Soul of 78: Amber Hayes
Former Softball Player, Sumiton Christian and Bevill State Community College
Words by McKenzie Wade | Image by Al Blanton
Amber Hayes first picked up a ball and bat when she was only three years old. Today, she has finished her second year of softball at the collegiate level.
In middle and high school, Amber was involved with just about every sport and club that was offered. Sitting in the bleachers at the Bevill State softball field, she talks about her journey as a student athlete. “I played basketball, softball, volleyball, I cheered…I did the pageants and I ran for homecoming queen. I was a part of everything,” Amber laughs.
As the years passed, Amber realized she had a knack for softball. While a student at Sumiton Christian High School, Amber and her team brought home three state softball championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017. She recalls one semi-final championship game against Brantley when she hit a ball out on the first pitch. “It was a great moment for me,” she says.
By her senior year, Amber knew she wanted to further her softball career. After graduating from Sumiton Christian in 2019, she decided to stay local and play for Bevill State Community College, literally next door to her alma mater. She played outfield for the Lady Bears under head coach Allison Mollus.
Before any game, you might have found Amber joking around with her teammates or talking to her biggest fan—her sister Ashley. A few lighthearted moments, she says, helped her relax and prepare for the game. “I kind of like to goof off a little bit,” she says. “But when I am on the field, I take things seriously.”
Amber’s family members were key contributors to her success over the years. Jay, Amber’s father, made it a priority to help her improve. The pair could typically be found at the field, hitting or throwing together and bonding over their love for the game. Amber’s mother, Vonda, helped her stay healthy so she could play to the best of her ability. “I played for my family,” Amber shares, expressing her gratitude.
This fall, she plans to transfer to Alabama A&M and study clinical social work. “I am choosing social work because my dad went through the foster system,” she explains. “I just want to be there for children going through the same situation he was in.”
Juggling school, softball, work, and a social life wasn’t always easy. Whenever it felt overwhelming, Amber remembered her reasons for playing: the younger kids she influenced, the life lessons she learned, and all the incredible moments she experienced because of the game she fell in love with so many years ago. 78