If this is in fact the last season Amber Flores plays organized softball, the Palisades High senior outfielder is leaving quite the lasting impression.
Flores, who has played the sport for 12 years, is a three-year team captain who leads the Dolphins both by example and by force. She was hitting .545 with 12 RBI, 13 runs scored and the team’s lone home run through Pali’s first six Western League games. The center fielder also has four stolen bases, highlighting another key element of her game: speed.
Flores recalled making the transition from middle infielder to center fielder at age 12 at the urging of her travel ball coach.
“Since I’m fast it’s easier for me to get to the ball,” Flores said. “I enjoy the running. You have a lot more time out there. Balls aren’t hit out to you as frequently, so there’s more pressure when they are. And your arm has to be developed really well, because if you don’t hit your cutoff, it can be really hectic.”
This season has been particularly special for Flores, whose father, Manuel, is in his first year coaching the team. This is nothing out of the ordinary for them, however. Manuel, who works as a general building contractor, has coached a number of Amber’s little league and travel teams and was an assistant with the Corona Angels, one of Southern California’s elite softball organizations.
When he joined the Dolphins, he already knew a number of the players from having coached travel ball. He inherited the program from Ray Marsden, who guided Pali to its first two Western League titles in school history in 2011 and 2012. For Amber, those achievements were particularly satisfying.
“There are memories of Pali softball that bring smiles to my face, but I think about the first time we won Western League in my first year as captain,” Flores said. “There was just so much energy on our team. That’s what I love about my team, we just have the strength inside to keep going, keep pushing.”
This season, the Dolphins (8-3 overall, 6-0 Western League) are battling with Venice (6-0) and Hamilton (6-2) for the league crown. However it shakes out, having her father there to experience it with her will be special for Flores.
“He’s been a coach of mine outside of Pali, so I’ve gotten over the whole my-dad’s-my-coach thing, but I like having him around,” Flores said. “It’s my last year here, so him being here to share it with me is really cool.”
Flores’ love for the game can also be traced back to family roots. Her older brother, Adam, played baseball at PaliHi and graduated in 2010. Watching him play as she grew up motivated her to play, and she took on a leadership role rather naturally. Her teammates voted her as captain her sophomore season, and she embraced the challenge.
“I do hold my teammates to a pretty high standard,” said Flores, who will attend UC Davis this fall but not play softball. “They have to have the mentality that they’re representing the Palisades on and off the field. They’re like my sisters and I love them. Sports brings all these emotions. You weep and cry together.
“As captain, the girls look up to me and respect me. They know I hold them to high standards, but they achieve them and they always try hard, and I respect that.”
The Dolphins hosted Venice on Tuesday and play at Venice this afternoon. They play Taft on Saturday in the Spring Fling tournament before returning to league with two games against Hamilton next week, on the road Tuesday and at home Thursday at 3 p.m.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.