The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

A chance of a lifetime

No one thought she would make it this far - not even her parents.

Even to those who loved her most, Saluki pitcher Amy Harre did not resemble the flamethrower and possible Olympian she has become in her years at SIU.

"When you see how she first started out in fifth grade, you wondered if she would ever be a pitcher at the high school level," said her father, Larry Harre.

According to Diane Harre, Amy found it difficult to keep control of the speed and movement of the softball.

"She was definitely the 'wild thing' back then," said Amy's mother, Diane said. "We just kept thinking 'Our insurance is going to go up here.'"

But all the coaches told them to be patient and Amy's control would come around.

And now, after 10 years of practices, pitching lessons and games, senior pitcher Amy Harre is ready to meet one of her dreams - to play on a USA National Team.

"This is a once in a million chance," Diane said. "There are so many other talented ladies out there, but Amy was just very fortunate to be at the right place at the right time and got the recognition that she deserved."

After a summer of success with the ASA Women's Major team, the Carbondale Cougars, against some of the top teams in the nation and work, Amy caught the eye of both national and international teams.

Amy has earned a spot on the USA Elite Team at the First World University Softball Championships in Plant City, Fla., Oct 26-31 for the last tournament of the season.

But she doesn't want to stop there.

After the tournament, Amy will travel to California in January to try out for the Olympic and USA National Teams.

If she doesn't make the Olympic or National team, she hopes to play on a professional team after she graduates.

Throughout the years, Amy has come a long way to get all of the national recognition and her numerous SIU records.

The Beginning

By the time Amy reached junior high, She was already striking out the neighborhood kids in Nashville, Ill.

"They didn't think that she was throwing that hard or that fast, and they always thought that they could hit off of her - and they couldn't," Diane said.

In fifth grade, Amy began playing with former SIU softball player Jenny Doehring.

Amy and Doehring's fathers created a travel team based in Nashville that would play six or seven tournaments a summer. At the tournaments they would run into elite teams, and many times ended up losing 12-0.

The two also played on the Nashville junior high and high school, collegiate and the ASA Woman's Major team Carbondale Cougars softball team.

With many of the players on the travel team also on the Nashville high school softball team, playing against elite competition during the summer proved beneficial when school softball came around.

In Amy's senior year in high school, the Nashville Hornets took home the Class A State Championships.

When SIU head softball coach Kerri Blaylock came to recruit Amy, her dad was unsure if Amy was Division I-A material.

However, when Blaylock saw Amy, she was impressed with Amy's speed and ability to strike batters out.

"As far as pitching goes, you can't teach someone to throw that hard," Blaylock said. "And she was local a talent, and you never want local kids to get away."

Parental support

Except for a handful, Amy's parents have made it to all the games, including the away games.

With a son, Greg, who was also active in sports, the Harre's would work out a schedule where one parent would go to Amy's game, and the other to Greg's games.

Larry said that he is lucky to have made enough vacation days to attend softball games, but feels terrible when he misses one.

"Who knows - in a year or two there may not be any more games and we can then do whatever we want," Diane said. "But right now we want to follow and be there with Amy."

And when the Harres make it down to the games, it is a family and friend affair.

At home games, it is not a surprise to see Amy's extended family members and friends in the bleachers. but the two people you will not find in the bleachers are Amy's parents.

Larry and Diane are usually found out of their seats and walking around the stadium while Amy is pitching.

According to Amy, her dad could be anywhere from behind home plate one minute and be out behind the fence in the outfield the next minute.

Amy and even her teammates notice him and keep track of his whereabouts during the game.

"Usually no matter where I'm at on the field she always knows where I'm at," Larry said. "I don't know how she can know where I'm at and still pitch."

Larry said he started walking around the field when she was younger and struggled with her control and has never changed his routine.

"I'm better off kind of moving around," Larry said. "It just relaxes me a little bit."

Her mom is usually standing somewhere in the stadium, not pacing as much as Larry, but still concentrating on the game and hoping Amy is doing all right.

"My family and friends know not to bother me while she's pitching," Diane said.

The juggling act

According to Diane, Amy has always wanted to do her best in everything she is presented with, whether it was academics or athletics.

Diane said Amy is not one of those student-athletes just here for sports, but that Amy is very dedicated to her academics.

"Going to classes and accomplishing that is just as important as softball is to her," Diane said. "I don't think people realize just how hard she works. She puts in a lot of time to study and for the grades to be the type of person that she is."

Last year, Amy was named a First Team Academic All-American.

Blaylock has seen that hard work and determination both on and off the field since the time she joined the team.

Over time Blaylock said that Amy has really learned how to balance both academics and sports.

"Her freshman year she did that thing all freshmen do and freak out because college can be hard," Blaylock said. "But she has learned how to relax and how to enjoy softball, but still work hard on her academics."

Loving the game

Despite the hard work and long hours both on and off the softball field, Amy still has the passion and love of the game.

"You have to make sure that this is what you love," Amy said. "Sometimes it's rough - you go through peaks and valleys, but if you are not happy being there then it's not worth it."

According to Diane though, Amy has always been happy to go to the field and be a part of the game.

"We have told her that when the smile isn't on her face anymore then it's time to get out - and it's never been there yet," Diane said.

Amy said that one of the things she keeps her going in softball is gaining the friendship and connections throughout the years.

Amy's long-time friend, Doehring, has attained a close friendship with Amy and has shared many experiences together.

"I knew day in and day out that she respected me but at the same time I don't think she truly realizes how much respect I have for her," Doehring said.

Doehring said she was glad she was able to go into the pitcher's circle whenever Amy was having a rough inning and knew her well enough to get Amy back on track.

"That is something that I have always cherished and that's only come through growing up and playing together for so long."

When asked if Larry ever saw thought Amy would achieve this level of success in softball, he laughed and said that he was only hoping that she would play a little collegiate softball to help out the family.

But her accomplishments have exceeded all expectations.

"This is her dream and if there is something that Amy wants she will work hard at it to get it and she will give it all she's got," Larry said.