Kamrie Rich sets to receive a pitch versus GPS earlier this season. Rich, a sophomore at Baylor, has already committed to play her college ball at Lipscomb University in Nashville. A starter since the eighth grade for the defending Division II-AA champs, her coach calls her the "quarterback of the team."
photo by Dennis Norwood/File
Kamrie Rich is enjoying the time of her life these days.
She’s an outgoing 16-year-old student at the Baylor School who’s in the midst of her sophomore year, but she’s already decided where she’s planning to attend college and what career path she wants to follow.
She came to Baylor in the sixth grade. She played volleyball, basketball and softball at the start, but is focusing more on softball these days as she’s been the starting catcher for the Lady Red Raiders since the eighth grade.
She’s the quarterback of the team, you might say, as she’s one of the most vital members of the team and is literally involved in every pitch.
And despite the fact that she still has two more years after this one, she has already committed to play softball in college at Lipscomb University in Nashville.
Rich had attracted interest from a number of schools, among others Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Kentucky, ETSU, MTSU, Tennessee Tech and UTC, but her mind was quickly made up after making a visit to the popular school that competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
“I went there for a softball camp and really liked my experience. I knew that was the school for me,” the daughter of Kevin and Lisa Rich said earlier this week while relaxing on the porch outside Barks Hall looking across the valley at a picturesque view of the Tennessee River and Williams Island.
“I just felt like Lipscomb was the right place for me as the atmosphere is special. It will give me a chance to grow in all aspects of my life,” she suggested.
Her academic plans are to major in kinesiology with intentions on one day becoming a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
“I know that’s a tough subject, but I’ll be prepared for it after going to school here. I make pretty good grades here, but I also spend a lot of time in the library studying. It’s been a life-changing experience here at Baylor,” Rich said in a quiet way.
“I have learned a lot about the game of softball. I get bored easily, so that’s why I like to catch so much. My goal is to go unnoticed at my position, but I’ve continued to get better,” she nodded.
Kelli Smith is the head coach for the Baylor softball team and has coached more than her share of great players, many of whom have gone on to play at the next level.
Rich is just the next one in line.
“I remember her first day as a sixth grader when she just took over our softball practice. She has great vocal leadership qualities and that’s what you want for a catcher. We really had a void to fill when Cassie Pickett graduated, but Kamrie has filled those shoes nicely,” Smith said later.
“She’s really come on in the last couple of seasons. From a defensive standpoint, she’s very good at what she does and she can block a ball as well as any catcher I’ve ever had.
She’s definitely our leader behind the plate and I want someone like that to be in charge.
“She started her first game as an eighth grader and has been our starter since. It’s really unusual for a catcher or pitcher to be a starter so young, but she’s involved in every single pitch. She’s a true student of the game and she’s always working to learn and improve, but her best softball is yet to come,” the veteran coach added.
Tom Watson is an assistant coach on the Baylor softball team who also is a veteran in the sport.
“I’m almost positive Kamrie will have caught more games in Baylor history by the time she graduates. I’ve never known another eighth grader who started every game,” Watson said.
“She’s a young player who has gotten better every year, but softball is her passion and has been for a long time. She’s a thinker on the field and a great opposite-field hitter. And she’s a presence behind the plate who throws as well from her knees as anyone I’ve ever coached.
“I’m really proud of her for the decision she made about going to Lipscomb. She wants to go where she can play immediately and she’ll get that chance there. She doesn’t need to play for a bigger school to be successful. Most just want an education and a chance to play and she’s going to get that.
“She’s made a great decision and I’m happy for her, but I look forward to having her around for the next couple of years,” he concluded.
Rich batted .448 as an eighth grader with two doubles, two triples and 26 runs batted in. She hit .368 last year with seven doubles, three home runs and 21 RBIs, so she has deceptive power and she rarely strikes out.
She is the fifth member of Baylor’s team who will play softball in college.
Crosby Huckabay will be going to Georgia Tech while Kayla Hughes is headed to Tennessee Tech and Mari Gardner to Coast Guard. Cheyenne Lindsey will eventually play at Florida while Rich is going to Lipscomb.
Baylor is the defending D-II state champ and has won four of the past five state titles after finishing runner-up in 2014.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)
Baylor's Kamrie Rich handles a low pitch against Silverdale Baptist Academy earlier this season. Rich's coach, Kelli Smith, says about her, "She’s definitely our leader behind the plate and I want someone like that to be in charge."
photo by Dennis Norwood/File