Here is a great article written by Richard Skinner about one of the "best" young ladies in NKY softball, tip of the hat to Noelle. :ylsuper:

 

When Freedom Fogt was named the head softball coach at St. Henry before this season she knew how much she was going to have to count on standout Noelle Butts as a player, but she quickly found out how much she could count on her to be a leader, too.

 

Butts, a senior pitcher who hits No. 3 in the lineup, was one of only a few experienced players back from last year’s successful team and has helped drive the Crusaders to a repeat berth in this weekend’s All ‘A’ Classic state tournament. The tournament will be held today and Sunday at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro. The tournament is comprised of 16 regional winners that are divided into four four-team pools that will play a round-robin format today, and then the top two teams from each of the pools advance to Sunday’s eight-team single-elimination tournament to determine a champion. St. Henry (12-6) is in the same pool with Eighth Region champion Gallatin County (11-0), Fourth Region champion Glasgow (8-15) and 12th Region champ Danville (4-14).

 

Butts was one of only three starters to return from last year’s team that went 27-8 and was knocked out of the All ‘A’ Classic in pool play and from the first day of practice she became a pseudo coach for a team that starts its only other senior, its only junior, its only two sophomores, three freshmen and a seventh-grader.

 

“There’s not a practice or a game that’s she not out there helping somebody - how to hold their bat or throw a ball or something little,” said Fogt, who is also quick to credit her other senior, Jaime Maley, for providing leadership, too. “She has a lot of positive reinforcement as well as trying to teach the girls. She’ll explain to them, ‘You know why we do it this way,’ and it holds a lot of weight coming from her. Coming from another student it’s easier for other girls to take that coaching. It’s been a huge blessing in disguise. She will make a great coach one day.”

 

That’s exactly what Butts says she wants to do when she completes her playing career at Otterbein College, where she will go after graduating from St. Henry. “One of my senior superlatives is, ‘In a couple of years, what will you be doing?’ and people say, ‘Noelle will be a softball coach.’ I love it,” said Butts. “I just love sharing the knowledge. I think I’ve always had that leadership mentality. I felt it was necessary in previous years to let seniors take that role, but this year I felt like I had to step up not only for the team to succeed, but to keep the forward momentum of our program and pass that on to the younger players.”

 

She knows that with leadership comes pressure to perform, too. “I definitely feel the pressure, but I love pressure situations,” said Butts. “I thrive off of it. There are a lot of things on my back and I’m putting everything out there for the team it’s worth it.” Butts said while she takes her role seriously, she also wants the games to be fun and she expects that will happen this weekend no matter how well the Crusaders do.

 

“There’s definitely a fine line between helping and pushing too hard,” said Butts. “I like to have fun and take it serious, too. Even if do something in a serious way, I have a joke and a smile. They all know if I am pushing them it’s because I want to do help. I don’t want to watch them fail. The girls have been talking about Owensboro since we walked off the field last Friday after winning the regional and we’re going to have so much fun.”

Nice article ! Any team would be lucky to have her not just because of her softball skills but she's a great leader & great young lady. Good luck this weekend !

had the pleasure of meeting Noelle thru my daughter and she was a great kid and very determined player . congrats to her , glad she is continuing her career at the next level.

I have been lucky enough to be around Noelle since she was playing 10U. Not sure in all my years in softball I have been around a kid that has had to really earn everything she has gotten the way Noelle has. Summer ball or HS ball she has had to fight for everything. I think its great that it is all coming together for her in her senior year. Good luck in Owensboro!!

Won game one 6 to 3. Raining and doesnt look good

Nice article Richard. L13, can we please get a link to the article and post it here?

 

I also know Noelle and she is an amazing young lady from an awesome family! Additionally, I know Noelle has worked extremely hard, year round, for numerous years on her skill set.

 

Congrats Noelle!

Nice article Richard. L13, can we please get a link to the article and post it here?

 

I also know Noelle and she is an amazing young lady from an awesome family! Additionally, I know Noelle has worked extremely hard, year round, for numerous years on her skill set.

 

Congrats Noelle!

 

and without further ado.......http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20130426/SPT0302/304260168/&nclick_check=1

Nice article Richard. L13, can we please get a link to the article and post it here?

 

I also know Noelle and she is an amazing young lady from an awesome family! Additionally, I know Noelle has worked extremely hard, year round, for numerous years on her skill set.

 

Congrats Noelle!

 

Her dad is only awesome when he is walking around with his little bottle!!

Her dad is only awesome when he is walking around with his little bottle!!

 

Steve has flashes of "awesomeness" but I definitely hear what you are saying.

 

As I am sure you know Lisa, Noelle, and Gabrielle are all as good as it gets. Truly a model family.

Her dad is only awesome when he is walking around with his little bottle!!

 

Or he helps you when you get a ticket!!!

 

Great article. Noelle is a great girl and softball player! Good Luck at the next level Noelle!

Noelle is one of the three finalist for the Larosas MVP of the week, please vote for her by going to:

 

LaRosa's MVP of the Week - Cincinnati High School Sports

 

Noelle is one of the three finalist for the Larosas MVP of the week, please vote for her by going to:

 

LaRosa's MVP of the Week - Cincinnati High School Sports

 

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A little bit of a side note here, Noelle and the player listed below her (Mckena Miller) were team mates one year with the Cincy DOOM.

 

Go vote for Noelle!

Noelle is a great young lady and a great influence for the Lady Crusaders. VOTE and Vote often for her...

I like this and I am not even her mom.

This is one of those times we all should pull together and vote for the KY girl!

 

Again, not only is Noelle a phenomenal softball player she is a fantastic young lady and very deserving of this award.

 

Use the below link to vote:

 

LaRosa's MVP of the Week - Cincinnati High School Sports