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A sweet hitting stroke is unmistakable when you see it. A softball player steps into the batter’s box and when the bat is released, the entire motion appears effortless. The plane of the bat slides beautifully through the strike zone. There are no wasted motions. No hitches. No hesitation. The hands, head, shoulders and legs work in unison.
In today’s high school and travel softball, with so many instructors pushing players to shorten their swings, we seldom get to see that sweet, natural stroke that comes along just every so often.
National Scouting Report 2018 softball prospect Haley Cook has one. Watch her video and it is apparent her whole body works as one.
Cook, a sophomore from Breman High School in Breman, Ga., uses her stroke to her fullest advantage. Last summer, the 5-foot-1 corner outfielder slammed 11 home runs. In high school, she hit .352 with a 408 OBP, .484 slugging percentage and .889 OPS. You read that right. Some would say that without a mechanically perfect swing, those kind of power numbers for a player that size would be impossible. They would be right.
Just ask Georgia area director Mike Ewing, who discovered Cook.
“Haley is a whole lot of power in a little package,” he said. “She hits the ball like a much larger girl. She generates a lot of bat speed with a very strong core. Haley makes consistent contact. She hits the ball well to all fields.”
Cook is also a defensive standout. In 2014, she played an entire season without making an error in the outfield.
In her personal message to college coaches, Cook hit on a number of strengths she brings to a college softball program.
“I have an extremely bubbly personality, and one will always find me cheering on my teammates no matter the situation,” she wrote. “When I step on the field, it is a completely different ballgame. I am a competitive, assertive, determined, and meticulous player. I am driven to train year around because it is vital to me to be both physically and mentally prepared. I am not easily distracted by errors or failure because I understand mental toughness is merely a part of the game.”
Cook can’t wait to compete at the next level — athletically and academically.
“It is important for me to get a college education because in the future, I want to go to work each day and love my job,” she wrote. “I feel as if I have the ability to add value to a collegiate team with a strong bat and glove, encouraging attitude, and the never-ending desire to win!”
Breman coach Amy Pointer couldn’t say enough about Cook’s determination.
“Haley Cook is one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever coached, hands down,” she said. “This young woman absolutely loves the game of softball, and she has since I began coaching her at 10 years of age. Her work ethic is tremendous, and her attitude is one to be admired. Haley is incredibly coachable, and her attitude remains positive, even when she’s having off days.
“As a coach, the one quality of Haley that stands out to me more than others is her humble attitude. Her skills speak for themselves, but she does not allow herself to get complacent. Haley works at practice for several hours and also spends additional time at lessons or just hitting in a net … whatever it takes to make her better on the field. Her passion is both undeniable and contagious among her teammates.”
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.