By Tara Sowle
UWRF Sports Information

With a solid first year under her belt, sophomore catcher Ashley James is ready to be a strong leader for the 2006 Falcon softball team.

James got her start as an athlete in first grade and worked her way through high school where basketball was her main focus. But she gradually shifted to softball. "I had natural talent in softball; it was easy and fun," said James.  

Her softball career started as a pitcher, not at catcher, a spot she has held in the lineup since the start of the 2005 season. "I was a pitcher until my dad stopped catching for me, so around fifth grade I started catching. I liked catching because I was still involved with every play," said James. She also had a lot of inspiration from the older girls on her team. "We had a group of really talented older girls at our school that helped push me to be better," said James. She played at Mankato Loyola High School.

James joined the Falcons last year and played in all 41 games. Coming in as a freshman and taking the leadership role behind the plate was intimidating. "I was very nervous in my first games, I didn't know how to be a leader and how to talk to people," said James. In her first year she hit .207 and had two doubles and seven RBI. "One of my goals this year is to improve on my hitting. I'm pretty streaky and I'm working on being more consistent," said James.  

James had a solid fielding percentage (.967) in 2005 and threw out 20 of 46 base stealers. "As a catcher, she is an excellent blocker, calls her own game, and works extremely well with the pitchers," said Falcon Coach Faye Perkins.

The catcher is in a unique position being able to see all that is happening on the field. It's important for the catcher to be able to make adjustments to fielders, and at the same time, call the game for the pitcher. James has demonstrated that she has the talents and skills to handle all of the responsibilities.

During her freshman year, James established herself as the team motivator. "Ashley is also a "firecracker" on the team. Her cheers get the team fired up and her sense of humor keeps us laughing!"said Perkins.

Besides being the team jokester, James is also a solid catcher. "Especially with our drop ball pitchers, James is exceptional at keeping the ball in front of her. Not much gets by her," said Perkins.  

So far this season, James has played in 10 games and is hitting .179. She has scored four runs and knocked in three. She has thrown out four of 12 would be base stealers. Her best game to date this year was against Macalester played at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida. She scored two runs and had three hits, including a triple, the first of her career.

James has also gotten over any fears and intimidations she might have had in 2005. "I have no problem telling people where to go; they know we're just trying to help out."

James, who has batted in the No. 7 spot in the lineup for most of the year, is confident in her team this year. "We're a young team, but our players are knowledgeable. We have the potential to be in the top three in the WIAC."

She is currently third in career at bats (115) and third in career hits (23) among current Falcon players.

One of the biggest surprises for James when she started playing for the Falcons was the level of athleticism. "I was surprised by the level of hitting. In high school you worried about the No. 3, 4, and 5 hitters. In college you have to think about every hitter."