ShawneeDispatch.com

For as long as Tara Heinrich can remember, softball has been a family affair.

Her dad, Greg Heinrich, began coaching Tara when she was 4 years old. She grew up throwing the ball around with older sisters Mandi and Katrina. Their mother, Angie Heinrich, spent afternoons at practices and weekends keeping the scorebook at tournaments.

“It’s family tradition,” Tara said with a grin.

As the youngest of three girls, Tara strived to match her sisters’ softball accomplishments. Mandi earned state tournament trips at both De Soto and Mill Valley High Schools. Katrina also went to state while at Mill Valley. Both girls went on to play at the college level, Mandi at Central Missouri and Katrina at Coffeyville.

Last spring Tara replicated the first of her sisters’ feats when she helped Mill Valley earn a trip to the Class 5A state tournament.

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, she achieved the second when she signed her letter of intent to play college softball at Baker University in Baldwin.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Tara said of playing college softball. “I guess it’s always been the plan since I was little.”

It was a treasured day for the entire family.

“In another year or two we’ll probably really understand (how much it means). It’s one of those deals that ‘what are you going to do with your summers?’” said Greg Heinrich, who continues to coach Tara’s club team, the De Soto Belles. “But it’s real special. I think it’s kept me and the kids closer.”

The signing culminated what has been a busy year for Tara. The sure-handed second baseman hit .296 last spring and helped Mill Valley make a Cinderella run to the state tournament.

She had a solid summer with the Belles, helping them place fourth at the ASA KC Metro Championship Tournament and later tie for ninth at the NAFA 18-and-under national tournament in Florissant, Mo. Later they dominated at the MSP Fall Showcase in Overland Park and then made a strong showing at the ASA Stars of Tomorrow Showcase in Mustang, Okla.

Steve Fulk coaches the Belles with Greg Heinrich, and Fulk handled Tara’s recruiting. He said Tara had her eye on Baker and Ottawa University from the beginning because of their academics. Baker coach Jennifer Rigdon agreed to come watch a Belles practice, which put the process in motion.

“It’s kind of a nice treat when you can actually get them to come to your practice,” Fulk said, “When Jennifer came out, Tara had a good day.”

Things moved quickly from there. Tara took a campus visit and sat down with Rigdon. Tara was hooked.

“I love the school, and they have an amazing teaching program there,” said Tara, who wants to study elementary education and teach kindergarten or first grade. “And the coach is really nice. I just got a really good feel from there.”

By choosing Baker, Tara soon will branch off into the softball world without the two families she knows — her own, and the Belles. She’ll only be about a 40-minute drive from home, meaning her parents and sisters can watch her play frequently.

As for her Belles and Mill Valley teammates, she’ll just have to look across at the opposing dugout — in one instance anyway.

Teammate Sydnie Gerber has signed to play at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. Both schools participate in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, so Tara will see her old friend on the field frequently. That, in turn, will spark a softball family reunion of sorts.

“It’s going to be weird playing against her,” Tara said, “but I’m looking forward to it. Madison already said she’s coming to watch that game.”

Comments