Unsung Hero: Softball Senior Danielle Bellamy

senior Danielle Bellamy will be going to Penn State Berks next year to study secondary education. Her hope is to become a history teacher, and during her studies, it is likely that her softball career will be over.

What you might not have known is that Bellamy has been playing softball for most of her life, loving the sport all the way, despite being cut from the seventh, eighth and ninth grade teams.

"It's something I've always loved to do," Bellamy said, who is receiving this week's Unsung Hero honors. "My dad got me into it when I was younger. When seventh grade came along, I wanted to try out. So, I did, but I got cut that year. It didn't really affect me. So, I said I'd try harder next year. Same thing happened and again in ninth grade."

Then Bellamy's 10th grade season came around and the coaches announced there were no cuts. Making the team that year gave her the advantage for her junior season.

"Last year as a junior was the first year I was able to make the team on my own and I was really excited about that," said Bellamy. "I just really love playing this game. In a weird way, it relaxes me a little bit. I just really like it and I kept on playing."

Softball is the only sport Bellamy plays, mostly on the junior varsity squad, although she has made some varsity appearances this year as well. Head coach Tim Hughes said she is a class act type of player.

"She is one of those special breeds that you don't find too much," Hughes said. "She's a senior and is just as much a part of the program as anybody else playing varsity and J.V. Most seniors are going to say, 'I'm not playing J.V.' or 'My dad says I'm better than that.' Whatever the case may be, she just loves the game of softball and loves to play."

A big part of Bellamy's persistence can be attributed to a fantastic group of girls that she plays with. She said her team and coaches are all "awesome."

"Throughout practices, everyone helps each other out," she said. "Sometimes if I'm not batting well, the girls tell me to try different things and give me different pointers. They all love the game too. Coaching is awesome too. They're always there to help you and get you through the game. They are just really awesome people."

Bellamy also paid homage to the school district, which has paved the way for her future. She said the district has given her the best education and that College Career Coordinator Maren Trout helped her extensively in choosing the best option for her college choice. Bellamy also has enjoyed her time as a student, attending many football games and indulging in all of the Homecoming fun over the years.

Overall, she is hopeful that future generations can realize they can achieve anything they want.

"Just keep trying," Bellamy recited as a tip to her successors. "If you really love it, just keep doing it. Like me, you will eventually make something for yourself."

Bellamy also thanked her parents for helping her believe that mantra. Hughes reiterated Bellamy's passion for the game and her special qualities.

"For her to appreciate what she's doing and where she's at, she's the epitome of a fantastic team player," Hughes said. "She loves to play the game. You don't have that too often anymore. Everybody wants to play for scholarship or all-league. Not her. She just wants to play the game and that's special. There's not a lot of individual athletes that are like that anymore."