Sports Spotlight: Nevaeh Williams

As a pitcher for head coach Dean Spinogatti’s Tennessee Mojo 12U team, Nevaeh Williams has excelled at the highest level. Recently, she was named Most Outstanding Pitcher at the 2020 USSSA Space Coast World Series in the 14U division.
 

When did you first get into softball?

When I was 4, I started T-ball, then when I was 7, I started travel (ball). I think my mom just signed me up one day, and I started liking it a lot, so I just kept going with it.
 

Since you first started playing, what has been your favorite part about playing softball?

I like hanging out with my friends, but I also like pitching, because I like being on the field.
 

What is your favorite part about pitching?

My favorite thing about pitching is being able to have the power — I like being able to control the game. 
 

What is the most challenging part about pitching? 

You just have to work really hard, like every day.
 

Have you always been a pitcher?

Not always. The first couple of years of me playing — maybe two — I wasn’t a pitcher at all. But about three years ago, I started pitching, and then I stuck with it, because I really liked it.
 

Have you always played at the pitcher position?

Usually, on my old team — when I didn’t play pitcher — I played outfield, because I didn’t usually play. But then one day, I decided to just to start doing it with my mom. We didn’t have any lessons or anything, but me and my mom worked on it for a while, and then I finally got to pitch in a game. There is nothing like it.
 

Do you have a favorite pitch that you like to throw?

My favorite pitch right now is a rise. Even though I just learned it, it’s still my favorite pitch.
 

What would you say has been the biggest change you’ve seen in your own game since you first started pitching?

I started working less on fielding and hitting, and I started more on pitching when I started. I still work on other things, but I work mostly on pitching, because it takes a lot of work.
 

You were named the Most Outstanding Pitcher at the 2020 USSSA Space Coast World Series not long back. What does it take to achieve such high honors?

I just work really hard with pitching. I work so hard trying to pitch and get better every single day.
 

Is there anything you’re working on this summer?

I’ve been trying to get better with my riser, and I’m trying to get stronger. I started going to this training place to get stronger. I’m trying to get my rise down — I’m just trying to get a new pitch every year to be really good.