Catching You: A Dad and Daughter's Dive into Softball

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Welcome back to Catching You! 👋 I’m Rusty Ham, and in this milestone episode I’m giving you a big update on Lacie’s journey and the podcast.

🌏 Lacie’s Next Chapter
She’s officially living the dream — pitching (and maybe even hitting 👀) for the Port Adelaide Magpies in Australia! 🇦🇺 Alongside playing, she’s coaching a 12U team and fully settling into life Down Under — from joining a gym 💪 to working at a local beach café ☕.

💡 Why We’re Taking a Break
With the 16-hour time difference ⏰, Lacie’s schedule in Australia, and her coaching/playing commitments, we’ll be pausing regular episodes for a bit. But don’t worry — I may drop in with updates, replay fan-favorite episodes 🎧, and keep the community connected until we’re back full swing.

🎉 90 Episodes Strong
When we started Catching You, I never imagined we’d hit 90 episodes. Most podcasts never make it past 20! This journey has been about father-daughter conversations, softball stories, inspiring guests, and sharing real-life ups and downs. And we couldn’t have done it without YOU — our listeners. 🙏

👀 What’s Next
Stay tuned for updates on Lacie’s season in Australia, possible summer softball in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, and her transition into grad school 🎓. The podcast may pivot, but our mission remains: celebrating the journeys, lessons, and stories that matter most.

💬 Drop a comment to cheer Lacie on in Australia and let us know your favorite Catching You moment so far!

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In this episode of Catching You, Lacie Ham sits down with her longtime friend and former teammate, Des Rivera, to talk about the ups, downs, and turning points of her softball journey.

Lacie and Des go back to their 14U Batbusters days, catching bullpens, building friendships, and grinding through some of the toughest tournaments. Des shares how leaving Batbusters for Athletics Mercado completely changed her path, leading to new opportunities, a surge in recruiting attention, and eventually her commitment to Oregon State.

But the road wasn’t smooth. From the impact of COVID on recruiting, to the challenges of transferring mid-year, Des opens up about what it really takes to find the right fit at the college level. Now at the University of Iowa, she’s embracing a new chapter, new teammates, and a fresh perspective on what it means to play at the highest level.

This conversation dives deep into:

• The reality of leaving one travel ball family to join another.
• How recruiting looks different depending on your team and exposure.
• The mental side of transferring mid-season and sitting out an entire year.
• What it feels like to experience both the highs (OKC!) and the lows (slumps) in one season.
• Why perspective and gratitude can completely change your approach to the game.

If you’re a young athlete navigating recruiting—or a parent watching your kid go through it—you’ll take away real insights from Des’s story.

Subscribe for more father-daughter conversations, player stories, and honest talk about the game we love.

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

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What happens when your biggest passion nearly takes your life?

In this episode of Catching You, host Lacie Ham sits down with McKenna Braegelmann, a former NCAA softball pitcher and nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year, to share her powerful story of resilience after a life-changing head injury.

McKenna opens up about her accident during a softball tournament, the immediate and long-term challenges of recovery, and the emotional toll of returning to the circle while battling PTSD and anxiety. Together, Lacie and McKenna reflect on their eerily similar injuries, the pressures of college athletics, and the hidden battles athletes face beyond the field.

🎙️ Topics covered in this episode:

McKenna’s softball journey from travel ball to NCAA Division I.

The terrifying moment that changed everything.

Coping with injury-related PTSD and panic attacks.

The importance of sports psychology and finding the right support.

Advocating for mental health in athletics and McKenna’s future goals.

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and deeply relatable for athletes, parents, and anyone navigating adversity.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories that highlight the athlete journey—both on and off the field.

#Softball #AthleteMentalHealth #NCAA #Podcast #SportsPsychology

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

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In this heartfelt solo episode of Catching You, co-host Lacie Ham opens up about one of the toughest moments in her softball journey—getting zero calls on September 1st of her junior year, the day college coaches are first allowed to reach out to high school athletes.

From the excitement and anticipation leading up to that date, to the crushing reality of silence, Lacie shares the raw emotions she experienced—doubt, comparison, and feeling like she didn’t belong. She recalls scrolling through social media, seeing her teammates post about their midnight recruiting calls, and wondering if her dream of playing Division I softball was slipping away.

But this episode isn’t about defeat—it’s about resilience, perspective, and hope. Lacie speaks directly to the athletes who didn’t get the call, reminding them that September 1st is just one day, not a definition of their worth or talent. She shares how she kept working, stayed passionate about the game, and eventually found her place at San Jose State—proof that your path might just take a different route than you imagined.

Whether you’re a player navigating the recruiting process, a parent supporting an athlete, or a coach guiding young talent, this episode is a powerful reminder: your value isn’t defined by one date on the calendar.

📌 Tune in for encouragement, perspective, and a message every athlete needs to hear.

Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @catchingyoupodcast and don’t forget to subscribe for more father-daughter conversations on sports, mindset, and life beyond the field.

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🌟 From Puerto Rico to Australia: Playing Free & Loving the Game 🌟

In this episode of Catching You, co-hosts Rusty and Lacie Ham dive into Lacie’s incredible journey from NCAA softball to competing internationally. Fresh off her summer season in Puerto Rico’s Softball Superior Nacional Femenino with the Valencianas out of the city of Juncos, Lacie reflects on how playing abroad reignited her passion for the game.

From intense semifinal matchups against pitchers she once idolized, to the electric energy of Puerto Rican fans with drums and horns, Lacie shares how this experience felt different—more free, more fun, and without the heavy pressures of college athletics. She talks about cultural immersion, building bonds with her team in Juncos, and the honor of earning First Team All-League recognition.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Lacie is now preparing for her next big chapter—moving to Adelaide, South Australia, to play for the Port Adelaide Magpies. She discusses the challenges ahead, from coaching a 12U team to adapting to a new country (and driving on the other side of the road!).

This conversation is more than just about softball—it’s about growth, mindset, and rediscovering why you love what you do. Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or just someone chasing a passion, you’ll find inspiration in Lacie’s story of resilience, adaptability, and joy for the game.

🎧 Listen in to hear:

The difference between college pressure and playing free

Lessons from competing against world-class talent

The unique culture of Puerto Rican softball

Preparing for life and softball in Australia

📍 Catching You – Where the game is only the beginning.

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

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In this solo episode, Rusty reflects on an unforgettable week in Puerto Rico watching his daughter Lacie pitch in the semifinals of her summer league. From intense games and Caribbean beaches to heartfelt talks and future dreams, Rusty shares a father's perspective on the evolution of his daughter's softball journey—from youth ball to college, and now to the world stage.

He opens up about the emotions, the lessons, and the joy of watching your child chase their dreams with grit and grace. Lacie is now preparing for her next adventure—playing softball in Australia! 🇦🇺

Whether you're a sports parent, a softball fan, or just love a good story of perseverance and family, this one’s for you.

🎙️ Highlights:

What it's like to pitch in Puerto Rico’s electric atmosphere

Reflections on senior year and college recruiting pressures

Life lessons for parents navigating travel ball and college sports

What’s next for Lacie as she heads to Australia

📍 If you're new here, Catching You is a father-daughter podcast that follows the journey of college softball, life transitions, and everything in between.

Subscribe for more episodes, interviews, and raw reflections.
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👉 Leave a comment below if you’ve followed your child through sports—or want to share your own family story.

#SoftballLife #CatchingYou #PuertoRicoSoftball #FamilyPodcast #AthleteJourney #ParentPerspective #CollegeSoftball #australiabound 

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

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In this solo episode of Catching You, Lacie takes us behind the scenes of her life as a pro softball player in Puerto Rico—just as playoffs kick off—and shares the exciting news of her next big adventure: playing in Australia!

She talks about...

• What it's like living in Puerto Rico (beaches, Bad Bunny, and beach volleyball!)
• How she's managing knee pain and mental fatigue
• Why taking a true break matters
• The truth about becoming elite (inspired by Skylar Wallace's viral TikTok) - CLICK HERE
• Her personal journey from 58 MPH to 67 MPH and what it really took

This one is honest, raw, and packed with motivation for anyone chasing a big dream—on or off the field.

👉 Like, subscribe, and share this with a teammate who needs to hear it.

#CatchingYouPodcast #SoftballLife #ProSoftball #SkylarWallace #PuertoRicoSoftball #AustraliaBound #MentalHealthInSports #PitcherLife #SoftballMotivation

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

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What happens when a former NCAA champ, a current college pitcher, and a high school softball dad sit down to talk parenting, pressure, and playing the game? Fireworks, laughs, and some real talk.

In this full-length episode of Catching You, Rusty and Lacie Ham are joined by the outspoken and inspiring Sam Banister—a two-time national champion turned travel ball coach and private instructor. Together, they unpack the realities most people are afraid to say out loud, including:

• When “helping” becomes pressure—and how dads can do better
• How Sam’s own pitching journey ended in the eighth grade (and why she never looked back)
• Coaching red flags: why Sam picks parents over talent
• The cost of chasing every tournament and the myth of "national" teams
• NIL deals, the transfer portal, and what college softball is really like now
• What happens when TikTok goes viral and softball turns into a platform

You’ll laugh, shake your head, and maybe even cry as Sam shares stories that every softball parent, coach, or athlete needs to hear. This episode is packed with teachable moments, raw truths, and a ton of heart.

👀 Part 2 drops next week!
 📍 To learn more about Sam’s camps and private instruction, visit BasesLoadedFlorida.com

👇 Like, comment, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes journeys from softball’s front lines.
 #CatchingYou #SoftballPodcast #SamBanister #TravelBallTruths #FatherDaughterPodcast #CollegeSoftball #SoftballParenting

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

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Two-time NCAA Champion. Travel ball veteran. Softball lifer. Sam Banister joins Rusty and Lacie Ham for a brutally honest and hilarious ride through her softball story—from backyard fields in Petaluma to the national stage at Arizona.

In this special Part 1 of our Catching You conversation, Sam opens up about:

Getting scouted at age 3 (yes, really… a fairground throwing contest!)

Playing for her dad… and why her mom finally said “enough”

Don Ford’s “order of importance” tryouts (you’ve got to hear this)

How a VCR-era recruiting video landed her in front of Coach Candrea

Winning two national championships—and the injuries no one saw coming

The reality of being sidelined with a collapsed lung as a freshman

Why post-college life was so disorienting (and how softball saved her)

We also dive into the evolving recruiting landscape, the rise of mental health awareness in sports, and how Lacie and Sam compare notes on life after softball.

💥 Raw, relatable, and ridiculously fun, this episode is for every softball player, parent, and coach navigating the highs and lows of the game—and life.

🎧 New episode next week: Part 2 – Coaching, Mindset, and What’s Next for the Game

👇 Follow & Subscribe for more real-deal father-daughter softball stories.
#CatchingYou #SoftballPodcast #SamBanister #CollegeSoftball #MentalHealth #FatherDaughterPodcast

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

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She survived a skull fracture, battled panic attacks, and just pitched against College World Series legends in Puerto Rico.

In this powerful and raw episode of Catching You, Lacie Ham surprises Rusty for Father's Day—right after flying back from pitching in Puerto Rico—and they sit down for an unfiltered conversation about her mental health journey in softball, her pro debut, and what’s next in Australia.

Rusty and Lacie rewind to the summer she was hit in the head by a comebacker—seven years ago, to the day. That one moment shaped her recruiting path, sent her into a whirlwind of anxiety and panic attacks, and almost derailed her career. Lacie shares how long it took to feel like herself again, and how her senior year of college softball was the first time she played panic-free.

They also dive into:

• Her current experience as the only non-Puerto Rican player on her team
• Facing off against big names like Taran Alvelo
• Learning new terms like “Ponche” (strikeout = punchout!)
• Getting chirped in Spanish she can’t understand 😂
• Upcoming adventures in Australia and plans to pursue a master’s in sports psychology

This one has laughs, life lessons, and love—everything Catching You is all about.

🎧 New episodes every week
 📺 Subscribe for more father-daughter deep dives
 #CatchingYou #SoftballPodcast #MentalHealth #PuertoRicoSoftball #SportsPsychology #FatherDaughter

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