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This inspiring H.S. softball player proves that anything is possible
It's hard enough for a freshman to make the varsity team, harder still to win the starting job. Now, imagine doing it with one arm.
That's what Northglenn (Co.) High School's Jaide Bucher accomplished this fall. The spunky teen was born with only the upper part of her right arm. The lower part, starting at her elbow, was naturally amputated in vitro after circulation was cut off by a condition called amniotic band syndrome.
Regardless, she throws and catches as quickly as any other player, as one would expect of the starting catcher. As soon as she catches the ball with the glove on her left hand, she seamlessly rests the ball on her left forearm and transfers the glove onto her shorterened right arm. She explains the movement in this KUSA feature.
Despite played for nearly a decade, Bucher never expected to be starting as a freshman. "I was just hoping I'd make the team, not become the starting catcher." she told KUSA. "That's one of the biggest accomplishments I've had."
At tryouts, her coaches treated her just like the other 30 girls, and she scored within the top 12. The coach added that Bucher's confidence is contagious. Understandably, most games end with players from the other team telling her that she is an inspiration.
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Danielle Elliot is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at delliot@yahoo-inc.com or follow her on Twitter!
