Pitcher Amanda Monroe Thrives On Competition

The love of a particular game can transform an ordinary player into a unique athlete.

Take Medical Lake’s Amanda Monroe, for instance.

Monroe, a junior, has been the Cardinals’ starting pitcher for most of the softball season.

“I just love it,” Monroe said. “I love the competition.”

Having such devotion to a sport can drive someone to excel more than usual. Monroe is just such a competitor.

“I always wanted to (pitch),” Monroe says. “It’s stressful, but it’s fun, too.”

According to coach John Higgins, Monroe does not look like a traditional pitcher, either.

She is not short. She does not have muscular legs from which most pitchers draw their power and speed.

She is tall and lanky. But what she lacks in speed she makes up for in grit and determination.

“I wish I had 10 more of her,” said Higgins. “She’s very competitive and doesn’t take to losing very easy, especially when pitching.”

Whenever Monroe has a chance, she goes to Spokane and checks out how the pitchers in the Greater Spokane League show their stuff.

“I just love watching softball,” she said. “I love to compete against the other pitchers … and I always strive to do better against better teams.”

Monroe’s passion for the game started early when she played T-ball. It was instilled by her grandfather, Don Johns.

“He’s a big fan, and I thought I would play it,” she said.

Higgins believes Monroe’s best year may have been her freshman debut because she had the advantage of a senior taking a great deal of pressure off her shoulders.

“I’ve really had to rely on her a lot because we haven’t had a lot of pitchers out here,” said Higgins.

Monroe readily admits that juggling school, homework, practice and games is a big enough job for her.

“It takes a lot of hard work - going to games and trying to do homework. My job is playing sports,” she said.

Monroe gets support at home from her mother, Donna, and her younger sister, Sarah.

“I think Amanda does real well, coming from a single-parent family,” said Higgins. “She’s never been academically ineligible.”

Monroe plans to attend Spokane Falls Community College after graduation next year and then possibly continue her education at Eastern Washington University studying elementary education.

Along with competing in softball, Monroe plays for the Cardinals’ volleyball and basketball teams and has been taking karate lessons for about a year and a half.

, DataTimes