Cameron Hall Takes Positive Mental Approach to Softball, Life

by Savannah Vasquez

NICEVILLE, Fla. - Meditation and softball might not usually be found in the same sentence, but for Raiders softball player Cameron Hall, it's a way of life.

"I first started getting into meditation maybe a year or two ago, I was just going through a rough time and I wanted to better myself mentally," she said of the practice. "Before a game I listen to positive outcome frequencies or something to ease my mind because I'm always nervous before a game."

Hall even has a dedicated meditation corner in her dorm room where she often sits to center herself before the day. She said that the self-reflection has helped her be calmer and more at ease with herself, as she tends to be a very detail-oriented person.

A self-proclaimed perfectionist, both on and off the field, Hall said she plans to use her eye for detail to pursue a career in architecture. A walking tribute to her artistic side, Hall has a sleeve of self-made tattoos on display on her left arm.

"I started tattooing myself in March of last year," she said with a smile. "I was so nervous I was shaking, but it actually turned out really good."

When it comes to softball, her precision has given her an edge as a multi-use player, excelling in the roles of catcher, third base and first base positions.

"At first I didn't like being moved around the field, but I grew to understand that there's a lot of good people on the team and I'm going to play where I'm needed," she said, noting that so far for the Raiders she has primarily played first base.  "I'm not too picky about it anymore, I guess I'll play anywhere." 

Hailing from the small town of Pineville, La., Hall said the offer to play for coach Andy Lee at Northwest Florida State was one that she just couldn't pass up.

"Being able to leave that city and hopefully do something great here in Florida is really a blessing," she said. "Not many people get that opportunity where I'm from, so I'm grateful for every day that I'm here."

For more information on Northwest Florida State Athletics, visit NWFRaiders.com or follow the team on Twitter at @NWFRaiders.