Nevada senior commits to Crowder

Bridget Baldwin signs a letter of intent to play softball at Crowder College next season. The signing ceremony was held at the Nevada High School library Monday. Seated, from left, are parents Mark Baldwin and Penny Baldwin, Bridget and Crowder softball coach Brandi Arthur. Standing are Nevada softball coaches Brandi Thomsen and Chris Garzone. The softball program at Crowder is rebuilding after not competing since 2000.

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

In a milestone for the Nevada Lady Tiger softball program, senior Bridget Baldwin has signed to play with Crowder College next season.

Baldwin signed a letter of intent Monday during a ceremony at Nevada High School with her family and friends present, along with her current and future coaches.

Baldwin said she was hopeful that she could play softball at the next level, but was thinking that her days on the diamond were over.

"I didn't think I was (going to play), but I really like softball a lot," Baldwin said.

In a twist of fate, Baldwin was already considering attending Crowder College in the fall so that she could use A-plus money that is available from the state for her to attend a Missouri school.

"I knew I was going to go to Crowder anyway," Baldwin said.

Lucky for Baldwin, the school decided a year ago to resurrect a once-successful softball program.

Crowder hired former player Brandi Arthur to be the coach, and she has spent the past year recruiting her first squad.

Baldwin was offered a scholarship after trying out along with other hopeful players at the school in Neosho Friday.

At the tryouts, the players went through a series of drills that included running the bases, taking outfield, taking infield and hitting.

After the tryouts Arthur informed the players that she would call them each to let them know if they made the team. However, she asked Baldwin to stay afterwards for a meeting in her office.

Arthur said she knew right away that Baldwin was a player she wanted.

"I could tell right away that she was a good athlete," Arthur said. "I didn't want to let her get away."

A four-year starter for the Nevada Lady Tigers, Baldwin played in both the infield and outfield. Last season Baldwin was moved from shortstop, her position the first three seasons, to center field. Nevada coach Chris Garzone said it was a move designed to take advantage of her good speed.

It was a move that Baldwin made without complaint, and Garzone said that is the type of player she is.

"Her work ethic was tremendous," Garzone said. "The coaching staff (Garzone and assistant Brandi Thomsen) knew she had the ability to play at the next level because of her speed and athletic ability and how she understood the game of softball."

Baldwin is the first Nevada softball player ever to be offered a scholarship to play in college.

"Bridget was one of the original players," Garzone said referring to the group who started when Nevada's program was just beginning four years ago. "It's nice to see her continue (to play)."

Arthur, who was on the last team Crowder fielded in 2000 that finished fifth in the nation, said she has not decided where Baldwin will play.

"I've just got all freshman coming in and except for my pitchers, I'm not sure where very many of them are going to fall in," Arthur said. "Very rarely do college players play the same position they did in high school anyway."

Baldwin, one of 14 players signed by Arthur so far, does not mind the uncertainty.

"I don't care, they can put me anywhere," she said. "I'm just really excited."