Avery Westphal played baseball for 11 years of her life, going further in that sport than most other girls. Part of her journey included becoming the first girl to ever play for the Bozeman Bucks American Legion program.

After playing on the Bucks C team in 2023, she got hurt and didn’t make a team the next season. Westphal said she received a lot of community support, though, suggesting that she make a formal switch to softball.

“It wasn't too different from baseball,” Westphal said, “and I really fell in love with the girls and the people and the coaching, and so I just kind of stuck with it and ran with it.”

The setback as a baseball player opened a door for her in softball. And with just two years in her new sport, Westphal has been able to ensure that more opportunities keep coming

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