An early All-American
CRANBERRY TWP — Hannah Kaminski is 10 years old — and has already experienced the national spotlight.
A youth fast-pitch softball player from Cranberry Township, she decided to attend a tryout last spring in Monroeville for the USSSA All American Games slated this summer in Melbourne, Fla.
“There were only a few tryouts for this held all over the country,” her mother, Maggie Kaminski, said. “We figured with this one being so close, why not let her go experience it?”
She did more than that. With well over 100 girls trying out, Hannah — a catcher-outfielder — earned a direct invite to the All-American Games, representing the Northeast region (Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York).
Mrs. Kaminski said Hannah was one of only four girls from Pennsylvania to earn an invitation to the All-American Games. She received the direct invite based on judges’ points in different aspects of softball.
“At the tryout, they judged the players on hitting, throwing, running, agility ... everything,” said Bob Kaminski, Hannah’s father. “Since she’s a catcher, she scored points for that as well.”
Once Hannah and the other players from around the country arrived in Florida, they were divided up into teams based on their points earned at tryouts. The idea was to make the teams as competitive as possible.
Hannah’s “Blue” team — squads were identified by colors — wound up winning the 9U division’s championship game. Her team played six games, winning five and tying one.
“I was pretty nervous playing there at first,” Hannah admitted. “But I made a lot of friends there. It was fun, but it was hard. Everybody there was a really good player.”
Games were played in 90-plus degree weather. Hannah played catcher much of the time, but her father said girls were only permitted to catch so many innings because of the heat. She played outfield otherwise.
“I got a few hits, but the pitching was the best I’ve ever seen,” Hannah said.
She played ball with teammates from Illinois, Texas, Tennessee and Minnesota, among other states.
“I made a few new friends, got some phone numbers,” Hannah said. “We all really love softball.”
“She met people from all walks of life,” her father said. “Hannah played with the best players out there her age and held her own. That was fun to watch.”
Hannah spent two seasons playing travel softball with the Pittsburgh Power, out of Zelienople. She played ball this summer for Silver Creek, out of New Castle.
Also a basketball player and cross country runner, Hannah has no problem identifying her No. 1 sport of choice.
“It’s softball for me,” she said. “I’d love to go back there and do it again.”
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