For Natalie Kim, softball is not just a sport — it is something that she has known for over 12 years. Natalie is a key player on the FHS softball team. She brings lots of experience with different roles throughout the game. Softball teams are made up of nine players, with each team aiming to score the most runs as possible by crossing the home plate. As a spring sport, the season starts in February and continues through May.
“I think going to practice and having fun is definitely my favorite part of my week, especially now that the weather is getting warmer,” Kim said.
Kim plays both catcher and center field for the FHS softball team, which keeps her in action all throughout the game. She values the team aspect of the sport and how much growth is involved in it. The catcher’s role is crucial, as they receive pitches, lead the defense and communicate with the rest of the team. Meanwhile, the center fielder’s responsibility is to play in the center outfield.
“My favorite part about softball is probably how it’s a game of failure,” Kim said. “But then, when you do get rewarded, it just feels really good. And I like the fact that it’s a team sport — your whole team has your back.”
Kim’s 2025 game statistics reflect on her hard work; they consist of a batting average of .420, 20 hits, and an on-base percentage of .542. Kim is ranked 28th in the Central Coast Section and 4th in the El Camino division for her fielding percentage, which measures the percentage of times a player properly handled a ball that was batted or thrown to them.
“For anyone who wants to join softball, I think you should definitely do it,” Kim said. “The school has a very good support system. Our coaches are really amazing, and the girls on the team are really helpful. I think that [you] just [need to] trust yourself and keep working on things to get better, because there’s always something that you can get better at and be the best person you can for your team.”
Kim’s Coaches, Mark Gutierrez and Hector Zuno, provide further insight into the sport and Natalie as a player. Their comments highlighted her level of experience and the leadership that she brings to the team. Zuno states how team chemistry is incredibly important in a team sport such as softball, and that getting along is the key to any team’s success. The coaches encourage anyone to come out and try the sport.
“We have several girls on the team that have never played before, and they’re excelling in what they’re doing,” Gutierrez said. “You’ll probably never find another set of coaches like us who care about the girls and who can bring the fundamentals to the game as easily as we can.”
