Linn-Mar’s Abby Mecklenburg has grown into a softball star

MARION — A softball player most of her life, Abby Mecklenburg’s start was rather simple.

“I just did T-ball and I enjoyed that a lot,” she said. “I don’t know, then it just kept going.

A Linn-Mar sophomore, Mecklenburg started playing softball when she was 9 years old and now, seven years later, she is a star player for the Lions with a batting average of .483 this season.

A catcher and the leadoff hitter, she is “solid behind the plate and a menace on the base paths,” according to her coach, Maddy Colbert.

Mecklenburg shows her passion for the sport by playing year-round. She not only dedicates her time to the Linn-Mar team, but also plays for Eastern Iowa All Star.

“It’s all I do,” Mecklenburg said.

Well, not exactly all she does. Mecklenburg doesn’t let herself be limited to one sport.

Along with being a standout on the softball field, she also excels in track. She was a state champion in the long jump this year and has a run a 26-second 200-meter dash, which is the fastest this season for the Linn-Mar girls’ track and field team.

“I do track to convert that speed to softball,” Mecklenburg said.

Track is helpful as, according to her coach, Mecklenburg’s speed allows her to take extra bases when playing.

“It’s a struggle but I have a good support system,” Mecklenburg said.

With all of this going on, the 16-year-old softball player ends up having little time outside of her sports. Yet, she still is able to balance that time and keep going.

“It’s a sport of failure,” she said of softball. “You’re going to make a mistake. You’re going to have an error. You’re going to strike out.

“It’s just going to happen. It’s bouncing back you need to do.”

She urges those around her to not give up, no matter the obstacles that might be thrown their way.

In the end, Mecklenburg is a motivation to anyone that knows her. According to her coach, “she is a quiet leader, but works hard every day and pushes her teammates to be their best.”