Send us a text

Two-time NCAA Champion. Travel ball veteran. Softball lifer. Sam Banister joins Rusty and Lacie Ham for a brutally honest and hilarious ride through her softball story—from backyard fields in Petaluma to the national stage at Arizona.

In this special Part 1 of our Catching You conversation, Sam opens up about:

Getting scouted at age 3 (yes, really… a fairground throwing contest!)

Playing for her dad… and why her mom finally said “enough”

Don Ford’s “order of importance” tryouts (you’ve got to hear this)

How a VCR-era recruiting video landed her in front of Coach Candrea

Winning two national championships—and the injuries no one saw coming

The reality of being sidelined with a collapsed lung as a freshman

Why post-college life was so disorienting (and how softball saved her)

We also dive into the evolving recruiting landscape, the rise of mental health awareness in sports, and how Lacie and Sam compare notes on life after softball.

💥 Raw, relatable, and ridiculously fun, this episode is for every softball player, parent, and coach navigating the highs and lows of the game—and life.

🎧 New episode next week: Part 2 – Coaching, Mindset, and What’s Next for the Game

👇 Follow & Subscribe for more real-deal father-daughter softball stories.
#CatchingYou #SoftballPodcast #SamBanister #CollegeSoftball #MentalHealth #FatherDaughterPodcast

A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values.  One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset."  We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better.  Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories.  Buy Us A Coffee  

Follow Us:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok
• X
• Threads