Ford ready to take her game to the next level

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

Former Pittsburgh Pirates utility player Benny DiStefano was the last left-handed catcher in the Major Leagues. Left-handed catchers are something of a rare bread in baseball circles. No one really knows why, they just are.

In softball, left-handed catchers are becoming more of a thing. As you look through the high school, and collegiate ranks, you are starting to see more and more lefties behind the plate. In the past, there was a thought of it being a disadvantage.

That framing pitches, and getting the pitch from the umpire, was going to be harder than it is for the traditional right-handed catcher. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you set up behind the plate right or left-handed. All that matters is you are the type of player that the coaches, and team, can count on.

When it comes to being counted on, no one can be counted on more than Frontier High School’s Julia Ford. Ford has been a mainstay behind the plate for the Falcons. She takes the job of being a catcher very serious .

She just doesn’t suit up and get behind the plate. Ford makes sure she is thinking the same way as her pitchers are. If that means staying after practice and working on her craft than so be it. She want’s to be the best player every time she steps on the field.

“Catchers and pitchers both are expected to put in additional work, as they are the two most important positions on the field. During practices, pitchers and catchers are often together and spend even more time together at pitching lessons,” stated Ford. “As a catcher, at least in my eyes, it is important to always listen and gain understanding of the corrections that the pitchers receive from their coach, so we can help them in the most efficient way possible. I have found that the more time that a catcher and pitcher spend together working towards improvement can lead to both players becoming more accustomed and familiar to each other. Surely, this creates a state of trust and unity, which is where most players find their success.”

It’s also a very demanding job both mentality and physically. Catching is not for the week. A lot of people think that catcher just sits behind the plate and squats all the game, if it was only that easy.

A catcher has to make sure they are on the same page with the pitchers, and that’s just the start off it. They have to gun down the runners if they are trying to steal. The have to jump up and get bunts and so on. Catching is not for the faint of heart.

“Catching is a very demanding position in both the mental and physical aspects. It is understood that you are the leader of the team. The catcher is the only position that can see the entire field and defensive awareness is an absolute essential,” stated Ford. “You’re expected to be vocal at all times, which ranges from instructing your teammates to supporting them throughout every play. Your judgement in all plays is paramount, so It's important to keep your emotions in check as not to hinder your thought process. A common myth is that catchers stay in one crouching position for the entirety of the game, which could not be less accurate. We are constantly blocking and jumping in front of pitches; recklessly throwing our bodies at the softball. Additionally, we often have to retrieve bunts or pop ups that are hit close to the plate.”

Ford know to be able to compete daily she needs to take care of herself. With a short high school season in Western New York, games are usually played back to back or four games in five days.

That is a lot of stress being put on the body. Ford knows she needs to take care of herself before and after games to make sure she is healthy, and ready to go, when the coaches call on her.

“To be in the best position to master these tasks, you must possess speed, agility, and mobility. Over time, the constant movement of the position can exhaust you, so it's important to rest your muscles properly. After games, the first thing I do is stretch out my legs to prevent soreness or tightness. It's also important to get adequate sleep at night, especially during varsity season. In failure to do so, this can really alter both your mental and physical game for the worst,” explained Ford. “Another attribute that catching requires is an abundance of strength, including but not limited to, arm strength, core strength, and leg strength. I spend 3-4 times per week at Impact Fitness Systems (IFS Performance) in Hamburg to develop and maintain body strength. The gym is facilitated by well-educated trainers who make personalized programs for me so I can safely achieve the strength I need to carry out my all-important job behind the dish.”

When she isn’t behind the plate, Ford is a dangerous hitter, and runner. She is a total package when it comes to a softball player. She can play the position and rake when called upon. You could call her a classic overachiever, and she’s fine with that. She knows she has a reputation to uphold.

In the batters box Ford likes to clear her mind. It doesn’t matter what she did during her last bat, that means nothing. All that matters is what she is going to be when she steps up the plate the next time up.

“Have spent my life as a constant over-achiever, so I recognize that my work is not done. I have a reputation to upkeep, so I always want to perform at the top of my game,” stated Ford. “As I step up to the plate, I actually tend to clear my mind from any lingering thoughts. My only goal is to put the ball in play - which is much easier to do with a clear mind. The most vital point for me is that whatever I did in my last at bat, whether it was a ground out, a walk, or a home run - is gone. Each at bat is a new opportunity, entirely separate from the last.”

Everything Ford has done during her high school, and travel ball career, has had college coaches noticing. Ford is one of the best softball players in WNY and went through the recruiting process just like everyone else.

During the process Ford learned a lot about her herself as a players, and person. What she learned the most was is if you wanted it bad enough than you need to go out and get it. No one is going to hand you a college scholarship. No one is going to hand you a roster spot. Ford knows she has to go out there every day and earn the right to play.

“The main thing I learned throughout the recruitment process is that if you want something, it’s on you to get yourself out there. In the recruitment world, you have to make yourself visible,” stated Ford. :As basic as it sounds, this taught me that anything I desire in life is attainable through hard work and dedication. For me, this included contacting coaches, sending out my tournament schedule, and going to camps.”

When it came to finally making on a decision where to play, Ford had options. The one school that stood out was St. Bonaventure University. The small Catholic school in Olean, NY is a hidden gem when it comes to college athletics.

While the softball team has struggled the past couple of years, there is a lot of talent that has started to trickle in as the Bonnies look to make that next jump in the Atlantic 10.

“St. Bonaventure truly is a hidden gem to say the least. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to be down on campus (especially in the fall), you know that the foliage is absolutely breathtaking. Most of the buildings, facilities, and sports fields overlook the Allegheny Foothills. My love for the school goes beyond the physical aspects of the campus, however,” explained Ford. “When I was 9 years old, one of my first ever tournaments was in Olean. Before playing in the games, I had the opportunity to step foot on the Bonnies softball turf for the first time. At that moment, it became evident that I could find a home there. Since then, honestly, I have dedicated myself to make that possible. I have attended every Saint Bonaventure University softball camp since eighth grade, and through this, I got to know Coach Mike Threehouse. I always knew I wanted to be coached by an individual with strong morals. After many interactions with him, I realized that he fits that mold.”

College coaches just aren’t interested in what you can do on the field, they are also interested in what you can do in the classroom. Most coaches will ask you how your grades are. They see you all the time on the field. They know if you are a good fit for the program when it comes to competing on the field.

But, if you can’t stay eligible what’s the point.

“When getting to know a player, one of the first questions a college coach will ask a player is their GPA. This is because a coach might be able to offer a player with higher grades more money to play ball at the school. As an athlete this is important because student loans are a real thing, so any money you can get, you should go out to get. At the end of the day, you're not at the school just to play a sport, you're there to get an education and set yourself up for a lifelong career. That is why it is so very important for me stay on top of my school work and studies, and to give my best effort in school,” explains Ford. “However, balancing school, sports, and other activities can be extremely difficult; 1 should know more than anyone. Besides school and softball, I play six instruments, coach, go to the gym regularly, do my part as an active member in six school clubs (which includes a foreign language mentoring program), and I also play varsity and travel soccer. Additionally (and admittedly my favorite), I am the Falcon mascot for my school. When faced with many tasks all at once, I tackle them with the all-important skill of time management, which is essential to learn if you desire to play a sport in college. Once you are a student-athlete in college, you are responsible for the upkeep of your grades, as well as attendance to all practices, lifts, and team events. Focusing in school, playing sports and getting involved in high school has put me on the right path for anything that'll follow in my life.”