By J.R. Tidwell / Editor

Abby Tindol of Billingsley School will be moving on to play the sport she loves, softball, at the next level.

She made the destination of the next step in her athletic career official March 21 by signing with Faulkner University in Montgomery. Tindol put pen to paper during a ceremony held that morning in the school’s lunchroom.

“I have been playing softball since I was 5,” Tindol said. “It keeps me active. Softball has always been my passion ever since I was a young girl.”

Tindol said she found out in November that Faulkner would be offering her a spot with the team.

“I am very grateful to have the opportunity to further my career at Faulkner,” she said. “It feels great to be able to keep doing what I love.”

Billingsley head softball coach J.T. Lawrence spoke highly of Tindol and what she meant to his team.

“She has played varsity ball for us since her seventh grade year,” he said. “She has played 180-something games for us. She has won numerous postseason awards. The younger kids look to her leadership if we’re in a slump.

“If we need a hit and she’s at the plate, they anticipated her coming through for us. People feed off of her energy. We are definitely going to miss her next year. She will be hard to replace.”

Lawrence said Faulkner is getting not only an “all-around athlete,” but a “great kid” as well.

“She has played multiple positions on the field for us,” he said. “She has good speed, and a good stick at the plate. She can hit for power, and she can hit for a base hit. She is a good leader with a good work ethic.

“That’s what we told the Faulkner coaches. You are not only getting a great athlete, you’re getting a great student. She has never done anything to put us as coaches, her team or her school in a negative light her whole career. That’s just as important, if not more important, than her athleticism.”

Tindol said she is still undecided on what major she will pursue during her time at Faulkner, but she said she might look into the field of speech pathology.

As far as looking back on her time playing at Billingsley School, Tindol said she will remember everyone being like “family.”

“Everyone here is so close,” she said. “I’ve been privileged to have my dad as a coach since I was a little girl. All the girls I play softball with I’ve been playing with since I was young. We have a connection.”