When she faces opposing pitchers, Ball State softball redshirt senior McKayla Timmons is usually ‘pitched around.’
“At first, I was like, ‘Well, I put five years of blood, sweat and tears in this just for them not to pitch to me,”’ Timmons said. “So it's frustrating at first, but after trying to change my perspective on it, it’s a sign of respect.”
The Cardinals’ catcher has 40 walks on the season. Though she may not have expected that, she was already a player who was in the eyes of people in Division I softball. From being ranked No. 36 in Softball America's top 100 player’s list to other preseason honors, she was thought to be one of the best coming into this season.
The reason? Her coaches and teammates think it’s because of her work ethic.
“Everyone around here knows how hard she works. It's the intent, the focus and commitment to the details of every single piece of the game,” Ball State softball head coach Helen Peña said. “... If you are committed to the process, and you give everything that you have every day, that's what shows up on and off the field.”
Timmons was born to two teenage parents in Lithia, Florida. From a young age, she saw her father David provide for the family with two jobs and a third shift for seven days a week. Her mother, Katherine, is disabled and was in a wheelchair and used a walker when McKayla was a child.
“My mom would give anything to be in the body that I have right now,” McKayla said. “I'm physically able to do anything I want. Thinking of her every day before practice or games or whenever things get hard, [I think] if she can do it, I can do it.”
She admits that perspective did not kick in until college. Even when it came to softball in high school, she had a mindset where she didn’t do the extra stuff that she does now.
But after getting to Ball State, that changed as she wanted to be the best version of herself she could be.
“In my head, one rep could be the difference between hitting a game-winning home run or the other team winning,” McKayla said. “One rep is the difference between me being No. 5 in the country as opposed to No. 6.”
She also grew to realize that she wanted to get more out of those reps.
“My first couple of years in college, I was quantity over quality,” McKayla said. “I couldn't figure out why things weren't connecting. Now I'm not afraid to take a day off if I'm not feeling good and I'm not as quick to beat myself up if I have a bad practice or game.”
But it wasn’t just her game she wanted to improve. Under Peña, the Cardinals are a team that pushes themselves to be just that: a team. McKayla said she felt that when she first got to Muncie, and wanted to be the best teammate possible.
Part of McKayla’s process to be that person started in the bullpen with the pitching unit. To her, the relationship with the pitchers is a ‘difference maker’ in the field.
“I've definitely grown to love the bullpen, and I [now] love catching bullpens,” McKayla said. “I'm always the first one to ask for actual bullpens or if I could catch a pitcher. The relationship you build in the bullpen [is huge].”
In her time at Ball State, Timmons has 54 home runs, 195 hits and a career batting average of .387. Because of the hard work and positive attitude she brings every day along with the achievements, Peña said other Cardinals can learn from their starting catcher.
“She's definitely a leader when it comes to her work ethic, mindset and being an elite competitor,” Peña said. “That's what you have to have. You have to believe that you can do it before you actually do it. And even if you get beat, you've got the next one, so she brings that confidence every single day, which breeds into the rest of the team.”
Though the success, stats and accolades have piled up higher and higher each year, McKayla never thought about leaving Ball State.
“It was never about the money. It was more so about the experience and how I wanted my college experience to go,” McKayla said. “... I really was blessed with this last coaching staff, and I get to finish my career with them. I wouldn't have left for any other coaching staff at any other school in the country.”
After Ball State, her goal is to play professional softball. She’d love to get a chance with the national team and maybe play in the Olympics. But another job that has piqued her interest is being a strength and conditioning coach.
“I just love the athlete mindset. I just love everything about it,” McKayla said. “I love the work ethic. I love the grit. So just being around an environment of competitive people and competitive excellence would be a dream for a career.”
Though she knows her time as a Cardinal is coming to an end, she’s taking it day by day. She advised younger athletes to do the same thing.
“You can't take a moment for granted. I remember hearing seniors when I was a freshman, talking about it going fast,” she said. “I'm looking at one more month now, so just take it all in, being appreciative of every single opportunity, chance and piece of equipment you're given. Not everybody has this opportunity and some people would die to be in my shoes.”
When you ask other Cardinals about her, they echo what Peña said about McKayla’s work ethic and energy. But the other thing that sticks out to them is not her stats, her ability to play the game or even anything softball-related.
It’s how she treats everyone else.
“I've said this for the last three years. She is the hardest worker I think I've ever played with in my 17, 18 years of softball,” Ball State redshirt junior Katie Van Der Mark said. “She's humble and is really passionate about this game. I think when your heart is in the right place, you'll find success.”
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or via X @ZachCarter85.
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