Thirteen-year-old John Burrows Middle School
Grade 8 student Emma McMurray is Baseball
Central’s Allstar of Month for August.

Hailing originally from Mason City, IA, McMurray
relocated to Los Angeles 4 1/2 years ago, but still
proudly considers herself "born and raised to become a farmer."

The teen started her love of softball just three years ago but through hard work and the steady help of some incredible teammates and coaches McMurry has quickly become a prolific pitcher, middle infielder and outfielder.

"And did I mention I love to hit," she says with a big smile, adding while she has a private coach to help her develop her windmill pitching speed and accuracy, BC sessions with Elvis Nelson and Josh Salo for the past year and a half have greatly improved her batting form and percentages.

Now a regular with the 14U Firecrackers travel ball squad, playing throughout the Inland Empire, McMurry started her LA softball experience with Wilshire and then Santa Monica squads.

"My family has contributed a lot towards me playing softball, including my little sister who is currently 10," she says. "She has probably sacrificed the most because she is with me almost every day, at every practice, lesson and every game."

Dedication to the sport is definitely in McMurray's genes ... she seems to play softball non-stop, even when she's on vacation.

"Whether it's the hottest or coldest places I still practice every day, even pitching in -20F weather outside. My mom always reminds me it's important to practice in all climates and weather."

As to school, McMurray is a straight-A student whose favorite classes are science and PE. Good grades mean she can play softball. Even at the middle school level she already has a plan for the future ... either Notre Dame or the University of Iowa, studying to become a lawyer. And then there's also the family farm in Iowa ... farming will always be in her life, she says.