Rising high school junior Bailey Dowling is one of the top shortstops in her home state of Illinois, but being social wasn’t something she was very interested in as a child. 

Well before Dowling became a prized verbal commitment for Alabama's softball program, her mom signed her up for soccer and eventually her future sport of choice, much to the chagrin of Dowling at the time. 

“I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to meet new people because I didn’t like change. But she made me go," she said.

After hitting off the tee and playing catch, Dowling couldn’t get enough. 

“I loved it. Three or four years later we put together a team out of the players in my community,” she explained.

As Dowling’s talent grew, she found herself always playing on older teams. Unfortunately, some of the older players on the 16U team she joined preyed on Dowling’s reserved and soft-spoken nature, muddling inside jokes under their breath and making her feel very uncomfortable. The older click left Dowling feeling mistreated and somewhat bullied. After talking with her parents and coaches, they decided to change teams.

They felt that the Bandits would be the right team. 

“I’ve always been nervous about changes,” Dowling said. “Our first practice was in this dome. [Ramsey Harkness] said jump right in. He would hit them and they would be really hard plays.” Much to everyone’s surprise, she made every play. 

Nerves nearly got the best of her when she was being recruited. 

“It’s always been really nerve-racking,” said Dowling, who committed to the Crimson Tide in 2016. “Even when [Alabama coach Patrick Murphy] would come to my games, I would strike out and be like, ‘No, this isn’t what I want to do.'” 

But over time, she learned that there was nothing for her to be nervous about. 

“I just told myself just go out there and play because it’s fun,” she said. 

For Dowling, there’s nothing better than playing with your best friends and having the opportunity to make amazing plays. 

Dowling is now playing for Georgia Impact Premier - Lewis.

Bailey Dowling

Grad Year: 2020

High School: St. Joseph-Ogden

Club Team: Georgia Impact Premier - Lewis

College: Alabama

Position: Shortstop

Hot 100 Rank: 14

HS Batting Avg: .657

Home Runs: 21

SLG %: 1.529

Accolades: 2018 Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year, 2018 WCIA 3 Player of the Year,  2017 WCIA 3 Softball Player of the Year

Quickfire

Why Alabama? I’m not a fan of cold weather. Alabama always felt like home and I’ve always wanted to go there since I was in the third grade.

Dream Vacation: Bora Bora or the Bahamas

If you have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Probably, my grandpa. He passed away when I was little.

Dream Car: Range Rover or a Jeep with a lift kit.

If your friends would describe you in three words, what would it be? Funny, awkward, nice.

 Dream Job: Softball instructor

Favorite Snack: Chicken-flavored ramen noodles

Favorite Restaurant: Steak 'n Shake

Secret Talent: Hacky sack

Routines or Rituals? On deck, I always do two squats. Before I swing, I do a twist then I squat then I swing.

Favorite Pump-Up Song: "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" by Big & Rich