From heartache to home runs: Booker defines strength

Sydney Booker has become one of the best softball players in the region. (FILE PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

By Aldo Amato 

Staff Reporter 

MADISON — After losing her brother Ryan Winkelmann in January, Sydney Booker has shown her strength on and off the softball fields.

Booker tied an AHSAA record for home runs in a game with three on April 19. The junior third base player has been on a recent tear lately for the Bob Jones Patriots softball team and has attracted attention from various universities.

However it is her mental drive and humble approach to the game is what Booker’s mother said keeps her daughter focused.

“She has always been a fan of sports since she was 2 years old,”  DeLourdes Booker said. “Her competitive spirit has always been with her and all of my children in the sports that they play. Ryan had that spirit and I see the same thing in her.”

Sydney Booker said her drive started at an early age.

“I was five when I started playing softball,” she said. “What drives me I guess is trying to be the best and being part of a great team.”

Booker said she thinks her brother, who played Patriots football at Bob Jones before serving tours in Iraq, would want her to keep pushing herself to be the best player and teammate she could be.

“I just show up and try hard to do the focus on the games,” Booker said. “I know that’s what he would want me to do. You know, just keep moving forward. Keep trying to be No.1 with my teammates.”

Booker’s coach Kent Chambers said Booker never has put herself above anyone else ever since he spotted her as a freshman.
“She never enjoys the attention,” he said. “Sydney is the definition of a silent player and she’s progressed every year always willing to be the best teammate she can be.”

Booker has 10 home runs on the season, one short of Bob Jones’ record. When she is not out on the diamond, Booker excels as a member of the Bob Jones Lady Patriots basketball team and hopes to one day play both basketball and softball in college.

Booker said if she had any advice for young girls wanting to pick up the game of softball it would only come down to one simple rule.

“The main reason you play is to have fun,” she said.  “Just don’t forget to have fun.”

Booker’s younger sister Shelby hopes to play varsity softball at James Clemens next year and compete against her sister for one year. Booker’s brother Dylan plays football at James Clemens and her older sister Savanah used to play softball at Bob Jones before going off to college at Jacksonville State University.

“Ryan was proud of all of his siblings,” DeLourdes Booker said. “He was their biggest fan.”