Haidyn Berry was just seven years old when she first began tossing a softball to her father, Matt, in the backyard of the family property.
Soon after the early introduction to the game, Haidyn was hooked, as she soon developed a passion for the sport.
Year after year, Berry has put in countless hours honing her skills and perfecting her technique, not only in the backyard with her father, but also on the diamond, whether with year-round travel teams or during the fall with the Webb City Cardinals.
With that, it’s safe to say the Joplin area’s top high school softball player has been preparing for her senior year for an entire decade.
Haidyn Berry
“From the time I was seven, a lot of people have helped me get where I am today,” Berry said before a recent practice, stating that her father, her aunt, Hailey Burpo, and travel ball coach Toby Fry were all early influences on her softball career. “Softball has run in the family, and I’ve had a lot of good coaches. I started when I was seven and I’ve played every weekend ever since.”
Last fall, the right-handed Berry got it done in the circle and in the batter’s box during a standout junior season at Webb City.
As her team’s workhorse pitcher, Berry went 18-5 with a 2.46 ERA, fanning 174 batters and walking just 23 in 139.1 innings.
Batting in the middle of the order, Berry hit .418 with 29 runs batted in, 13 doubles and two home runs.
“Last year, I really improved from my sophomore year and from my freshman year,” Berry said. “I saw a big difference. I had to become stronger in the mental part of the game.”
For her efforts, Berry was named the 2019 Central Ozark Conference Player of the Year.
“That meant a lot to me,” Berry said of the conference recognition. “I worked really hard, so I was really proud of myself.”
Berry also earned all-state, all-district and all-region honors last fall.
So what makes Berry a special player?
“I think what sets her apart from others is her competitiveness and determination to beat every batter she faces,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said, adding Berry is a role model on the field and in the classroom. “She is mentally tough and never gets down on herself or her teammates.”
Berry also stood out as a sophomore, hitting .460 with 27 RBI while also earning 11 pitching victories. She also gained varsity experience as a freshman.
Friend is confident Berry will once again be a dominant two-way performer for the Cardinals.
“I look for Haidyn to control the game in the circle by having a firm command of her pitches,” Friend said. “Not only does Haidyn have good speed, but her command of her pitches has improved so much over the past three years. She will be a vital component of our offense as well. She will also provide strong leadership for the team.”
Webb City went 21-7 in 2019, capturing the COC championship and claiming a district crown before falling in the sectional round.
“It was a good season,” Berry said. “We had a lot of talent last year. We lost a lot of seniors, but we have a lot of talent coming back. I think we’ll be just as good as we were last year.”
The daughter of Matt and Heather Berry noted the team’s objectives are set high, with advancing to the state’s final four an ultimate goal.
“We want to be conference and district champions again and go to state,” Berry said. “That was our goal the last two years and we fell short. We want to finish it this year. That would be awesome.”
Haidyn Berry
Berry is currently undecided on her future plans.
She’s considering playing softball at the collegiate level, but may decide to focus on track and field. Berry is Webb City’s school record holder in the girls javelin (134 feet, 6 inches).
“As far as college, I don’t know yet, but we’ll see,” she said.
With fall practices underway, Berry stressed she and her teammates are just thankful for the opportunity to compete on the field, as the COVID-19 pandemic raised doubts on whether there would even be a season.
“Just being back on the field with my teammates means a lot,” Berry said.
With that, it’s clear the Cardinals’ two-way standout is highly motivated to end her prep softball career on a high note.
“There’s a lot of pressure on me, but I like pressure,” Berry said. “I’m weird like that. I like pressure on me in the classroom, too. I think it makes me a stronger person.”
Berry had one final thought.
“I’m just excited for the season,” she said.
That comment should come as no surprise. With a lot of hard work and dedication along the way, Berry’s senior year is a decade in the making.
Jason Peake is a sports reporter and podcast host for SoMo Sports. You can follow him on Twitter at @JPeakeSports. You can follow SoMo Sports on Facebook, or on Twitter at @SoMo_Sports.
