For ASU senior shortstop Katelyn Boyd, the chance to play on the national stage was just too amazing to pass up.
The probable No. 1 overall pick in this year’s National Pro Fastpitch Draft, as ranked by College Sports Madness, withdrew her name, focusing instead on the chance to represent her country in this summer’s World Cup of Softball.
As for her prospects for making the team, senior Annie Lockwood said that was simple.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Katelyn is going to make it,” Lockwood said. “It’s her work ethic and outlook on softball and life in general. She’s probably one of the hardest working players I have ever met … People really look to her for advice or as a leader by example.”
Boyd’s outlook is driven partly by her faith, which she says has kept her on a “straight and narrow” track in her time at ASU.
“I play because God has given me an extreme talent, and he can easily take that away from me,” Boyd said. “So I go out there every day, and I play like it’s my last. I have extreme confidence in that I know that whatever happens, happens for a reason.”
Boyd said this has made her more aware of how she is going to respond to whatever occurs while still maintaining her competitive desire.
A game against rival UA on April 3, 2010, was a defining moment that helped her shape this mentality.
A sophomore at the time, Boyd committed two errors and went 0–2 in the batter’s box in a 14–2 loss.
“I had a weak moment, and I kind of lost it on the field,” Boyd said. “Since then, I have felt terrible about it … I just felt like all eyes were on me, and I’m uncomfortable with that feeling. I don’t like the spotlight. I just kind of lost it, and I was embarrassed.”
Boyd put that behind her to complete one of the greatest seasons by a player in ASU softball history. Her .415 batting average, 15 homeruns and 27 stolen bases were all among the top 10 for single season records.
That level of maturity is expected from a senior who has grown into one of the best players in program history.
“That is something just like watching your kid grow,” coach Clint Myers said. “There were some (tough) times that freshman year, but that’s exactly what freshmen do. They learn. You learn how to cope. You learn how to take care of yourself.
“She’s done a great job with all of that. The kid plays hurt … She’s an outstanding person and an outstanding athlete.”
Boyd’s accomplishments have put her in the running for many achievements, including the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. She is one of 10 finalists for the award that considers the on and off-field accolades achieved by softball seniors.
Still, any award Boyd earns will be just a footnote if she can realize her dream of making it on the national team.
Right now there are five spots up for grabs and 12 players already on the roster.
The selection camp takes place June 10 to 12, right after the Women’s College World Series. Thus, how the players compete this year will likely play a large role in who is selected.
Boyd shrugs aside this pressure.
“I’m pretty easy about it,” Boyd said. “I have no worries. I look at it as I have been given an opportunity to represent my country. I am going to go try out or compete or perform to the best of my ability. If I make it, I make it. If I don’t, I move on and something else will be waiting for me.”
The decision to drop out of the draft presented some difficulties to Boyd.
She talked to a few people about her options, but it ultimately came down to advice from a familiar ASU name that helped her decide.
Katie Cochran has played both at the professional level and also for the national team.
“She was honest with me from her experiences,” Boyd said. “I said, ‘What do you think? What would you do if you were me?’ She said, ‘You can’t really go wrong either way, and you can always do both.’
“From there, it was a lot of praying, thinking and what I felt the most comfortable with. Right now, it’s U.S.A.”
Reach the reporter at jjmckelv@asu.edu
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