Trading diamonds: Jordan Warbinton learning to love life (and softball) after baseball

INDIANAPOLIS — Jordan Warbinton never really saw herself as a softball player growing up. It wasn't really an option when the Warren Central sophomore first began playing sports as a 4-year-old, so when soccer season ended, her mom signed her up for baseball. "You'll be fine," she said. "We'll work it out later."

Softball opportunities became more prevalent as Warbinton entered middle school — and her mom encouraged switching sports — but the youngster was unwilling to make the change. While Warbinton understood her baseball career carried an expiration date, a point when the competition would be too far advanced, she'd fallen in love with America's Pastime and built an extensive network of friends.

Warbinton was "in denial," she said, likening softball to "the end of the world."

"Well, that's a little harsh," Warren Central softball coach Joanne Carroll laughed.

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Warbinton successfully resisted calls to switch sports through her freshman year, but after playing baseball with the boys for over a decade, she finally decided to trade diamonds this spring.

"(Playing softball) was a thought in the back of my head for a long time, but I refused to give in," she grinned. "And look at me now."

There was an outside possibility of Warbinton making the jump ahead of her freshman year. She had hesitations about playing high school baseball, unsure of how the upperclassmen would react to having a girl on the team. But those concerns were assuaged during winter workouts, with the coaches assuring her she could make the team.

Warbinton credits those conversations with lifting a weight off her shoulders, and she received similar messages from her family and friends. "You've played for this long, you at least need to try out," they told her. "It'll be good for you."

Warbinton made JV baseball as a freshman and was quickly embraced by her new teammates, who supported and encouraged her throughout the season.

Those social aspects came naturally for Warbinton — same as they have with the softball team — but the baseball side proved more difficult. The speed on their pitches was a big difference, Warbinton said. "Going from facing an eighth grader to a high school senior is pretty scary for a 14-year-old girl."

Warbinton managed to catch up with the pitching, but she was nowhere as consistent as her teammates, most of whom were more advanced than her.

"After freshman year, I was like, dang, I'm quite behind. I'm not gonna be able to keep up," Warbinton said. "(I realized) I'd have better competition playing softball and that it was going to be more fair. … Softball didn't sound that bad."

Though Warbinton knew she was nearing the end of her baseball career, Caroll still needed to help sell her on softball. The sophomore was concerned about maintaining the friendships she'd forged playing baseball. Turns out, they were in full support of their friend's decision, telling her she deserved the opportunity to play and have fun. They go to each other's games whenever possible, and the softball team embraced Warbinton immediately.

Carroll also pitched opportunities beyond high school, selling her on the possibility of earning a college scholarship.

"I met her mom at the call-out meeting and it was the same thing I shared with her," Carroll said. "Had Jordan not come out this year, I would've tried again next year. I've coached long enough and I see there's some talent there. … Once she gets a full grasp on this game, we'll see her really skyrocket."

Warbinton is firmly on the softball learning curve. Her baseball background gave her a jumpstart in the field (as has her history playing catcher — her favorite position), though the shorter baselines means less reaction time and more urgency when executing a throw. The biggest adjustments are at the plate, where she's changed her batting stance and approach, while simultaneously adapting to different pitch angles and speeds.

None of it's been easy. Warbinton's batting .211 entering Tuesday — though she did hit one to the fence in one of her first at bats — but there have been signs of progress. She's registered a hit in four of eight games with a couple RBIs, and has 18 putouts and an assist on 23 chances in the field.

"I knew I had to keep a positive mentality as I adapted to the new sport," said Warbinton, who plans on playing travel ball this summer. "I knew starting out I wouldn't be perfect or even close to where everyone else was, but if I trusted the coaches they'll get me somewhere in the long run."

Warbinton's positivity and trust are of the utmost importance, Caroll added.

"We want to build something these kids will be proud of and Jordan is a prime example of: We're building something from the bottom-up, so let's do this together," she continued. "I've been amazed by her confidence that hasn't swaggered. She's still trusting the process. … We as a program, as a team, couldn't be any happier with her being part of the team."

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: High school softball player switches from baseball at Warren Central