Madi Curry loves being behind the plate.
But she loves playing more.
Curry is a rising senior at St. Hubert High School, and for the past two years, she’s been the starting catcher for the Bambies, and doing all of the important things a catcher needs to do for a team.
But when she began her high school career, the Bambies had a very good senior catcher in Sarah McLaughlin. But they did need a little help in the infield, and coach Dan Milio wanted to get her bat in the lineup.
“We didn’t have anyone play second so I had to step up and fill in the spot,” said Curry, who lives in Bensalem. “I never played second base before. It was good, it took some getting used to. I played the field before so it wasn’t that hard. I think it’s because I had some experience in the infield and I was able to do it pretty easily.
“I definitely learned watching the runners on first, seeing their leads and stuff. I wasn’t able to see the whole field and the outfield. It wasn’t bad, I worked hard in the offseason, it took probably three games or so. I was just happy to play.
“It definitely took some time, maybe three games. I was lucky, we had a very good team, and they helped me a lot. It was different because I was used to looking out, looking at the whole field. At second base, it looks like a completely different game. But I figured it out with help and I was able to do it.”
After that year, she was right back where she belongs.
Curry has become one of the top catchers in the Catholic League. She brings a powerful bat to the lineup, but she also does all the important things a catcher has to do behind the plate. She has command of the team, the respect of her pitchers and is the leader the Bambies look to when they need some guidance.
“I love catching, it was something I was very comfortable with, so I’m really happy to be back playing it,” Curry said. “Last year we had a senior starting pitcher, and this year we had another senior, Maura Gorman. Maura is a very welcoming person, always laughing. It was very easy to create a bond with her.”
The Bambies didn’t have the season they wanted to, but it was still a good one. They finished 3-7, but many of their losses were close setbacks.
It also served another purpose.
A lot of the girls on this year, including Curry, were underclassmen. That is exciting before next year starts.
“We started off on a high but it didn’t end how we expected. I’m proud of us, I think we worked hard,” Curry said. “The losses are definitely going to motivate us this year to work harder. We’re not working out as a team yet, but I go to hitting lessons and do strength training on my own. I really enjoy playing high school softball and I want to be ready for next year.”
Good news is Curry doesn’t have to wait that long to get back on the field.
She was selected to represent Hubert in the Carpenter Cup, and she guided the Catholic League to the quarterfinals of the tournament, including wins over the Philadelphia Public League and the Suburban One League. The PCL made it to the final day of the tournament where it fell to Mercer County, ending the season.
The prestigious tournament isn’t about wins and losses. It’s more about playing with the top players in the tri-state area while at the same time giving college scouts a chance to watch all the top talent in one place.
For Curry, it meant more softball, which was just what she wanted.
“(It was exciting) to work with other girls from other teams, see how we all mix,” Curry said. “Sammy Staublein is playing, too, she’s a freshman and she’s really good. It’s good to have a familiar face with me.”
Curry got some extra practice before she takes some time off from the game. She’ll still be working out hard, and doing what she can, but she’ll be down the shore, where she works selling ice cream on the boardwalk.
“I work down the shore at the Chilling Pineapple, it’s an ice cream shop,” she said. “It’s a little shop, I do everything, get ice cream, serve it, I love it. I’m always on my feet there, but it’s fun.
“I don’t play club anymore, but I’ll definitely work out hard because I want to get better. I’ll work on my own. I go to the gym and everything, and I’ll do some hitting. Next year is a big year and I want to be ready.”
Why does she want to be ready? She loves this team and wants to win with them.
“The bond that I created with all of the other girls, we’re a close-knit team,” Curry said. “It’s been like that all year. We really like playing. I love the players and my coaches. It was a great season and I can’t wait for next year.
“I feel like we’re going to be very good next year. We have good players and we love playing together. I’m excited.”
