Alabama Softball Newcomer Q&A: Courtney Gettins
1/25/2018 3:55:00 PM | Softball
We will be posting Q&A's with each of the six newcomers on this year's Alabama softball team heading into the 2018 season. The fourth Q&A is with Courtney Gettins, the Crimson Tide's first international player, originally from Hastings, New Zealand. She arrives in Tuscaloosa following two successful seasons at Florida Southwestern Junior College, where she was a two-time All-American and the 2016 NJCAA Division I National Pitcher of the Year. She also has international experience as a pitcher for New Zealand's national team.
How did you get your start playing softball?
"Softball in New Zealand is a very family-oriented sport. My mom, dad, older brother and sister all played. I didn't really have a choice! I started when I was about eight or nine and went through the age groups. I didn't start pitching until I was about 12-years-old, which seems kind of late over here."
Did you play any other sports?
"It was always softball as the main sport. I played volleyball, rugby and net ball, which is a New Zealand sport similar to basketball. Softball was the one that stuck with me since I was around it the most."
What is the typical path for a softball player in New Zealand?
"It's very different than it is over here. We don't have collegiate sports in New Zealand, you just go to University to get your education. It's becoming a lot bigger now that players will come over to the States to get their education and play. Traditionally, you would play past college in New Zealand so it's hard for me to believe a lot of girls here finish school and are done with the sport! That's your prime time back in New Zealand. I played with people that were 35 or older so it was really interesting."
When did you start thinking about coming to the United States to play?
"My older sister, who is a catcher, went to Iona College in New York. That was how I got introduced to the idea. She's about six or seven years older than me and, at that time, there weren't many of us playing in the States. Now, there's probably at least 20 or 30."
Being an international student, how did you decide what schools to look at and how did you end up at Florida Southwestern?
"It was really tough. You have to narrow down the schools like every kid does. Big schools may not always take a risk on an international kid since there's plenty of talent in America. It was hard connecting with a school that would be willing to take that risk.
"How I ended up at Florida Southwestern was pretty random. I got a message from Coach [Robert] Iamurri's daughter [and former UA softball player] Ryan on Facebook. She asked if I would be willing to come over and pitch. It was November at that point so I would be graduating in December and I didn't have any school offers. I had to make my mind up pretty quickly and decided 'why not?' It was two years of my life and if it didn't work out, I could always come home. Two other Kiwis came over with me to Florida so that was pretty cool too."
Was there any nervousness about coming abroad to pitch at a relatively new program like Florida Southwestern?
"A little bit. It was more a positive thing for me really. We got to set our name and our standard for how we wanted the program to run and that's a big part of where the program is now. I was really fortunate coming over with other New Zealanders because if things weren't working out, I had someone I could voice my frustrations to. It's a different lifestyle but it was something that we really enjoyed. I'm really glad I took the risk, I'm sort of a risk-taker I guess!"
Was there anything that surprised you about living in the United States early on?
"With softball in New Zealand, you might practice twice a week tops, play one game a week and it's sort of cruising. There's no real intensity until you get to internationals. Here we come to practice every day and play a lot and it was a shock at first, but once we got into a routine we were fine. Culture-wise, it wasn't too bad. I think some of the other girls had a hard time understanding our accents at times, especially when we're in the game and talking a little quicker. In the end, there weren't many things we struggled with but it was good that there were three of us to help each other out."
When did Alabama come into the picture?
"My goal was always to transfer out to another school after two years. Once I got in the routine in the U.S., staying the extra two years was an easy decision. I was in my sophomore year and I think I had a month left, and by that point all the national letters and early signees were done. Coach [Patrick] Murphy and Robert [Iamurri] started talking and I thought 'what are the odds?' Jackie Traina, who pitched here, also came down to Florida and was our pitching coach for a season and the link to Coach Robert and Alabama. I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason so I really went with my gut coming here."
Did you get a chance to see the campus and meet the coaches before you committed?
"I came down on the LSU weekend on a visit to watch the Friday night game and head back on Saturday. I met Coach [Murphy] and we looked around a little bit. I didn't get to look around or anything before I went to FSW so it was nice to come here and actually look around a bit. Once I got here and saw the team play, I knew it felt right. This was where I wanted to be."
What were your first impressions of the University of Alabama?
"It's amazing how pretty the campus is. It's huge! I struggled a bit with that at the start. Going to the game was pretty overwhelming. I've had the opportunity to play on the national team in front of big crowds but I think the atmosphere and environment here is different. The fans here are amazing, they're so into it. It's cool to play in front of people that really want it for you. That was something that really drew me here. It's a big sport at Alabama."
Do you think your playing experience at Florida Southwestern and on the New Zealand national team has helped you make the transition to Alabama?
"I was a little nervous coming here, but my experience from FSW will help me here. New Zealand is a country that's always on the verge of making the top four but those struggles have definitely helped me too. I understand that not everything will always go right but there's always a way to bounce back. Learning to cope with those tough situations is really helpful as a pitcher."
How have you seen the team come together over the year so far?
"It's been really cool. I had some anxiety coming here, leaving my comfort zone and my other New Zealanders. I was nervous but the girls have been amazing making me feel welcome. We're all getting along and the girls and coaches have been amazing, trying to understand where I come from and what makes me unique.
"Alexis [Osorio] and Steph [VanBrakle Prothro] have really guided me and [freshman pitcher] Madison [Preston] and let us know the standard that we need to have at Alabama. Steph is a very vocal coach and Lex has experience with her so they work well together to really help us know what we need to do. Madison and I get along very well and we've already learned so much being here."
What was it like stepping onto the field at Rhoads Stadium for the first game in the fall?
"I think I've always been nervous when I play. I think it's good to have nerves some times because it reminds you you're human. I was super excited to get out there. It was a little surreal because I remember being back in New Zealand and watching them win the national championship on TV. Softball doesn't get played a lot on TV so they only play the big games. I watched Jackie [Traina] pitch for Alabama on TV, she coached me at Florida Southwestern and now I'm on the mound where she pitched. It was a little 'pinch-me' moment."
Looking ahead to the season, what are some of your goals?
"We want to win the whole thing! We go out there to compete and to win. I'm looking forward to playing this year. I'm looking forward to learning and understanding the opponents we're facing through the year since they're all new to me. I'm a big competitor and hate to lose. It's about going out there with a 'never-say-die' attitude for me."
