Long before Chelsea King Goodin became a standout for the Stafford High School softball team, she was going toe-to-toe with her younger brother on the sandlot – and taking mental notes during his games.
“My interest in sports as I was growing up first began when my younger brother started getting involved,” Goodin said. “From then on, it was a matter of who could do what better. Everything was a competition between us, whether it was around-the-world in basketball or diving contests in the rain. He was the first one to challenge me to want to be better. ”
The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame will soon recognize Goodin for her stellar career, as it will present the former All-State standout with a Diamond 9 award during its annual Baseball Luncheon presented by the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company. It’s set for 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 25 at the University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield.
Sponsorship tables of eight ($400), head table tickets ($100), and individual tickets ($40) are available – along with congratulatory ads – by calling 417-889-3100.
The Diamond 9 awards presented by B.J.’s Trophy Shop consist of former high school, college and pro standouts who made a positive impact in the sport.
It’s all part of the Hall of Fame’s baseball celebration: A 9 a.m. unveiling of a larger-than-life bronze statue of West Plains native and former Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Bill Virdon is set at the Hall of Fame, 3861 E. Stan Musial Drive. Afterward, five individuals will be inducted at the baseball luncheon: Mark Bailey (Glendale High School/Missouri State/Houston Astros), the late John Donaldson (Glasgow HS, Negro Leagues), former Westran, Sturgeon and Jamestown high school baseball/softball coach Kelly Odneal, sports writer Rob Rains (Kickapoo/St. Louis media), and Mark Stratton, the former coach at Glendale High School and Drury University.
“When I was 9, I played in my first fastpitch tournament,” Goodin said. “It was my first taste of softball, and that’s when the love for the game emerged. My summers were filled with endless memories on and off the field with Sophia Alexander Denning (Diamond 9 recipient 2016) and her family. Their passion and love for the game was so evident and contagious and they shared that with so many. I am so grateful to have gotten that chance to experience it with them.”
A 2007 Stafford High School graduate, Goodin was a three-time All-State selection, including twice as a second baseman and an outfielder, and also earned News-Leader All-Ozarks from 2004 to 2006. She was voted to the All-Mid-Lakes Conference, All-District, All- Region teams in an era when Strafford had tremendous team success. Goodin helped Strafford reach two state semifinals, placing third her freshman year and second her junior year, and the team advanced to the state quarterfinals in the other two seasons. In 2006, Goodin batted .453 and moved into the single-season state record books with the fourth-most singles (35) and second-most steals (56). She went on to play two seasons at Drury University.
“I couldn’t have done any of this without the love and support of my parents,” Goodin said. “Being the oldest of four, my parents did everything they could to allow me to play ball, as often as I could. They would often have to tag-team, going to ball games every single night. They were always my biggest supporters.”
Her dad was a great motivator.
“He was my biggest critic but in an encouraging way,” Goodin said. “If I knew I didn’t have the best game, I dreaded hearing what he was going to say, but I always knew he was right. I didn’t admit that back then. He would always write quotes on our computer, and one quote that always stuck with me was, “The best athletes are busy getting better right now. Practice. Do not be satisfied being average. Be above.”
Goodin described Strafford coach Shane Pierce as one of the most passionate and knowledgeable coaches in high school. “He is a coach that can turn good players into great players, and that is why he has been so successful. I would not have had the career I did, if it wasn’t for him.”
“Some of my fondest memories, by far, would be the journey getting to play in the state championship. It was such a humbling experience. It was even better, with the girls and coaches that I got to experience it with,” Goodin said. “They truly loved the game and most importantly, had fun playing. We had such a great dynamic as a team, and I think talent can only take you so far. We worked over obstacles and hurdles that allowed us to reach success. To me, at the end of the day, stats are just numbers. I hope my teammates remember me for my love for the game and my character as a teammate, on and off the field.”
Overall, the Diamond 9 features: Doug Bennett (Hillcrest High School/University of Arkansas), Dan Bishop (Springfield Central High School/Baltimore Orioles/New York Yankees), Jack Funderburk (Southwest Baptist University), Chelsea King Goodin (Strafford High School/Drury University), Kellie Becher Kessler (Missouri State University), , Danny Powers (Carl Junction High School/University of Central Missouri/Minnesota Twins), Kyle Rapinchuk (Branson High School/College of the Ozarks), Stefanie Standley (Lamar High School/University of Missouri) and Michael Vincent (Hollister High School/John Brown University/Phillips University/Cincinnati Reds).
