Kalleigh Gale will go down as one of the best softball pitchers ever to play at Kewanee High School. She makes pitching look easy, sometimes effortless. That’s the reality of the present, but to appreciate it, you have to know a little bit about her past.
Kalleigh was diagnosed with a severe case of bacterial meningitis shortly after she was born. It was one of the most challenging cases the doctors who treated her had seen. Achieving regular motor skill functionality was deemed to be nearly impossible in Kalleigh’s case. Participation in sports was one way the doctors thought Kalleigh could improve her mobility, forcing the brain to develop those necessary pathways that the meningitis had hindered. Sports, primarily softball, was the medicine, and the rest is history. Literally; Kalleigh’s case is featured in a book on bacterial meningitis.
Kalleigh’s older sister Josie played softball, so the draw was natural and immediate. Kalleigh was the bat girl for her sister’s teams and began playing on the park district teams. She began her career in travel softball with the Kewanee Ballhawks at eight years old, and spent seven years with the Ballhawks, playing for her current high school coach, Josh Hicks. She then spent two years with the Heartland Havoc, coached by John Nelson, head coach for the Augustana Vikings, Kalleigh’s future team.
Success did not come easily, or as was mentioned earlier, naturally. Nature put a roadblock on Kalleigh’s path to success. Hard work smashed it to smithereens. There were practices where things wouldn’t click. Those practices ended up going long, because Kalleigh wouldn’t leave until things worked properly. Her parents, Dawn and Kraig Gale, would patiently, and proudly, wait. “Kalleigh has always been a hard worker, because she had to be,” says her mom, Dawn. “She is willing to try the hard thing, and work hard enough to succeed at it.” Kalleigh gives credit to her parents and coaches for getting her to where she is today. “I have had great people support me every step of the way. My parents have always been so supportive, and I know they have sacrificed a lot for me, and my siblings.”
It takes a village to raise a softball player, and Kalleigh got some specialist help along the way. She worked with California native and U.S. Junior Team pitcher, Lori Cook-Baird for five years. Cook-Baird focused on the mental side of pitching, equipping Kalleigh to have poise and confidence on the mound, regardless of the situation. They may have spent a few minutes putting some crazy spin on the softball as well.
With the challenges of the past met and mastered, the challenge of the present becomes enjoying the moment. “This is my last year of high school softball, and I just want to enjoy it,” says Gale, quickly adding “and win a third straight conference championship.” Gale’s resume, and a talented supporting cast, led by a strong group of juniors, make this goal an attainable one.
While she won’t talk about her individual goals, Gale looks poised to add to her already impressive list of accomplishments. She has been named to the All-Conference multiple times, and her on-field accolades include two Second Team All-State nods. The record books for KHS softball will need some updating as well.
Off the field she is even more accomplished. Kalleigh is an FFA State Champion in the Food Service Entrepreneurship category. She is an Illinois State Scholar who also serves in leadership capacities for multiple clubs and organizations, including her role as Student Council President.
It is no wonder then that Gale had many suitors when it came to where she would continue her softball career. Ultimately, her relationship with Coach Nelson, and his insistence that she continue to pursue all her passions, made the difference. “Coach Nelson wants me to succeed beyond the softball field. He has encouraged me to continue to pursue my passions and goals in all areas of my life, and that means a lot to me” said Gale.
Augustana gets a great player, and a better person, but they will have to wait. It’s softball season at Kewanee High School, and the Boiler Girls, led by their senior captain, have work to do, and memories to make.
