Mayer signs with Cleveland State
Paige Mayer is surrounded by family members, coaches and school officials as she signs a softball scholarship with Cleveland State Junior College. In the front row, from left, are her brother Dallas, 14, and her parents, James and Tammy Mayer of Falkville. Standing, from left, are assistant coach Kenny Goodman, former head coach Kent Tucker, head coach Kristy Ferguson and Principal Sue Wood. | Clif Knight
Paige Mayer added a new page to the annals of sports history at Falkville High School on May 4 by signing a letter of intent to play softball for Cleveland State Junior College in Cleveland, Tenn.
She is the school’s first senior to sign a softball scholarship since the game was changed from slow pitch to fast pitch in 1995.
Mayer signed her scholarship in the company of her teammates, coaches, family members and about 100 other athletes in the school cafeteria.
“I never imagined that this day would come,” Mayer said. “But I’m very excited to have the opportunity to play ball at the college level. I liked everything about Cleveland State when I visited there and tried out for the team in November 2010.”
Mayer played second base for the Lady Blue Devils in 2011 but has played other infield positions during her seven-year varsity career. She has also played travel ball for the Alabama Fast Pitch team for seven years and had first contact with Cleveland State’s coaches while playing in a travel team tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn. Last summer. The bats third and is Falkville’s third leading hitter with a .363 average. She is a two-time all-area and all-county selection.
Mayer plans to pursue a career in pharmacy and hopes to improve her game and win a scholarship with a four-year college after her sophomore year in college.
Falkville coach Kristy Ferguson said Mayer has been a valuable player for the Lady Blue Devils this year because of her experience, leadership ability and knowledge of the game.
“She is a good situational hitter and a versatile player,” Ferguson pointed out. “She understands what it’s going to take at the next level and I expect her to have a successful college career.”
Mayor’s parents are James and Tammy Mayer of Falkville. She has a younger brother, Dallas, 14. Her grandparents are Louis and Margaret Brady of Falkville and Joan and the late Harley Mayer of Kansas City. Mo.
Ferguson said this was a big day for Mayor and Falkville softball.
“This gives the younger girls something to shoot for as they work to improve their skills,” Ferguson said. “I hope the school will see many more signings like this in the future.”
