Fastpitch Interview
Kaulana Gould
2005 WAC Freshman of the Year
 Kaulana Gould of the University of Hawaii Softball Team was named 2005 WAC Freshman of the Year in May 2005 as a true freshman. Graduate of Kamehameha Schools and oldest of 3 softball players, Kaulana took some time out of her busy schedule to chat with us about softball, goals, and attitude. Enjoy!
How old were you when you first got involved with the game of softball?
I was 12 years old when I first started playing the game of softball.
Wow ~ 12? I started at the age of 9 and felt like I was "behind" everyone else. Did you feel that way too?
I never really felt behind. I knew that I was different, but never behind. I started off playing baseball from the age of 4. I came from playing baseball to playing softball so the physical and mental toughness was already instilled. I just had to differentiate the two.
Were you a multi-sport athlete in high school?
I only played softball in high school. It just took up the majority of my time.
I know you were a catcher in high school. In college you play outfield. Have you ever played outfield before?
I played outfield when I first started playing softball. I was in the 12U playing for a team called Onipa'a. I played centerfield. That was only for a year though. After that I played 3rd base. I moved to catcher my freshman year of high school. That was a great experience for me. I became more knowledgeable in the game and I just went with the flow. Then I came here and played in the outfield. Great. All I told myself was just do what you have to do. Go hard or go home. I believed and I prayed to God and it happened. God helped me through everything. Without him I would be nothing, so glory to Him.
What was one of the biggest adjustments you had to make at the college level?
My attitude. I had to realize that I couldn't feel sorry or get down on myself because that wasn't going to help my team achieve their goal. I had to learn to always be there for your teammates and always be encouraging no matter what the situation.
What do you like most about the game?
I love the thinking part of the game. It really takes an athlete to be able to play under pressure situations and be good at it. I love to always be one step ahead of the other teams. And besides, 80% of the game is mental.
About being one step ahead, I'm noticing a lot of my high school players this year aren't realizing this. They are so focused on getting a hit or making good defensive plays that they aren't picking up on the little things that would give them an advantage. What kinds of little things do you do to keep yourself one step ahead?
In order to keep myself one step ahead from everyone else I do a variety of things. I make my own time to field balls, hit in the cages, and study the plays. We as a Division 1 ball team must always be students of the game as well as players of the game. Before a ball is hit, I always try to figure out what I am going to do with the ball if it should be hit to me. This way, I won't have to think after the ball is hit to me and it will save time for making the play. Studying the opponent is a key factor in being one step ahead. You will be able to figure out a hitter's weakness and strength, a pitchers tendency to throw certain pitches, and a fielder's fielding percentage. These things allow yourself to know the game just a little better than the other person.
Some young players don't want to be up in the pressure situations. What about you, how do you feel about pressure?
I love to be up in the pressure situations. I just love it when the crowd is for you, your team is for you, and you know that you'll be one of many people to help the team. I just love to be in pressure situations because I operate better. But this isn't true for everyone. As for me, I motivate myself off of this pressure. When no one thinks that I can get the job done, I always want to let them know that I can come through in the clutch. And it just helps the team and your confidence when you can pull through like that.
When you go up to bat, what's going through your head?
When I go up to bat, I try not to think. Thinking is what gets everyone going. They try to do too much with what they have. I just always have confidence and faith in myself to know that I'm good at what I do. I try to stay relaxed and positive. Always go up to bat with a positive attitude. Instead of saying "I better not strike out" another option would be "I'm going to hit this ball". Little things like that. To me, attitude is everything.
How is pre-season training going so far?
It's been great. We lifted and conditioned in the first 2 months. Then we had our fall ball or on field practices during part of October and November. Now we're back to lifting and conditioning, but it went great. We have a solid group of girls this year.
Any up and coming new players we should keep an eye on?
My 2 little sisters. One is in the 6th grade and one is in the 4th grade. They look up to me and I love them with all my heart. I hope that one day they will get to experience what I am experiencing right now.
How do you feel about softball being dropped from the Olympics?
I'm a little disturbed, but that just means that we as female softball players must work harder to prove to the entire world that softball isn't a sport that anyone should take lightly.
In your own experience, what was the difference between the "good" coaches you've had and the others?
I've had many coaches in my life and the difference is that good coaches never let you down. They are always there for you, encouraging you, pushing you, and helping you to become a better athlete as well as a better person. But my greatest coach is God. He helped me to stay on the straight and narrow and never fade down the wrong path.
What was it like being voted WAC Freshman of the Year back in May?
It was the greatest feeling ever for a female athlete. Words can't describe the emotions that ran through my body when I heard the good news. Everyone knew before I did.
Were you surprised?
I was definitely surprised. I wasn't really expecting anything. My goal during the season was to do whatever it took to help my team achieve their goal and our team goals that we had set in the beginning of the season. My teammates were giving me hints but I never payed attention. I just did my job and I give God all the glory.
Do you have any advice for young softball players out there who are striving to play softball at the college level?
Never give up. Always have confidence in yourself. Don't let what others think about what you do or who you are get in the way. Set goal and stick to them. Most importantly, look to the Lord for he will lead you down the right path. I know. He did it for me and He continues to work in my life.
When was the first time you set goals and actually wrote them down?
I used to always have goals in mind. But I would never write them down. I always had them in the back of my mind. My first time that I had ever written my goals down was when I started attending the University of Hawaii. We had a goal book and we wrote down our individual goal for every practice, our team goal for the season, and our team goal for every game. This was a great way for me to look back at my goals whenever I wasn't feeling my best. I would always look back and realize that I have to achieve my individual goal in order to fulfill my role on the team, which in turn accomplishes the team goal because everything works together.
At the Division I College Level ~ many players have talent. In your opinion what qualities separate great softball players from the rest?
Qualities that separate great softball players from the rest have nothing to do with physical ability. Once again, attitude is everything. Drive and determination are key factors. If you watch the Olympic players on TV, they always have positive attitudes no matter what the situation. They know the game like the back of their palms. They know every aspect about the game that will eventually make them better players as well as better people. Their mentality about the game really boosts their confidence and self-esteem. Being that role model on the team, that leader, that person that everyone can look up to. That's what makes a great softball player.
What can parents do to help their child become the best they can be?
Parents need to be there for their children, everyday, no matter what. Sacrifice, that is the most important. A parent must sacrifice for their children. My mom sacrificed her time, energy, and just her entire being to help me become more knowledgeable in the game, and it worked great. I thank her for that.
Thanks for talking with us Kaulana! Best wishes on the upcoming season.
A few notes...
Kaulana's comments on attitude and the mental part of the game fall right in line with some of the "Attitude" articles on our Articles Page. As far as mental training to improve performance, don't forget to take a look at http://www.allaboutfastpitch.com/peaksports.html.
If you haven't set goals yet, go ahead and download the free Goal Setting Worksheet available to you at http://www.allaboutfastpitch.com/GSW.pdf.
Don't think you can handle the pressure on defense? Don't forget "It's Just a Ground Ball".
Kaulana also talked about how a "goal book" helped her out. In our e-book, "Keeping Softball Fun", you'll find information about a similar tool for your players. It's not focused only on goals, but it still provides a resource for players to fall back on when they need it. For more information on "Keeping Softball Fun" visit http://www.allaboutfastpitch.com/keeping-softball-fun.html.
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