South Georgia - In The Game High School Sports Magazine

The infamous number 13 is considered unlucky to many, but not to 17-year-old Ware County High School senior Mary Trimm and her family. The two-year starting pitcher for the Lady Gator softball team proudly wears the number on her jersey, as does her younger sister and Lady Gator junior varsity player, Suzie. The girls’ mother, Patte, says it represents Mary’s birthday, January 3, and added it is also the date she and the children’s father, Robert, were married 29 years ago in September. Though this family enjoys athletics and sports together, they don’t credit any success stories to luck. They know it takes hard work, dedication, family support and teamwork to be successful.

Mary is in her fourth year with the high school’s softball and tennis teams and has been a sports fan from early childhood. Patte and Robert are both graduates of the University of Alabama. “I grew up watching Alabama football. My family has always enjoyed going to those games together,” Mary says. 

Mary has an older brother, Jonathan, who played tennis in high school. Her memories of softball games, however, began with her older sister, Katherine. “I spent pretty much every weekend of my childhood either at a softball, tennis or soccer match. I can remember being five years old and going to watch my sister play,” says Mary.  She also acknowledges Katherine’s passion for sports as a big influence on her own enthusiasm for athletics.

In fact, there are many influences in Mary’s life contributing to her drive to work hard and develop her abilities. One in particular is her father. According to Patte, Robert has always been Mary’s backyard coach. “He’s gotten out there when there has been barely enough light to see − every single day. He’s been hit in the shin so many times and has even lost a few toe nails,” says Patte, adding, “Mary throws hard!”

“I always look for him after a game,” says Mary. “I feel like a five-year-old, but he gives me that thumbs up and lets me know he’s proud.” And proud he is.  The Lady Gators recently had a win over Brunswick, and Robert says, “She not only pitched a one-hitter, she hit a home run, too!”

“She’s worked pretty hard to get where she is,” Robert says. “You’re kind of on an island by yourself when you’re pitching. But she’s had good back-up.” Mary says her team is one of the reasons she does as well as she does. “Amber Joyner has been my catcher for four years, and she has been through so much with me.” Mary says the two have developed a mental connection during games. “She knows what to tell me when I’m not pitching my best. She knows how I play, and she’s been a really important part of my pitching.”

Another important influence on Mary’s game and life is her coach, Rebecca Kirkland. “She has always been honest and offered moral support. She taught me how to grow up and how to be a player at the next level,” Mary says.

Mary received the First Team All-Region award last year along with the team’s Most Valuable Player award from her coach. She has also received

the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership award and received recognition from the Lion’s Club as one of the top 20 academic achievers. She has earned a Georgia Certificate of Merit, currently holds a 4.0 GPA and is ranked fourth in her class of 269.

According to Coach Kirkland, Mary is dedicated to the game, the team and her teammates. “She plays a big role on our ball team. She works hard, she’s got a good attitude and she’s a good hitter,” says the coach. The 2009 season is the fifth year Kirkland has coached the softball team at WCHS. “She’s a good kid. I’m going to miss her,” she adds.

Mary is looking into college opportunities based on the academic programs offered, moreso than athletics. “I’ve always known that I want to play in college, but I want it to be some place that is respectable educationally.” Laughing, she says, “When I’m 70 years old, I’m not going to be able to play softball anymore. I’m going to need that education. If I can get both, that’s the best deal you can find.”

Writing for her school newspaper, Gator Tales, and serving as yearbook editor have been venues for Mary to share another talent. When asked if she planned to pursue a career in journalism, she says, “I’ve always known that writing is something I’m good at and that I enjoy doing. I haven’t 100 percent decided on journalism, but it’s something I’m leaning towards.” Other areas of interest include law or International Business. Mary visited the Rhodes College campus in Memphis, Tennessee, and tried out for the softball program. She was offered a position, but she has not made any commitments so far.

Mary threw a no-hitter last season against Pierce County and two one-hitters in region matchups, but one of her favorite moments on the mound was last year in a game against Effingham County. The team was undefeated in their region, so Ware County wasn’t favored to win. “I was really proud because our team came out and beat them. We played really well that game.”

With her little sister following in the family’s cleatprints, Mary offers some advice for her and all young athletes. “I think sports are very mental.  Once you are mentally strong, and you have the confidence to do it and know that you can, you’re going to go a long way.” That philosophy has been an important part to her softball game, but it is also applicable to life in general. “If you have a positive outlook on things, they’re going to go your way,” she says. •