Welcome back Royals’ sports fans to Royal Talk, Warner athletics' up close and personal question and answer session with a Warner student-athlete. In this edition we sit down with Danielle Fennimore of the Lady Royals softball team. A sophomore from Hudson, Fla., Fennimore is in her second year under head coach Shawn Gary.
Last year as a freshman, Fennimore led the Lady Royals to The Sun Conference Regular Season Title and a 33-6 overall record, the best record in Royals’ softball history. Her .372 batting average led the team and earned her All-Conference recognition. Here is our interview with Danielle Fennimore:
1) What brought you to Warner University?
I wanted a very small school, where the professor knew your name and not just by a number. I was playing in a showcase tournament with my travel ball team and by fate we played Warner. After the game, some of the girls came up to me and were very nice and polite. The next thing I knew, we were talking about me visiting. Three weeks later I was visiting and two months after that I was signing to go to the school.
2) How have you adjusted to Coach Gary and the program in general?
I had no problem adjusting to Coach Gary. He is an amazing coach and just an all around good person. I feel blessed and honored to be one of his players. He has taught me so much.
3) Looking back at your first year, what are some of the things you have learned (Sport related)?
I’ve learned that when I am not playing up to my full capability, it’s not my ability to play but it’s me just over thinking everything. I’ve learned to keep my cool and stop over analyzing my duty as a teammate for my team.
4) You were named All-Conference as a freshman and had a terrific first year, describe your feelings on your accomplishments? Any pressure to repeat?
To think as a freshman I accomplished so much. I felt very accomplished, happy, excited, and grateful. Also at the same time, I am very scared because I have accomplished so much so early that I might not get better then I am or that I would die out the older I get. It’s a very scary thought.
5) What goals have you set for yourself and for the team this year?
My main goal for not only for myself, but as a player for my team is to always keep a positive attitude and keep my head up and always cheer everybody on even when we are doing bad and behind in the game.
6) Have there been any funny moments for you in practice?
Yes there have been funny moments way too many to mention but my funniest moment at a game is when Kaityn [Grimail] and I were talking right before we went onto the field I had my catcher equipment on and as we left each other her shoe lace got caught on one of my shin guards and we both busted are butts; it was so funny.
7) Have there been any players on the team that have been like big sisters to you?
I came here with Becky Powell as a freshman in 2008. I’ve known her since I was 12 years old so she always feels like she is my sister. We have fights like sisters and we have great time like sisters. However, as the closest person or persons are Brittany Simms and Jennifer Rioseco they are my two best friends on and off the field.
8) How long have you been playing softball? What is it that draws you to the sport?
I’ve been playing for over 12 years of my life. However, you could say the reason why I started softball in the first place is just the thrill of playing a game. My whole family is made up of athletes and has played softball. My father was a professional boxer, my mother played all through her life, my grandmother played, my grandfather coached and umpired, and all my aunts have played. My aunt Joanne played in college and was a catcher and I followed in her footsteps.
9) Do you compare yourself to any athlete (pro/non-pro) in the sports world? Style of play, mentality, etc…?
Well I feel like I am just like my father who was a professional boxer. He had a mentality for always wanting to win and never gave up. I am exactly like him my family tells me.
10) If you could do it over again, what would you do different as a freshman entering college and playing a sport?
I think I would want to be closer with my whole team not only those couple teammates that I am really close to now. I think I would be a better teammate for the entire team and I would know a little bit more how to help them when they needed help.
11) What’s your most memorable moment so far?
The most memorable moment so far is our team traveling to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. We played two games and had a clinic almost every day. Working with the kids of all ages was the best part of my trip. It’s so amazing on how much heart they have even though they do not have the basic necessities that you should have for the game of softball in America. They use old bats, old balls, and old equipment, but they do really well with what they have.