On the surface, senior softball player Alison Mercado bats ninth in the lineup and plays second base.
Beneath the surface, however, Mercado considers herself softball's "dugout photographer" by making a highlight video of her team throughout the season.
With Title IX compliance placing the equality of women's sports in question, Athletic Director Tom Collins has promised a new locker room for the team. Even so, Mercado wants more visibility for women's sports, starting with the softball team.
Mercado said she did the video so she'd have content to submit to Ball State Sports Link.
"Before I try to join this club I wanted to put a production together that would demonstrate my vision and perspective by creating a promotions video for the softball team," Mercado said. "Hopefully by doing this, I will be seen as credible enough to be a link in the chain."
Mercado said being a part of Sports Link would not only help her with her future occupation, but her goals as well.
"I wanted to become involved in school in a way that would also help me in my career path," Mercado said.
She is a telecommunications sales and promotions major, and she said joining Sports Link would be "right up her alley."
In the summer, Mercado finished up her highlight video and submitted it to Sports Link instructor Chris Taylor.
"I'm waiting to hear what he says as of now," Mercado said. "I received good reviews from the TCOM advisor, athletic coordinator and teammates, but I'll probably have to make revisions to it."
Mike Spillman, who is the primary advisor of the telecommunications department, had given feedback to Mercado on her video. He said Mercado's video is an example of the changes in the telecommunications field.
"Ten years ago, you'd never have somebody in Sales and Promotion try to talk about doing some sort of video," he said.
He said it shows how the industry is changing as a result of technological advancements.
"More and more people are getting involved in creating content. That's what she was doing. She's trying to come up with an idea of ways to make herself more marketable."
Despite the possibility of not making Sports Link, Mercado said she believes she can change the way women are viewed in sports.
"Here is where I feel I can make a difference," Mercado said. "I want to bring people's eyes to these women and put them front stage somehow so that their efforts and passion can be seen by everyone, not just by themselves or people that are close to them."
Mercado's teammate, senior catcher Amanda Montalto, said she was impressed by the video.
"I thought it was amazing what she did with the film," Montalto said. "I like the fact she got some really great shots of everyone throughout the season."
Montalto said she thinks promoters could gain information from what Mercado accomplished.
"I think a lot of people who handle promoting could take a lesson or two from Ali," Montalto said. "She did something that's different and shows the truth about women's sports."
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