“The game itself is built on failure, and I had to learn how to bounce back.”
Addison Rydin’s Early Love for the Game
Addison Rydin, a class of 2028 catcher and utility player from Colgan High School in Manassas, Virginia, has a big passion for the game of softball and already knows the path she wants to take in the professional world as well.
As a young seven year old, Rydin became attracted to the game by watching her dad play in a men’s softball league. It did not take long for her to get into the game herself, and from then on she formed a true love for softball.
Unity Family Feel
After a few years of playing in the youth rec league, Addison transitioned into travel ball. Now she is a part of the Unity organization and has embraced the family feel.
“Everyone is like a big family. The whole organization is a family,” said Rydin. “Our team specifically has a very good connection, and I think that makes everything more fun.”
Rydin spoke on the bond within her team and the experience of playing in different tournaments, including Scenic City, Ray Seymour, and Clearwater. Even this past weekend, Unity Attard/Johnson competed at the Alliance Fastpitch Super Cup Qualifier in Richmond, Virginia. After a 6-1 weekend, they clinched a berth to the National Championship Series.
Always Ready to Play
Addison Rydin is always ready for the moment. Whether she is playing for the Colgan Sharks or on the travel circuit, she is prepared to fill whatever role is needed as a catcher or utility player. She already has the mechanics and knows her positions.
Last year as a freshman, Addison saw plenty of time for the Colgan Sharks and had plenty of fun with an overall successful season.
“Last year we were really good and won districts. We got pretty far in regionals, but didn not make it to states. It was one of the most fun school seasons I’ve ever had,” said Rydin.
“When it comes to playing any position, I think you just need the proper mechanics for that spot,” said Rydin. “I’ve been a catcher since I started playing softball. I started outfield a few years ago, and have been training and practicing there as well.”
Learning Through Failure
Still, softball is a sport built on failure, and Addison has already faced that reality. She admits it is better to realize that early rather than later. She has made it a point to embrace the lessons the game teaches, both physically and mentally.
She also spoke openly about how important mental health is to her. Combining sports and mental health is where she feels she can help people one day, but even now she has advice for younger players.
“I think the biggest advice I’d give anyone is to not fall into that hole of negativity because I think everyone does it, and it’s worse for some people than it is others,” said Rydin. “Just being able to stay positive and having confidence in yourself is the biggest part because the game is all about failure. What’s really hard for anyone to accept is that you’re going to fail more than you’re going to succeed.”
Last year, Rydin went through that struggle herself. The pressure of trying to be perfect took a toll on her mindset and left her questioning her confidence.
“Around this time last year, I had zero confidence in myself. My mental health, especially with softball, was in a really bad place. It was hard to accept that I was going to strike out, make errors, and fail,” Rydin explained. “The game itself is built on failure, and I had to learn how to bounce back right into the next inning. The hardest part was realizing that no matter how hard I worked or how much effort I gave, I was still going to fail sometimes.”
Through that process she rediscovered her outlook, and it changed the way she approaches the game and life.
“Having a more positive mindset and being a better person in general has really made it more fun and made me want to play more,” she said. “I’ve learned to accept the fact that not everything is going to be good, and it’s just made everything better and more fun.”
Passion for Mental Health and Academics
These lessons, paired with her success in the classroom, have shaped Addison’s goals beyond the diamond. With a 4.1 GPA, she is determined to pursue a career as a sports psychologist. She has already done her research and makes sure to ask questions at camps about whether a university’s program can help her take the right steps toward that path.
“I think my biggest passion is mental health in sports. I want to be a sports psychologist. That’s what I want to major in,” said Rydin. “It’s really important to me, and I want to help others.”
Recruiting Outlook
Speaking of camps, Addison Rydin sees the next year as an important time to find out where the recruiting process will take her. We talked about the value of attending camps at different schools and how much relationships matter in the process.
“It’s been really good being able to go to camps, see the campus, see how they coach, and see how they are with their players,” said Rydin.
While there, she makes sure she is engaged, asking questions and performing at her best. Just as important, she focuses on standing out vocally by showing strong communication and support to the other campers.
“I try to be the most vocal one there because that’s a big part of who I am. I think that makes me stand out.”
Addison understands that college coaches cannot offer her anything just yet, but she knows next fall will be the turning point as her junior year begins. For now, she is focused on leaving every coach she meets with the right impression of who she is, both as a player and as a person.
Closing Thoughts
In her sophomore year, Addison Rydin has already shown the ability and the drive to pursue the game she loves wholeheartedly. She is also a smart and thoughtful person with goals that reach far beyond the diamond. This spotlight on Rydin was meant to be as real as it gets. Too often people get caught up in the fairy tale version of the journey, but Rydin made it clear that she has already faced challenges head on.
What stood out in our conversation is how mature she has been at such a young age, learning to get back up and continue the process. That resilience will only make her stronger for whatever comes her way in life.
Addison truly enjoys the process. She loves her teammates, coaches, and the family environment that softball has given her. She also thrives in the competition, whether it’s suiting up for the Colgan Sharks, playing in the Colorado Sparkler, battling through Alliance Fastpitch events, or taking the field at Scenic City Top 25. No matter the stage, Rydin is all in and always putting her best forward.
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