Calling it a great stress reliever, Moody senior Niki Palmer has signed a softball scholarship with Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City.Palmer is the 18-year-old daughter of Ron and Dianna Ross of Moody. She has been playing softball since she was old enough to walk.
“I’ve been playing forever really,” Palmer said. “I knew I wanted to play at the college level and now it is becoming a reality. Now that I’ve signed, I can relax and just have fun the rest of my senior season.”
This is Palmer’s fourth year to be a member of the varsity Lady Blue Devils team. She plays third base and catcher. She is being signed as a catcher by the Lady Pirates, which is her favorite position.
“I knew when I visited Chattahoochee Valley, that is where I wanted to go,” Palmer said. “I felt at home there and it reminded me so much of Moody. A small-town atmosphere where everyone is friendly.”
After two years with the Lady Pirates, Palmer hopes to move on to a four-year college and has her eyes set on the University of Tennessee.
Palmer currently has a 3.4 GPA and she plans on studying medicine.
Ron Ross said he was very proud of his daughter.
“I’m glad this day has arrived,” Ross said. “This is a great time in a young person’s life so I am glad she is able to have an experience like this. Niki has all the capability to do well and I am hopeful she will use all her abilities.”
“I am so very proud of Niki,” said her mother Dianna Ross. “She has been playing ball since she was five. All she has ever wanted to do was play college softball. She went to Chattahoochee and decided that’s where she wanted to go.”
Moody softball coach Amanda Ellis said she was very excited for Palmer and believes the stress is off her now.
“She has stepped up as a leader for us,” Ellis said. “When I first found out about Niki, even before I came to Moody, I knew her as a catcher. I needed her to fill a spot at third base and she has done a great job there. There is no doubt in my mind she will succeed.”
Travel ball coach David Piggott said Palmer is an outstanding ballplayer.
“She is very, very competitive,” Piggott said. “I wish I had a bunch more just like her.”
Chattahoochee Valley softball coach Steve Osteen said Palmer shows extreme power at the plate.
“I worked out with her for an hour and she showed great ability in being able to be coached,” Osteen said. “She was able to make adjustments very quickly and she is just a good fundamentally, sound ballplayer. We have a big weight training program and I think she will fit in real well.”
Osteen said he also likes the long ball and during the workout, Palmer hit six balls out of the park.
“She does have the power we are looking for,” he said.
MHS principal Dale Stripling said he is proud for Palmer and Moody High School.
“We always want to encourage our students to reach upward and go to different levels,” Stripling said. “I know Niki will be successful in the next level of play.”
