Tegan Cheyenne Bays is a senior on the Niles softball team.

 

What has been one of your greatest  accomplishments as an athlete?

TB: My greatest accomplishment is being able to say that I signed to further my athletic career at Ancilla College. Also, having a team that is so close and respects me means so much to me.

What has been one of your biggest disappointments as an athlete?

TB: My biggest disappointment would have to have been during my sophomore year in districts and losing. That had been our goal the whole season and we came up short.

What has been a hardship in your life?

TB: The biggest hardship in my life is not being able to play softball because of an injury and sitting behind the fence to watch.

Who is a “hero” in your life and why?

TB: I have lots of heroes in my life. I’ve been blessed to have several people who have helped me become the person I am today. I am grateful for those who mean so much to me.

When are you the most nervous while you are competing?

TB: I am the most nervous at competing right before the game starts. When we take the field for warmups, but after I make my first play it’s game time, and that nervousness turns into excitement.

Describe an embarrassing athletic moment.

TB: An embarrassing athletic moment would probably be when I was playing for Nitro, one of my travel teams. I was playing outfield and my cleat got stuck in my shoelace going after a fly ball, and I fell so hard. Looking back on it now it’s pretty funny, but at the time I was so upset and it’s probably why I don’t play outfield.

How do you tend to workout/train when by yourself?

TB: I usually ask a coach or a family member to work with me. I go to as much softball related practices as I can, it’s all about making time for what you want to get better at. I usually stay after practice as well. It is the best because if I’m the only one that stays I get a lot more reps.

What other sport would you like to  compete in if you were not playing yours?

TB: If I was not playing softball I think I would enjoy ice skating, that always looked like so much fun to me.

Who would you say is your “biggest fan?” Why?

TB: I think my biggest fan would be my grandma Chubs, she comes to every single one of my games. I can always see her in her blue car or waving at the end of the fence.

How would you give away $50,000?

TB: If I gave away $50,000 it would be to Riley’s Children Hospital because my dad was a patient there, and also because I plan on being a nurse in the future and what better way than giving back to the youth?

If you could be the head coach of a team for a year, what team would you choose?

TB: If I could be the head coach of a team for a year it would be a younger group of kids, I would want to help shape how much they love the game, and at the same time coach them to become better.

If I did not play sports, I would…?

TB: If I didn’t play sports my life would be so boring, I don’t think I could function without being busy all of the time.

What is the most challenging thing for you to do in your sport?

TB: The most challenging thing for me personally is if I make an error I need to learn to let it go. I have been playing softball for so long and I still have to work on this every single day.

If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?

TB: If I could change one rule about softball it would be drop third strike. If our pitcher did all that work and the batter whiffed at the third strike they should be out.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

TB: The best compliment I have ever received would be from another coach saying that I

was a great shortstop, compliments on my fielding skills means so much to me.

What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?

TB: The scariest thing I had to do was reaching out to college coaches about playing softball after high school. I am beyond glad I did it, it’s honestly the best feeling ever to say that I have accomplished this goal.

What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?

TB: The last thing that I saw someone do that really impressed me was today at the hospital a guy came up to me and told me to have a really great day, and that my smile was contagious. It’s impressive how kind others can be when they don’t have to be.

What is your favorite hobby? Why?

TB: My favorite hobby is easily playing softball. I have dedicated a lot of my time to this sport and I would not be the person I am today without it. Even before I started playing I grew up around it, watching my cousins play.

Choose one word to describe yourself:

TB: Dedicated.