Name: Kaidance Till
Nickname: Punk, KT, Oner
Hometown: Germantown Hills, Illinois
Grad Year: 2025
Travel Team: Virginia Unity - Johnson/Ross
Coaches: Josh Johnson, Jay Ross
High School: Metamora Township High School, Illinois
Positions: SS/2B/3B
Height: 5’6"
Bat/Throw: Left/Right
Overhand Velocity: 73
Exit Velocity off Tee: 80
Intended Study Major: Business
Email: tillkaidance@gmail.com Twitter: @KaidanceTill Instagram: @kaidancetill
How did your softball journey begin? - I’ve been playing since I was about 4 years old. I always played-up until I was about in 6th grade. I was always around softball/baseball so I just fell in love with the game because of my surroundings. I realized that I could have a future/career with this sport so I stuck with it and decided to work.
How does it feel knowing that you are ranked as one of the nation’s top elite prospects for your grad year and what do you attribute to your amazing success and achievements? - Getting the opportunity to be named as one of the Top 10 players in my class just shows me that my work is paying off and that all the hours I’ve spent working to be where I am today. It shows me that it was all worth it and that if I’ve made this much success now it pushes me to continue to keep working
As a Shortstop and Middle Infielder, you have to be an outstanding fielder and thrower with range. What is it like playing Shortstop for one of the top teams in the nation? How have you been so successful? - For throwing I’ve always had a good arm … I think some of it has to do with my genetics but also with the help of my mom and dad. They studied the way to throw and gave me workouts and had me follow throwing programs to do and that really helped. They also just taught me the correct throwing mechanics from a young age and it mostly just came natural. Fielding is the same way, I’ve been a Middle Infielder since Day 1. It took me a while to get comfortable at the position but with time and practice it just started to come easier.
What is your greatest strengths as a softball player and why should coaches want you on their team? - I’m a coachable player and I’m always wanting to know what I can do to be better for myself and my team. You give me the work I’ll do it. I also know how to have fun and can easily get pumped up and have energy.
Not only are you an outstanding Shortstop/Second Basemen, you are also a feared hitter. What kind of hitter are you and what are your most recent offensive stats? - I’m a smart hitter who knows what my swing is and what my pitches are to hit. I can drive in runs and I’m an aggressive hitter who is always looking to get on base.
- 69 Games Played
- 101-187 (.540 BA)
- .629 OBP
- 1.827 OPS
- 1.198 SLG
- 20 HR’s
- 28 Doubles
- 12 Triples
- 60 XBH’s
- 56 RBI
- 75 Runs
- 32 Stolen Bases
Kaidance Till going yard
"Dynamic player! Kaidance has power to all fields and hits for a high average. A lock down defender with a strong arm makes her a high interest prospect for the next level."
- Coach Jay Ross, Virginia Unity - Johnson/Ross
What is your favorite sports memory and greatest achievement? - One of my best achievements is being ranked the #7 player of my class. It was just crazy to me because it showed me how all the time I put into this sport is really paying off and it’s getting recognized and I’m very blessed that I was named one of the Top 10 players.
"Lockdown Defender with a cannon who throws over 70 mph"
How would your teammates and friends describe you? - Very outgoing. I don’t really have filter as some say. I’m always laughing. I also love dancing and getting hyped before games. I also enjoy making other people laugh. I’m also a hard worker and when I know when it’s go time.
"I think Kaidance is amazing when it comes to being a player and teammate. Not only is she very talented skill-wise, Kaidance is great at pushing her teammates to be better. She knows the line of when to help a teammate and tell them it’s gonna be okay and when to push them to be better. She truly believes in her teammates when on the field and believes in getting better as a team not individually. I think as a player Kaidance is someone you will always want on your roster due to her skill and the energy she can bring. She will have confidence, faith, and trust in her teammates until the final pitch of the game. Kaidance believes in comebacks and that no deficit is too big to overcome. Kaidance is a great player, teammate, friend, and person."
- Danika Frazier, Former Teammate from 2019-2021
Who is your role-model and or idol and why? - My parents and one of my old teammates Bri Despines. My parents have taught me everything I need to know in life and with this sport. They’ve helped me learn from their experiences and they were both great players and are great people to learn from. Bri is like an older sister to me but is a person I’ve always looked up to. She’s always trying to make me a better person and she’s one of those people that I can learn from. She’s a smart player and knows the game very well and is someone I can learn from and look up to.
Bri Despines and Kaidance Till
If you could spend a day with any softball player, former or current, who would it be and why? - Jordy Bahl. I want to get to spend time with her and learn about her mental game and what she did to get to that point. How much work it took her and how she feels about college and again her mindset about the game.
What is your softball dream/goal? - To be National Player of the Year and to win a National Title. Ever since I was in 12U which was the first year I went to California it’s been a dream of mine to win the whole thing. Imagining that feeling after winning gives me goosebumps because all of the hard work you and your team put in all payed off and you all reached your goal together.
Describe your perfect softball team. - Being with a group of athletes who are all there for the same reason/and have the same goals. They know how and when to have fun but also know when it’s go time. We treat each other like family and we don’t give up on each other. We play to our full potential. Have energy and make the most of everything.
Metamora Township High School Varsity Softball - 2022
When deciding on what college team to play for what are the most important things you’re looking for? - Coaches and team chemistry is going to be the biggest thing. I don’t wanna go somewhere where the team isn’t all in together and the coaches aren’t what I’m looking for. I want to go somewhere where I know I belong there. I get a good vibe or relationship with the coaches and team as well. Location would matter too, it would be pretty nice to go somewhere warm. Team colors would also matter as well. I love the feeling when you put your uniform on and you know it looks good/feels good.
To be as successful as you are at the elite Tier 1 level requires putting in the extra work. Please tell us about all the extra work you put into your development and improvements such as strength and conditioning to private workouts. - Ever since I was 9, I would do something everyday. Where it was hitting, fielding, throwing, etc. I did that until I got to the point where I knew my swing, knew how to use the correct parts of my body, and until I was consistent. It took a lot of time to get to where I am today, but I don’t regret one thing about it. I still continue to have to work and get better just not everyday.
Kaidance Till creates chaos on the basepaths with speed and great baserunning
What other hobbies do you have to balance out softball and your personal life? - I enjoy doing other sports like volleyball. I also enjoy hanging out with friends, helping my parents with their lessons etc.
What bit of advice or mentorship can you share with younger players or others who strive to be successful as you? - Softball is a game of failure and you cant give up on yourself. It’s a sport where you're going to want/have to work a lot at. There’s going to be people out there wanting to be better than you. You have to have WANT. You’re going to have to make sacrifices to be the best that your capable of being.
Who would you like to thank for your softball achievements and support? - My parents. They pushed me and helped me the whole way through. They were there for the good times and bad times and they did everything they could to get me where I am today. They took time out of their day to work with me. They studied the game for me and to help me get better. They missed work so I could make it to my tournaments. They made a lot of sacrifices for me and I’m very grateful for that.
Till Family
Additional Information about Kaidance:
Walk up Song: Magic Stick
Favorite Food: Mexican
Favorite Song: The Way I Are
Favorite Sports Team: St Louis Cardinals
Favorite Sports Celebrity: Mike Trout
Favorite Movie: Fast and Furious
Favorite TV Show: Stranger Things
Favorite Book: All the Lovely Bad Ones
Favorite Travel Spot: California
Favorite Quote: "In a world full of fish, be a shark."
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