Softball fans, get ready to dive into the world of one of the most promising young catchers in Louisiana - Hays Rutledge. In this edition of Discovering the Future of Softball, we travel to Houma to uncover the journey of a rising star whose talent is bound to make waves in the class of 2026.
Hays Rutledge
Class of 2026 Sophomore at Vandebilt Catholic High
Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2026-Thompson
Catcher / Utility
Extra Innings Overall Ranking - No.45 Nationally
Statistics for Summer Travel Ball: Batting average of .391 with 11 doubles and 3 home runs, an on-base percentage of .434, and an OPS of .957. Also, successfully caught 12 out of 17 attempted base stealers.
Unveiling Hays Rutledge's Personal Story
Hays Rutledge, a name that resonates with dedication and perseverance, stands out as a premier catcher with a bright future ahead. As we sat down with her, we delved into her personal story, unraveling the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her into the athlete she is today.
Hays went into detail on how she coped with being ineligible. She started with "Being ineligible completely changed how I looked at the game. At the beginning of the season, I struggled to find my fit. When I played school ball in 8th and 9th grade, there were times where the only thing I would look forward to after a long day of school would be getting to share the field with my teammates and doing what I love." She went on to add "After losing in the state championship game my freshman year, I planned to come back with a vengeance in hopes of doing what we were unable to the year before, win a state championship."
On the way she discovered she was ineligible "Last summer while I was playing softball in Colorado, my Godmother suddenly passed. That alone was hard enough, but on the day of her funeral, my parents had to break the news to me that I was marked ineligible. To say I was heartbroken was an understatement." Regarding how she leaned on those around her to navigate this difficult time she stated "When our season began in January, I struggled. With the help of my head coach, Jeremy Duplantis, I began to look at my situation differently. I realized that sitting out gave me more time to focus on the mental and physical parts of the game. He always went above and beyond to make sure I felt appreciated and like a part of the team. I also learned the art of pitch calling from two of the greatest coaches in the state, Coaches James Spearman and Erica Babin." She responded regarding how that had benefited her "As a catcher, that’s a very important skill that is hard to master. I’m very grateful for the opportunities they gave me to call my own innings throughout the season to learn and work on my calling."
How did her teammates lift her up "My team made me feel like I was still important, even though I wasn’t sharing the field with them like I was years prior. We managed to get a State Championship title and that was an amazing experience, even from the dugout." She seized the chance to improve her skills by participating in the LSU's Monday Night Hitting program and discussed the advantages it offers."Since I wasn’t playing, I was able to go to Monday Night Hitting at LSU with Coach Sandra Moton and Jill Neal. I learned so much during that period of time from them. Going into my big recruiting summer before my junior year without seeing live pitching in 5 months was terrifying for me. It definitely took me a few weeks to get settled in, but once I did, it was like no time had gone by." She added "Although it was definitely an obstacle, being ineligible made me love the game more. I truly became a student of the game and am using the skills that I learned to make me a better teammate, person, and athlete."
A Glimpse into the Future: Hays Rutledge's Rising Stardom
As the class of 2026 prepares for a new phase, Hays Rutledge is likely to attract the attention of numerous recruiters and coaches. Given her skills and love for the game, it is certain that she will receive many calls once the contact period begins. Despite Hays' powerful hitting ability, her exceptional throwing arm makes stealing bases a risky endeavor, with few succeeding in their attempts. Check out the video below where she shows off her cannon !
Now that everything is in the past, we had the opportunity to talk about her goals and how she can now apply all the physical and mental improvements she has made. She says of her goals for the season "In the next few months, I’d love to build relationships with college coaches. It’s been my goal since I was little to get offered and commit, so I’d love to accomplish that. I also have dreams of being a role model to young girls everywhere, but especially in my area. When I was growing up, I wish I had a strong, female athlete role model to look up to, so I would love if I could be that for other people." We discussed what she feels makes her a great player "On the softball field, I love to communicate with my teammates. Behind the plate, I work to be positive, loud, and encouraging to all people around me. Over the past few years, I’ve found my voice and have become a true leader, and I believe that sets me apart. When I’m hitting, I control the box and try to be the most confident player on the field." She added " I like to think that I am very self driven. Since I was little, I’ve always been extremely competitive and preformed best under pressure. I strive to be the most confident player on the field and work hard on my mental side of the game in order to do so."
When talking about achievements that are particularly notable to her, she mentioned "I’m proud of hitting a walk off home run my freshman year to send my team to the state championship and continuing to cheer on my team this past year when I was ineligible and winning a state championship." I asked her if there are any times she was in the zone and described "I felt unstoppable when I went 5-6 in the state tournament with 4 doubles and a home run. That was an amazing end to a really great season! "
I inquired about her game, she responded by describing it. "My game is competitive and passionate, but I always make sure to have fun. There’s lots of stress and anxiety that comes from being a high-level athlete, but I try to make the most of every situation or opportunity and play with a smile on my face."
We discussed her camp experiences and she says "I’ve been to many camps, but the camps at LSU are like no other. Being from Louisiana, having the opportunity to tour campus, build relationships with and learn from players and coaches that I grew up watching is amazing. My favorite camp I’ve been to at LSU was the pitcher and catcher camp last September."
On schools standing out to her she replied "There are a few schools that have stood out to me, but my number one has always been LSU. LSU is my hometown team and I’ve been going to games at Tiger Stadium since I was 10 years old. Getting mail and getting to know the coaches and staff is an amazing experience for me!
During our conversation, she shared her sources of inspiration along her softball journey, with one particular individual standing out to her. She expressed, "On and off the field, my Godmother has always been an inspiration to me. She suffered with Cystic Fibrosis her entire life and was one of the most influential people I’ve ever met. She had a double lung transplant, infertility, and fought every single day through sickness. She adopted her son and suddenly passed away last year when I was playing in Colorado at the age of 34. She is my inspiration and I know she has the best view of every game I’ll ever play in."
When discussing what is important to her, she says, "Outside of softball, I am passionate about my faith, mental health, and photography. Going to a Catholic school, I love being able to share my love of the Lord with my friends and classmates. No one talks about mental health in sports until something bad happens. I would love for younger girls to know that it’s okay not to be okay and to ask for help when they need it. I love sharing my story and what I’ve been through to help other athletes open up and share their emotions. Having emotions doesn’t mean that you’re “soft”; it means that you are human. There’s a difference between being emotional and having emotions. I’m in the yearbook class at my school, and it allows me to go to lots of school events, take pictures, and spend time with my friends." She added, "When I’m not playing softball, I love to spend time with my friends, cook with my mom, take pictures, go shopping, fish with my dad, play pickleball, and give softball lessons."
Let's rally behind Hays Rutledge as she embarks on an exciting journey filled with opportunities and possibilities. Her story is a reminder that with passion, perseverance, and a love for the game, anything is achievable. Stay tuned for more updates on the future of softball and the inspiring athletes who are shaping the landscape of this beloved sport.
Hays was my flower girl at my wedding!