Franklin's Kay a true diamond in the rough
Franklin's Kay breaks out to earn spot on the NOW All-Suburban team
Franklin's Natalie Kay makes an over-the-shoulder catch this season against Racine Park. Photo By Photo Courtesy of Gayle Kay
Franklin — Looking for one of the area's rising softball stars?
Looking for someone who was a true breakout player in 2010?
Look no further than Franklin junior centerfielder Natalie Kay.
Following her sophomore season, in which she batted .298, coach James Bartz said he didn't know what he would get out of Kay, especially with a position change that moved her from third base to the outfield.
But Kay impressed her coach throughout the 2010 season.
She improved her batting average by 150 percentage points to .448, had a hit in all but two of the team's 26 games, posted 27 RBI and upped her slugging percentage from .404 in 2009 to .759 this season due to 18 extra-base hits.
"This wasn't expected at all," Bartz said. "This was quite the surprise, but it really was a true testament of the work she put in during the offseason. She was very dedicated."
Transformation took time
Her breakout season earned her a spot on the 2010 All-Suburban softball team, which consists of the NOW sports staff selections and the online fan vote.
This transformation, however, wasn't just a one-year process.
Kay, who is also a member of the school's volleyball program, played on the junior varsity squad her freshman year before moving up to the varsity team for her sophomore season.
With Kay driving in at least a run a game for Bartz, he always had a reliable option he could lean on.
"I was real confident with her at the plate," he said. "She always put the ball in play and made people get her out."
As solid as she was in the batter's box, her defense might have been more notable due to the position switch. Kay committed only one error in 49 opportunities for a .980 fielding percentage and had seven outfield assists.
The move was agreed upon by both Kay and Bartz before the season began. Bartz said the switch worked perfectly because of Kay's team-first mentality.
"Natalie did a great job out there," Bartz said. "She was the quarterback of the outfield."
Success helps team improve
Her consistent play at the plate and in the field had a direct affect on the team, as Franklin improved dramatically.
Franklin doubled the amount of wins it had in each of the last two seasons and won its first playoff game before being knocked out by South Milwaukee - a team that advanced to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament.
Moreover, after the Sabers began the season 1-5, they finished 15-5, which included a stretch where they won seven in a row.
"Without her breakout year, I don't think we would have been where we were at," Bartz said.
As a result of her improved play, expectations increased for Kay. But Bartz said he knows Kay is up to the challenge, as she continues to play with her traveling team this summer.
"I expect her to take on more of a leadership role and get more vocal next year," said Bartz, who in addition to Kay will have eight seniors next year on a team that only had one this year. "She already leads by example."
When reflecting on the individual season Kay had, Bartz acknowledged he just witnessed the maturation of one of the up-and-coming softball players at Franklin and in the area.
"She's the type of player any coach would love to have on your team," Bartz said. "She's always positive and just a great kid."
→ Meet the All-Suburban Team: Player profiles and photos. Page 21
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