Name: Payton List
Age: 16
Height: 5 feet 11 inches
Positions: RHP, first base, second base, outfield
Batting Average: .398
This big time athlete is going big time from small town USA.
Junior Payton List recently announced her verbal commitment to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech was an easy decision because as List explained, “when I went to their [softball] camp, I felt like it was home.“
List has been playing softball for eight years and doesn’t plan on stopping. She currently plays travel softball for Ohio Outlaws.
It’s not surprising that List already has interest from college programs. As a junior in high school she pitches about the same speed as a college division one softball player, 64-65 miles per hour.
In college, most pitchers never see an at bat; however, not List. She’s known for being a pitcher who can hit with an impressive batting average of .398.
List comes from a family of all-star athletes. Her father, Nate, was a middle linebacker at Robert Morris University and is in their Hall of Fame. Her older brother, Brodie, is a sophomore quarterback at Edinboro University. Her younger sister, Chloe, is a freshmen this year at Beaver Area High School and plays softball and volleyball.
However, List’s mom is her biggest inspiration. Her mom, Erika, played played softball at Robert Morris University and is also in their Hall of Fame.
That inspiration even includes a bit of friendly rivalry: “When I was little at my mom’s [pitching] lesson, I said, ‘you just yell at me because you are jealous I’m better than you,’” List laughingly recalled.
List also plays basketball and volleyball. She is extremely excited for this upcoming softball season.
“I’m excited because I know we will be good,” List said.
Beyond her college playing experience, List hopes to one day coach college softball but will settle for a 16u (16 and under) or an 18u (18 and under) softball team if it comes to it.
“I love softball because I get to do what I love and I have fun while I play.”