MyCala Helms of Winona will be one of 48 rising seniors taking part in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star Fast-Pitch events set for June 1-2 on the campus of Jones County Junior College in Ellisville.
"I'm excited about it," Helms said. It is going to let me play in front of people who haven't had an opportunity to see me yet and hopefully help me get a chance to play at the next level."
Helms, who mainly pitched for Winona High School this past season, is a utility player for her travel team — the Mississippi Blast, which is based out of Clinton.
"I kind of like playing different positions," she said. "I like playing defense and being out in the field. You get to make plays out there."
She said she watched East Mississippi and Jones play earlier this year and also went to watch Mississippi State. "It is incredible," she said. "It is something I would really like to get the opportunity to do."
Her father and high school coach, Steven Helms, said his daughter's versatility is a plus.
"In the future that is going to be a big asset for her," he said. "In travel ball she plays everywhere, but we (Winona High School) need her to pitch."
He also said she is solid at the plate and has potential to improve there as well. "She is going to get base hits. She knows how to put the ball in play, but she also has potential power."
This past fast-pitch season Helms hit .509 for the Lady Tigers and drove in 18 runs. She also had an on base percentage of .594 and a slugging average of .830.
The All-Star games are broken up into two divisions — 1A/2A/3A and 4A/5A/6A — with there being North and South teams in each division and 12 players on each team.
Helms is playing on the 1A/2A/3A North team which is being coached by Josh Blythe of East Union. Among her teammates are Aquana Brownlee of Houston, Tyesha Cole of Philadelphia, Mycah Hall of Nettelton and the South Pontotoc duo of Lexie Ward and Destiny Catledge.
"I really don't know any of the girls on my all-star team," Helms said. "It's a good opportunity to learn from the other girls and see how they go about things. I'm really looking forward to it."
There will be two games on Friday and two on Saturday with admission to the event being $5.
The 1A/2A/3A game is set for 5 p.m. on Friday with the 4A/5A/6A game set for 7 p.m. Players for all four teams will be introduced between the two games on Friday.
On Saturday the 1A/2A/3A teams will play again at 10 a.m., followed by the 4A/5A/6A teams at noon.
