Natalie Donaldson Named HFL Player of the Month for July

Natalie Donaldson’s softball journey begins at the age of six, inspired by her weekends spent at the ball field watching her dad coach her brother’s baseball team. Growing up in a baseball-loving family, she is drawn to the sport and never looks back. Motivated by the players on her brother’s team, she tries out for youth softball and quickly falls in love with the game.

One of Natalie’s cherished softball memories is winning the 16U Power Pool at the Colorado Sparkler, a significant achievement that stands out in her career.

Her favorite player is Maya Brady, whose skill and passion inspire her on the field. When Natalie isn’t playing softball, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, heading to the beach, and going shopping.

Currently, Natalie’s goals reflect her desire for both personal and athletic growth. Off the field, she focuses on helping the younger generation, giving back to where she started by providing lessons and guidance. Academically, she aims to finish high school with a 4.0 GPA. On the field, she is preparing for college by improving her bat control, learning to read the defense, and enhancing her ability to adjust her hitting based on how she is being defended. She also strives to receive all-state recognition for the third consecutive year.

Natalie’s coach, Rodney Robeson, describes her as a powerhouse on the field, with unmatched focus and determination. As a teammate, she is selfless and always prioritizes the team’s success. Off the field, her dedication to her academics is just as impressive, as she balances the demands of being a student-athlete with ease. Natalie’s involvement in the softball community extends to mentoring younger players at the Turnin2 Training Center, where she gives back to the sport that shaped her.

One of her coach’s favorite memories is watching the development of her relationship with her hitting instructor, McKenzie Long. Both Natalie and McKenzie share a strong, caring bond, and their journey together as student and instructor has been remarkable to witness.

The Alliance Fastpitch recognizes Natalie as Player of the Month, honoring her for her contributions to the sport and her commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

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.