MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif -- MCLB Barstow fire inspector Michelle S. Bledsoe was inducted into the University of Redlands Athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony May 3.
The induction came as no surprise to Bledsoe's longtime friend and confidant Loretta M. Becknall, a management assistant in the Office of the Comptroller here.
"She's very athletic, dedicated and hard-working," said Becknall.
Bledsoe, who was born in Newberry Springs and subsequently moved to Barstow, showed interest in sports even as a child.
"I used to stand in my backyard and hit rocks with a baseball bat," quipped Bledsoe.
Her mother enrolled her and coached her first softball team when Bledsoe was the age of six.
Sports were an important part of her life all the way through high school.
Bledsoe attended Silver Valley High School, where she was active in softball and volleyball. After high school she wasted no time and enrolled at the California State University of San Bernardino.
Bledsoe didn't play any sports the year she attended Cal State, and she soon transferred to the University of Redlands, where she was recruited for volleyball.
Bledsoe, however, chose softball instead, and got involved with the softball program at Redlands almost immediately.
"I played short-stop and pitched," said Bledsoe.
Balancing a tight schedule of work, softball and academics, Bledsoe dreamed of one day being a hall of fame athlete.
"I worked at the gym and I used to dust the (hall of fame) plaques. I always thought to myself, 'That would be awesome'."
Bledsoe focused on her dreams even when the "going got rough," and felt constant support from her friends and family, she said.
"My grandma has always motivated me," said Bledsoe with a smile.
Motivation and true grit were key factors leading to academic achievements of Bledsoe's.
After graduating college with a bachelor's in psychology, Bledsoe faced a new challenge in her life that has made all the difference since.
"I had a baby and decided to be a Mom," Bledsoe stated.
Her daughter, Chelsea, 7, is willfully following in her mother's footsteps and playing on a youth softball league.
"I encourage her, and she wants to play," said Bledsoe.
Long before she was destroying opponents on the softball field, Bledsoe began her career here as a summertime childcare specialist at the Child Development Center.
"I first met Michelle when she was a summer hire here," said Becknall.
Their friendship blossomed, said Becknall, adding that Bledsoe's positive attitude doesn't end with sports.
"She gets along with everyone. We've been good friends for about 10 years now," she added.
Despite her talent, Bledsoe said she never considered softball a "way of life."
"It's just a stress reliever," she said.
Bledsoe's personal stats earning her the induction at Redlands include three-time All-American status, four-time all Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) player, Most Valuable Player in 1992, 1993 and 1995.
She had 41 stolen bases, 138 runs batted in, a career batting average of .440, and All-West Region player 1993, 1994 and 1995, including starting all 136 games of her career.
Currently, Bledsoe is involved in more than one softball league, adding that she plays the sport with her husband Jeremy.
Bledsoe's advice to aspiring young athletes is straight to the point: "Stay in school, always keep a positive attitude and listen to your coaches."