Arnett is the first player from PSL Development to officially sign with one of the professional teams. She spoke recently with KRPS's Raegan Neufeld about the experience.
NEUFELD: So how did this, the Professional Softball League, kind of start to be on your radar? How did you hear about it? How did you get connected with it?
ARNETT: So last summer I was in the All-Star team of the Kansas City Diamonds. So we played the Florida Vibe and we played the New York Rise for a weekend. And it was just to see how a professional team would do in Kansas City. Well, then they hosted tryouts in December for the Diamonds, and I tried out for the team. Didn't make it, but that's okay. My family and I talked, like there's a plan, God has a plan, things are going to work out. So I continued, obviously, got ready for my season in January and then about April, I think it was, one of my friends that I tried out with on the Diamonds, like she tried out for the Diamonds with me as well, she was like, have you heard of the PSLD? And I was like, no, I don't know what that is. And she was like, okay, let me send you the information, you're going to want to play, like it's for the summer, you're going to have fun, like, let me just send you the contact and get you signed up. And so the rest, you know, worked out for itself.
NEUFELD: I know there wasn't a lot of time in between those games you played in Kansas City and then now, so did you know it was a possibility that maybe you would get signed? I mean, what was kind of, like, going through your head in between those games and then now?
ARNETT: So after I was done with the Vibe, like the coaches, they just said, we'll keep in contact. And in my brain, like I didn't want to get my hopes up. So I was like, okay, I'll just go back to the developmental league, finish out the summer and then whatever happens next year after that, like it's going to work out. So I played for the week, wasn't expecting anything, and then Thursday night I had gotten the text, but I didn't see it ‘til Friday morning really early because I was asleep on Thursday. And I remember it was five in the morning and I screenshot it and sent it to my mom, and my mom was awake for some reason. I don't know why or what the reasoning was, but she was like, you're joking. And I was like, no, I'm not joking, this is real. And I remember texting Ryan Moore, the manager, and I was like, I'm so sorry for the early response, but yes, I would love to join the Florida Vibe. And then obviously he sent me the contract and everything else and when I needed to be here.
NEUFELD: What was it just like finishing up your time here at Pitt State? Was it like, well, do I look for jobs or do I try and do this softball thing? What else, like what more was that like?
ARNETT: Whenever I was done, obviously my family gave me time to mourn that and be upset with that because obviously it's tough to transition into the real world. But they knew I was going to play for the summer and they– I don't really have a plan right now of what I'm going to do. So that's still kind of up in the air, but I'm so grateful, like my parents are just like, continue to play, play for as long as you want to, and when you get home, like, we'll figure things out. Like, there's going to be opportunities. There's going to be lots of jobs. There's going to be your whole life to work, but there's not very much time for you to get to play softball. So just go do that and not have any worries. So I'm very blessed that my family's like that and willing to help me in that way. So there is still some uncertainty, and like knowing what's going to happen next. But, I'm trying not to focus on that, obviously. Like I'm getting to live a dream that I've always wanted to do. you know, get to play softball for longer. And, so I'm very grateful that my parents are willing to work with me and help me with all that.
NEUFELD: I know the league is pretty new still, so what are your hopes just for the league itself and for this opportunity for professional softball?
ARNETT: Obviously to continue to grow, you know, get more teams, have more players, continue to play. You know, some people might say money, but that's not what it's about for me. Like, it’s awesome getting paid to play softball, but getting to play for longer, even if it's longer than just the summer, if that's an option, like I just want there to be more teams, more competition, and more opportunities for more people to get to play.
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