OKLAHOMA CITY (August 10, 2024) — Harlie Chism reflects on her journey with USA Softball as she prepares to take the field internationally with the U-18 Women’s National Team (WNT) later this month. Chism, who was selected for the U-18 WBSC World Cup Group Stage Event roster, is set to compete in Dallas, Texas, from August 29 – September 2.
Chism’s connection with USA Softball began in 2019 when she participated in the prestigious All-American Games. This tournament is known for showcasing the top 12U athletes from across the country, with teams selected by USA Softball Regions. The event is a major milestone for players, providing national exposure and marking them as some of the best young talent in the United States. Chism described the experience as life-changing: “It was nerve-racking to be on such a big stage. I remember being in awe that my feet were in the same place as the women I watched on TV,” she said. “It allowed me to build a name for myself and learn how to fight for what I want.”
After her All-American Games debut, Chism joined the USA Softball High Performance Program (HPP), where she continued to compete with elite athletes, leading to her selection for the U-18 WNT. Reflecting on her HPP journey, Chism noted, “It allowed me to show my skills, not only through metrics but through actual situations of softball.” Without the HPP, she believes she wouldn’t have had the chance to represent the U.S. on the national stage.
Looking ahead to the U-18 WBSC World Cup Group Stage, Chism is excited to compete against athletes from different countries and learn from the international experience. “The World Cup is just as much a learning experience as it is a competition,” she said. “I’m so excited to compete with my best friends.”
Chism is not the only athlete from the All-American Games making her mark on the international stage. Cameryn Harrison, Ella McDowell, Isabella Ruggiero, and Townsen Thomas are also part of the U-18 WNT, all of whom started their journeys at the grassroots level through the All-American Games and the HPP.
For the athletes heading to this year’s 2024 All-American Games, Chism has some advice: “Be where your feet are,” she said. “It goes by insanely fast, and they just need to take it all in. I want them to know that the game gets harder, but the achievements only get bigger. Softball isn’t just a game, and it’s okay to be defined by it because softball is who we are. It’s made me the person I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”
As Chism prepares for the international stage, her journey exemplifies the power of youth development and the pathways that lead to the highest levels of competition in USA Softball.