to be selective and wait for my pitch,” stated Dobson. “Learning to be patient and selective with your pitches. Know that everyone goes through slumps but keep working eventually it ends and it’s like hitting the ball for the first time all over. Never miss batting practice.”

Batting practice came in handy during their three-game championship series with Nardin for the MMA title earlier in the spring. Down one to game to none, it would have been easy for Dobson, and St. Mary’s to just role over.

After all, Nardin was boasting Division I talent on the mound, and in the field. Nardin was the favorite to take home the title. No one, except St. Mary’s, expected the Lancers to pull the upset and get to the states.

But, that’s exactly what they did. They took care of business in game two and three to win the series 2-1 and take home the Monsignor Martin title. While the story book ending didn’t end with a state title, it was still a grey accomplishment for Dobson, and her teammates.

“Nardin was expected to win. We lost both games to them in regular season and also the 1st game of the finals. We did not give up. We knew we could do it. Nardin’s biggest mistake was counting us out. We have a lot of great talent on our team. We came together and fought hard and proved we deserved it,” stated Dobson. “When we beat Nardin to go to states it was insane! We graduated and walked the stage Thursday and had to get on a plane super early to meet up with the team in NYC to play Friday. Talk about a whirlwind Cinderella story. Just an incredible way to end my high school senior year.”