The Fair Grove High School Softball team has had a strong start to their season, and Shayla Haddock (12) played a major role. On March 26, 2026 Haddock broke the Fair Grove home run record for Fair Grove high school.
Haddock has played softball since she was little. She stated, “I’ve been playing since I was three years old.” She continued, “It was challenging because I played up for most of my life so I sat on the bench a lot and so I had to work and get better to be at the top.”
Haddock expressed how she felt about breaking the home run record and explained, “I didn’t even know I did. It was pretty cool. Hali Stokes is also a contender so… both me and Hali cheer each other on because we both want the best for each other.”
Family, friends and coaches play a big role in success and drive for Haddock. She stated, “My dad is my number one because he has coached me in so many ways since I was born, he taught me my softball IQ.” Haddock continued, “My family has been there through it all. And all my coaches have been there through good and bad times.”
According to Haddock softball is much more than just the basics. It takes a firm mindset and a strong foundation. When a player doesn’t have a strong mindset they will stumble. Haddock stated for each at bat that she goes up to she thinks of “a confidence booster.” She shared, “I have never faced a pitcher that I can not hit off. So when I get up there I want to do the best for my team and be there for them.”
Through the years Haddock has grown stronger and stronger from her freshmen year after hitting her first home run in the first game of the season to her senior year hitting seven home runs through the first nine games.
Haddock stated the one thing that she is most proud of is herself. She shared, “In my career I am so proud of myself because I have hit more home runs than I have struck out.” Another thing that she says plays into her success is her batting gloves. Haddock stated, “I wear my work gloves at each at bat.”
Haddock plans to continue her softball career at eastern Oklahoma state college, a JUCO. As her high school career is coming to an end, one thing she would like to leave with the underclassman is, “You gotta put in the work in the offseason and work hard and the hard work will show and pay off in the long run.”
