University of North Carolina Athletics
Catching Up With Brittany McKinney
August 6, 2012 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Current UNC pitcher and GoHeels.com contributor Lori Spingola recently caught up with former Tar Heel players Brittany McKinney and Danielle Spaulding, who took a break from playing in the national pro fast pitch league to instruct high school softball players at the Carolina advanced pitching camps.
Spaulding and McKinney were a pitcher-catcher duet when they played together at UNC and are now teammates again on the North Carolina Diamonds pro fast pitch team. During camp, Spaulding pitched to McKinney to show the campers how to throw breaking pitches with the correct mechanics, and McKinney demonstrated how to block low pitches and how to set up on the plate in different counts. They also talked to the young pitchers and catchers about what they learned and experienced while playing softball for both UNC and the NPF.
McKinney ranked in the top-10 in school history for career home runs. For more information on the Carolina Diamonds, including the team schedule and updated stats on both McKinney and Spaulding, visit the team website.
Lori Spingola: What is the best memory
you have from playing softball at UNC?
Brittany McKinney: This question is almost impossible to answer. There were so
many great memories that I think about on a daily basis. One of the most
rewarding feelings was being apart of Coach Papa's 1,000th win. It was great to
see a great person and coach being rewarded for all the hard work she has put
in to the program, the sport of softball and her players over the years. It was
a great experience to be a part of, and hardly any people can say they have ever
witnessed a coach achieve this milestone much less be a part of it.
LS: What do you miss the most about playing at UNC?
BM: I miss the Carolina family. I miss every practice, every game, every night
of study hall, every conditioning, every training room session, etc. I miss
everything about playing at UNC, especially all of my former teammates.
LS: Coach Papa is being inducted into the softball hall of fame in the fall.
How influential was she to you as a player and/or person?
BM: Coach Papa helped me develop my skills into the ball player I never thought
possible. She taught me so much about the game, but more importantly she taught
me how you can lead a team, but also care about each and every individual. In
my short coaching career so far I find myself everyday trying to emulate the
way Coach Papa treated me on and off the field. Coach Papa is still very much
involved in my life, and it is something that I am very grateful for.
LS: What was the most important thing you learned while playing at UNC?
BM: The most important thing I learned while playing at Carolina is that UNC is
truly the best school in the country. From the classroom to the softball field
I know for a fact there is no other school that even compares to the experience
at UNC.
LS: What do you think is the key factor to your success as a softball player?
BM: The key factor to my success as a softball player is the support system
that I have. I could not be where I am today without the support of coaches
like Coach P and Coach Boo and all of my teammates along the way. There is no
doubt that I wouldn't be where I am today without them.
LS: What is your favorite part about playing for the Carolina Diamonds
professional fast pitch team?
BM: My favorite part about playing for the Diamonds is being a part of
something bigger. I know that I am playing the sport I love in order to give
young girls the opportunity to be able to play the sport they love
professionally one day and hopefully be able to make a living doing so. I love
seeing all of the aspiring young softball players and athletes and their
enthusiasm for the game every day.
LS: What is your typical day-to-day schedule as a professional softball player?
BM: A typical game day as a pro softball player usually starts off with early
morning batting practice session, lunch break and then back to the field about
4 hours before the game for any treatments and then our warm ups begin. A practice
day would consist of a morning practice, a workout session and then an
afternoon practice.
LS: You caught Danielle Spaulding at UNC and now you get to catch her again at
the professional level. What is the best part about being so familiar with her
and catching such an accomplished pitcher?
BM: Being able to continue the pitcher/catcher relationship with Spaulding is
amazing. I believe we are a very solid battery and all of the experiences we
have with each other helps us to have an edge on our opponents. Dani is a very
hard worker and has pushed me to be a better catcher in order to keep up with
her.
LS: You were an assistant coach for NC State this year. What did you learn as a
coach?
BM: I learned that coaching can be one of the most frustrating but by far one
of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It was an eye opening experience
to see the game and the team from the other side.
LS: What are your plans for the future? Are you going to continue playing and
coaching?
BM: I hope to continue coaching and playing as long as I can!
