Selina Gonzalez was born and raised in Santa Maria and began playing sports when she was only 4 years old. Early on, she was coached by her cousin, Tony Lara, and she grew up playing ball with his daughter on the Central Coast. Shortly after playing co-ed T-ball, she moved up to recreational softball, which later led to high school and college ball.
“I love the game, and I plan to take it as far as it will go,” she said. “I have a drive and passion that makes me push myself further than I would have thought possible.”
She gives all the credit to her mother, Connie Gonzalez, who’s been her backbone and support and keeps her going.
“I have played every position possible,” Selina said with a laugh, “but right now I’m playing main catcher. I just switched over from third base.”
Now 19, Selina has developed her own style and is playing at Allan Hancock College where she plans to finish up her education before moving on to university-level ball.
So what’s her biggest challenge?
“I would have to say that when you jump from team to team, you have to learn how to trust the new girls you play with,” she said. “You have to start fresh and learn to truly work as a team. Some of the girls I’ve played with have been past rivals of my former teams, so it’s definitely a little hard to trust immediately—but that’s all a part of growing up. We have to trust each other on and off the field.”
This season has drawn to a close, but Selina already has fond memories.
“ I love all the girls on the team,” she said. “Playing with them has been great, and I know that being on the field together has pushed us all and grown us closer as more than just a team, but as friends who can depend on each other.”
—Gabby Hendriksen
This article appears in Apr 23-30, 2009.
