Demopolis catcher Latham competes in Preseason All-America tourney

As softball season readies to open, Demopolis High School freshman catcher Abbey Latham has already faced some stiff competition. The Lady Tiger backstop competed in Clermont, Fla. Jan. 17-19 in the Softball Factory All-America Pre-Season Tournament, powered by Under Armour.

“It was good. There were a lot of new things to learn that they showed us,” Latham said of the experience. “I was honored. It was the first Preseason All-America that The Softball Factory had had. To be chosen to be that was good.”

The tournament consisted of four teams comprised of 10 all-star players from 21 different states.

“There was a lot of competition there. There were very, very good pitchers,” Latham said of the talent level she faced at the tournament. “There was a lot of high-end competition. Every position there was fully developed. It was really good.”

The tournament also put Latham on the field with older players, a role in which she will find herself frequently this season as she takes over catching duties as just a ninth grader.

“Going up there, there were not many freshmen. It was mostly older players. So it was good to be compared to them and try to stand up there and compete with them,” Latham said. “Catcher is the quarterback of the team, so I feel like I have a lot of responsibility to fill.”

The Demopolis High School softball team will open its season against Choctaw County High next week.