Chloe Hodge (middle - above vertical red striple) says, "softball is just as important to me as my studies."

GB YOUTH JUST LOVES SOFTBALL
2006-09-25

In a series of monthly articles she's writing for them, Virginia Snyder-Cardozo, Softball Development Director for the British Softball Federation (BSF) recently published an interview she did with a youngster that plays the sport in Great Britain. Snyder-Cardozo noted that Chloe Hodge, "has all the charm and naivety of an average 11-year old, but on the field she is a fierce competitor."

Reprinted with permission from the BSF, below is the entire interview with Hodge - a textbook example of a young athlete that loves the game of softball.

(Snyder-Cardozo) I met Chloe at a tryout for the Great Britain Girls’ Fastpitch and School of Excellence squads back in March. She made the GB Under-13 team and competed in the European Championships this past August. The GB team finished in third place and Chloe brought home her bronze medal. She is also a member of the Monkeys club team. Here is Chloe’s story:

Q: Hi Chloe, I saw you on TV today. Want to tell the readers what that was all about?
A: It was a 15-minute programme that’s on every Saturday morning called Sportsround, aimed at children like myself to try and get them involved in different kinds of sports available to them around the country. This time, they did the programme on softball.

Q: Why and how did you get involved with softball?
A: I got involved in softball through the Grass Roots programme at school a year ago now.

Q: What is your favourite position to play?
A: I like playing any position but my hero is Jennie Finch and I would love to be able to pitch like her one day.

Q: What other sports do you play?
A: I attend weekly training sessions for football and hockey at school.

Q: How much time do you spend playing softball every week?
A: I pitch with socks to a wall or down my side alley every day and also I train with my school and club team and with GB and the School of Excellence.

Q: How do you find time to play softball and do other important things like school work?
A: I hope this doesn’t sound too cheesy but softball is just as important to me as my studies and gets an equal amount of time (if not more).

Q: What do your parents think about you playing sports?
A: My mum loves me playing softball – she thinks it’s a great way to meet new people, have exercise and at the same time have lots of fun and she has always supported me by driving me to training and buying equipment.

Q: Do you have a favourite softball player who is your role model?
A: As I mentioned earlier my absolute inspiration is Jennie Finch. She plays for the USA.

Q: I understand you are the founding member of the Jennie Finch Fan Club of Great Britain and the President—how can others join?
A: Ha ha! I’ve got to talk to Jennie first!

Q: What is the highlight of your softball career thus far?
A: The highlight of my LIFE was being picked for the Great Britain squad earlier this year and representing them in August.

I had the opportunity to coach Chloe at the European Championships this summer. She was a real team player both on the field and off. We wish her all the best in the future.
- Virginia Snyder-Cardozo