By Staff
Charles Prince, Hartselle Enquirer
It was a beautiful sunny day in the spring of 2000. The Falkville softball team was practicing.
The Lady Blue Devil shortstop was fielding ground balls. Suddenly, she lay on the ground motionless.
Teammates and coaches rushed to her side. Amanda Holmes, a freshman at Falkville, had passed out.
It was not the first time she had passed out. Amanda's mother decided it was time to find out the reason. A trip to the doctor revealed the cause of Holmes troubles.
The 14-year old was diagnosed with asthma, hypoglycemia and high blood pressure.
"The doctor told me if I felt bad after resuming playing, that I might have to quit," Holmes said.
Four years later, Holmes is a senior and the starting shortstop for the Lady Blue Devils.
Holmes takes medication to control her high blood pressure and uses an inhaler to combat her asthma attacks.
Holmes hypoglycemia is controled by another means.
"I eat all the time," Holmes said. "I have to keep my sugar level up. If it drops I feel horrible."
Holmes has helped the Lady Blue Devils to seven wins in their first 14 games. She is batting .361 this season with nine walks, 10 stolen bases, 11 runs scored and has six RBIs.
Holmes, who also played volleyball for Falkville, has a favorite between her two sports.
"Softball is my favorite sport," Holmes said. "I hope I can play college ball. Volleyball is fun, but it's not softball."
Holmes thinks seniors should take on leadership roles on their teams.
"I try to pick up my teammates when things are going good," Holmes said. "I try to encourage them to play hard. I think it's what a senior should do."
Holmes credits her coaches and teammates for helping her to continue to play.
"When I have an asthma attack, I lose my breath completely," Holmes said. "It's scary when it happens and my heart starts racing. But, you can't get your breath back until you calm down. My coaches and teammates always tell me to clam down and that I'm okay. That helps me to clam down and get my breath back."
Holmes doesn't let her aliments hold her back from enjoying life.
"I can do everything any teenager can do," Holmes said. "I just have to take my medications and take care of myself."
Holmes, who has played softball since the age of five, never thought of giving up playing her sport.
"I wanted to be tough about it and overcome my aliments," Holmes said. "I wanted to keep on playing. Softball-that's my thing."