The crack of a bat. The dust rising in the wake of running feet. A ball turning in the air. Softball is a great sport that requires a lot of teamwork. Doing a sport like softball in high school or college is a great way to make new friends, play a competitive sport, and represent your school. Maggie Feng (‘24) is playing softball at MIT, ranked #2 in the United State by USNews with an acceptance rate of 4.1%. I did a Q&A with Maggie about the why, how and more behind her decision to play softball at MIT.
What got you involved in softball?
I first started playing softball when I was 6 years old, as my mom signed me up for T-Ball. When I moved to Wisconsin, we reconnected with the Dobryznski family (long time family friends) and they encouraged me to try out for the local fastpitch team!
What’s your favorite position to play?
My favorite position to play is probably shortstop; even though I am a utility player, shortstop feeds into my skills as a player and I enjoy being a leader on the diamond.
What is your favorite softball memory?
My favorite softball memory as far as Brookfield Central Softball goes is when Sammy Maples (class of 2023) hit a walk-off single against Tosa East in extra innings last season. It was one of the most exciting games I’ve played in high school and it really boosted our confidence as a team for the remainder of the season.
What are you most excited about for college?
I’m super excited to surround myself with people that have super similar interests as me and overall aspirations. Especially because I will be part of the softball program at MIT, I know that finding my crowd to run with won’t be a daunting task, so I’m excited to be a part of the community in Cambridge!
What made you decide to play softball in college?
I had always dreamed of getting an opportunity to play college softball someday, but it didn’t become surreal until around my freshman year, when the recruiting process seriously picked up. What made me go 100% for playing college softball is the fact that I am truly my happiest when I’m playing this sport and it would be hard for me to picture concluding my career following my senior year of high school.
What career or major are you considering pursuing at MIT?
I plan on majoring in Biological Engineering.
What are you going to miss most about Brookfield Central?
I will undoubtedly miss the community at Brookfield Central. From my fellow classmates to my teachers and to the administrators, I have loved every bit of the people around me.
I also did a questionnaire with a friend from Maggie’s team, Ellie Brand (‘25). She talks about having Maggie as a teammate.
What will you miss most about having Maggie on your team?
Maggie has always been an amazing teammate and someone who I have looked up to, she is very supportive and positive. Whenever anyone on the team is upset she is always the first person to check in on them and make sure they are ok. Maggie also always knows how to have fun in every situation. I will miss her positive energy and just her overall kindness.
What is your favorite memory you have of Maggie on your team?
Maggie always drove me to the games where we did not have a bus, and we would blast the song Photo ID every time. Now, whenever I hear that song, it makes me think of her.
It takes time and dedication to be great at a sport, and it definitely takes practice and a lot of hard work to play in college. Congratulations to Maggie Feng for her commitment to MIT and her dedication to softball!
