As part of the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program, we are pleased to recognize Heart of America League (HFL) Catcher, Cameron Chard of Catalyst 16U National (Smyth) as the Senior Player of the Month for her outstanding performance in January.

Chard had a standout month at the plate with a .600 batting average. The 2024 Minnesota commit closed the month with an impressive 1.200 OPS, 1 RBI, and 3 singles. Chard was also selected for Team USA U-16 Junior National Team

Tell us a bit about your softball story! How’d you get started in the sport?

I didn’t start playing softball til 3rd grade before that I golfed and when the golf course in our town closed I was unable to play and was left to pick a different sport. At that young age softball was the closest thing to golf and all my friends played so I tried out for our association team and have been in love with it ever since.

What has been your favorite softball memory?

My favorite softball memory is my first time playing in Colorado at the Sparkler Tournament, where I had one of my best offensive tournaments of that year while having major D1 college coaches watch me perform and hit multiple homeruns.

Who is your favorite softball player?

Taylor Pleasants

What do you like to do outside of softball?

Outside of softball I enjoy weightlifting, spending time with family, traveling to new places, and trying new and delicious foods in those places.

What are some of your current goals – both on and off the field? (Softball, school, other athletics, related, etc. all welcomed!)

My current goals right now for softball are to hit Exit Velo PR of 90mph, in the weight room max my deadlift PR to 500lbs, and for academics continue to hold my 4.0 GPA.

Coaches Feedback (Erika Smyth)

Tell us a bit about your athlete? As a player, person, etc.

Cameron has been a part of our program since she was a 12U athlete. Cam is without a doubt a relentless competitor, learner, athlete, and leader. Not only does she get it done on the diamond, but she is an exceptional student and person. Her success story will follow her beyond her time with Catalyst and her future with the Minnesota Gophers.

Do you have a favorite memory or moment of this athlete?

It is hard for me to pick a favorite moment with Cam from our past 5 years of working together. I think if I could pick one time where I felt beyond proud of her outside of her athletic success, it was when we had the opportunity to sit together and speak amongst a group of very incredible women, both leaders of their clubs and high school athletes that participate in the Alliance League. I was (and still am) so impressed with the way she spoke her mind and expressed her feelings towards the state of the youth softball world and how we can make softball better.

Is there anything else you’d like to share, include, or that we should know?

Cameron is committed to the University of Minnesota and had dreams to become a Gopher when she was 12 years old. Despite meeting that goal recently as a 2024 athlete after September 1, she has continued to work hard, shatter PR’s, expectations, and create a new standard for softball athletes in Minnesota and the Midwest.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.