By Chris Cox

For almost as long as Kirby Van Haren can remember, softball has been a part of her life.

“I started by playing tee ball,” she says. “I liked it, so I kept going. Now I’m playing for my school, travel ball, and I’m committed to Seminole State.”

Van Haren, a senior for the Class B Moss Pirates, says this year’s goals are pretty simple.

“I’m hoping we make it back to state again,” she says. “Last year we made it to state but didn’t do as well as we wanted. I’m hoping we make it back this year and make it past the first round at least.”

Van Haren is admittedly very competitive and that drives her both on and off the diamond.

“I love competition and I don’t like to lose,” Van Haren says.

That competitiveness also drives her to keep working on her craft every day. 

“There’s always something that can be worked on,” she says. “There’s always something else that can be done. That has always pushed me as a player.”

That drive, and the fact she one of just five seniors on the Moss roster, means Van Haren is asked to be a leader. That’s something she does not take lightly.

“I try to pull everyone together,” she says. “We are better when we play as one. I just try to keep everyone fired up and help them do their job.”

Van Haren credits her parents and coaches with helping her develop her leadership style.

“They’ve pushed me to be a better person and better leader,” she says. “They tell me to never give up or settle for less.”

Outside of softball, Van Haren is in FFA and plays on the basketball team at Moss. Following graduation, she will attend Seminole State and play softball for the Lady Trojans. Following her two years as a Lady Trojan she hopes to transfer to bigger school with a dental program.