Coupeville Sports

Maria Rockwell

Rockwell (right) and Chelsea Huff as young’uns.

Queen of the Fish.

Maria Rockwell was the Holy Grail.

Before taking the job as co-coaches of the Coupeville High School softball squad, David and Amy King were coming off of a long basketball season.

With a short turn-around to spring sports, and the addition of having to juggle afternoon practices with work, there was some doubt as to whether they wanted to commit.

But the chance Rockwell, a flame-throwing pitcher who had been a sensation for the Wolves as a freshman, then vanished, would return for her senior campaign and give Coupeville a wham-bam pitching duo with sophomore McKayla Bailey, was tempting.

Eventually, it all worked out, as the Kings signed on the dotted line, and then, shortly after, Rockwell was on the field for the first day of practice.

It’s been a long trip around — her family moved to Florida, where she played her sophomore season, then moved back to Whidbey, where she sat out her junior year to focus on schoolwork — but Rockwell’s passion for the game has never abated.

“I love the game and being up on that mound with the pressure of the game in my hands,” Rockwell said. “How the game can change in a split second.”

After playing t-ball as a five-year old (“I wasn’t too fond of the sport then,” she said with a laugh), she started softball at eight and found her niche.

“I was the youngest on the team. I didn’t get much playing time and I was really shy back then but I had a strong arm for my age so my co-coach, Kim Sherman, had me start pitching and I loved it from the beginning,” Rockwell said. “I started going to lessons in South Whidbey with Ashley Lopez and I will never regret putting in the countless hours pitching.”

A very talented shortstop with a dangerous bat when she’s not hurling fastballs, Rockwell approaches the game with a confident mind-set, while never falling prey to the trap of being overly arrogant.

“I think my strengths are that I have confidence in myself and in my teammates,” Rockwell said. “When I mess up I try and not get down on myself.

“I process what I did wrong and what I should have done and tell myself to step it up, believe in yourself and show everybody you can do this,” she added. “Your team needs you so shake it off.”

A die-hard country music fan and lover of the outdoors (“Bonfires, fishing with my family or just running and working out are how I’d choose to spend a free day”), she benefits from having a large support group of family, friends and teachers.

“I would say Ms. (Barbara) Ballard has been a huge impact in my junior and senior years,” Rockwell said. “She makes me want to be a better person every day and strive for what I really want in life and open up to the possibilities.

“She has been there for me as a teacher/role model and supporter multiple times and I couldn’t thank her more for that.”

Rockwell also reserves a special part of her heart for her dad and two close friends.

“My father has been a huge support in my softball career,” Rockwell said. “He has been supporting me since I was a little girl with whatever sport I was playing at the time and my decisions.

“Two people that have greatly impacted my life are Chelsea Huff — she has been here for me no matter what — and Holly Craggs,” she added. “That girl always knows how to put a smile on my face.”

Post-graduation plans call for a tour of duty at a two-year college, where she hopes to continue her softball career, before either transferring to a four-year school or exploring a career in the military.

For the next three months, however, her heart and soul will be linked to the softball field where she became a legend as a freshman. The field where she’d like to go out as a champion as a senior.

“My goals for this season are to do good and go far in districts,” Rockwell said. “It will be hard, but we have great talent this year and girls that love this game. Keep our heads in it, confidence up and dedication on and off the field in practice or in a game and I think we can advance really far this year.”