Pitcher Vanessa Salinas is making up for lost time since opting out of a softball scholarship at Utah Valley University in the Fall of 2008.
“Softball became more of a job to me and I really didn’t enjoy going to practice at all,” Salinas said of her time at the college.
After transferring to East Los Angeles College for the Spring 2009 semester, she then returned to Fresno to work as a rehab councilor for 2 years. It was her boss at the rehab center that prompted her to return to school and softball.
“He pulled me aside and said, I know softball is missing in your life and you need to go back and play before it’s completely over and you can’t go back” said Salinas.
Salinas is definitely making the most of her return to the game helping the Rams to the Central Valley Conference championship and topping the pitching charts with a CVC record of 15-1 and an overall record of 20-6.
The Rams suffered a slow start to the season, but Salinas believes that team spirit helped turn the season around. “At the beginning of the season, we were kind of individuals and had our own little cliques here and there, but we’ve definitely grown together as a team.” Said Salinas.
Salinas recalls the turning point for the season. “I remember team bonding,” She said. “We did certain activities that you had to trust your teammates in order to get through it and achieve the task. I think that was our turning point. Once we got back, a lot of us went out of our way to try and make friends, try and make conversation and go out to lunch.”
Salinas is thankful for the coaching staff led by Rhonda Williams.
“The coaches are really positive especially coach Ro. She’s always pushing me to get better and always encouraging me, letting me know I’m doing a good job,” said Salinas.
As well as softball, Salinas manages to juggle six classes at Fresno City College, totaling 23 units. She sees the game as a “Getaway” and also describes it as “a motivation” to keep herself going.
Softball has been a big part of Salinas’ life from an early age. “My step-dad, when he came into my life, he actually got me into softball, and then from there I just kind of grew to love the game, I’ve been playing since I was like six, seven years old.” said Salinas.
Salinas is now receiving offers from out of state colleges but is in talks with Sonoma State, which is where she hopes to go.
Whatever the future holds, Salinas wants to make sure softball is a part of it.”Softball is pretty much my life,” said Salinas. “Softball is definitely running though my mind pretty much throughout the whole day”.
Salinas’ goal was to go into nursing, but she is having second thoughts.
“I’m kind of changing my mind. I might do sports medicine. I definitely want to coach, whether it’s little kids, high school or college. I have to be around the game,” she said.
Other than softball, Salinas loves spending time with family. “I like to spend time with my family, just because I know one day I’m gonna end up moving away. I have 6 nieces and nephews that I adore. I love to spend time with my family,” she said.
Salinas believes her drive to succeed comes from within .“I’m really a self motivator, and I like to continue striving for the people around me and my teammates,” said Salinas.
While Salinas credits herself for her achievements, she also recognizes that she has a great support system. “I would definitely first of all have to give God credit. In my life he’s number one.
The people around me, my parents that I grew up with, Alexis’ parents, Steve and Diane Ramirez, they’ve been here and they’ve kind of taken me under their wing and treated me like a daughter,” said Salinas.
She now hopes to lead the Rams to a state championship.
