Three-sport athlete Allison Blum can hit for power but says her speed makes her "dangerous" on the base paths in softball. (Twitter Photo)
She’s fully committed to Kentucky but Indiana softball standout Allison Blum didn’t sign with the Wildcats during the recent national signing period because she’s only a junior.
“Kentucky has been my dream school for several years,” Blum, a shortstop, said. “When I was younger I tried to go to as many camps as possible. I went to Kentucky’s camp and loved the coaches and atmosphere. It just felt like a fun place. I started watching Kentucky football and basketball and just blossomed into a Kentucky fan.”
She actually committed to Kentucky over rival Louisville. Blum simply felt more “at home” at Kentucky.
“It was just the perfect place. Not too far from home but also not too close,” she said. “It just dawned on me that this is where I wanted to go to school, so I made my decision.”
It’s not hard for Blum to describe what makes her special on the softball field.
“I am very fast. That’s definitely one of my biggest strengths when it comes to sports (she also plays soccer and basketball),” she said. “I have a really good ability to know when to steal (a base) and when not to steal and test catchers. I am pretty dangerous on the base paths.
“I can hit for power but I am not a big power hitter. I can also lay down a bunt. My speed helps my hitting. It also helps with the range I need to play shortstop for the harder plays. I think playing other sports helped with my athleticism and made me a better athlete.”
Blum, a top 50 player nationally in her recruiting class, has played three sports since she was 3 years old. She loves soccer and softball and contemplated not playing basketball.
“But I didn’t have the heart to tell my coach that I wanted to quit because she has done a lot for me as far as letting me do things for softball during basketball,” Blum said. “I don’t have a lot of breaks with free time because I am always in a sport but I like it. I have never done track because it conflicts with softball but I have been joking that I might actually try a few meets this year.”
Blum is not as talented in soccer as softball but she’s been her team’s offensive player of the year and MVP. She can play offense or defense depending on what the team needs.
“I will miss soccer in college,” she admitted.
However, she has no doubts that softball is her best sport and why she wants to play for Kentucky coach Rachel Lawson. Current UK shortstop Erin Coffel lives about 15 minutes from Blum’s hometown but the future Cat really does not know her personally.
“But know about her,” Blum said.
Blum hit .394 with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs and 45 runs scored as a sophomore for New Palestine High School.
“I have always been a good contact hitter. I hit to all fields and love to stretch a single into a double or a double into a triple with my speed,” she said. “I am not a slapper. I am a right-handed hitter who is just fast.”
She’s also just a bit superstitious. Blum, age 16, always wears her hair the same way every time she plays and also keeps two rubber ducks in the front pocket of her bat bag.
“I was playing 12U (12 and under) and there was a claw machine that had rubber ducks. The third baseman and I got those (ducks). I keep Jerry and Gary (the ducks’ names) in my bat bag. They are good luck charms. Nobody messes with them.”
It’s not wise to mess with Blum, either, because she quickly notes she is a “no crap-taking person” most of the time.
“When it comes to people I care about I can be pretty soft but when it comes to stupid things in the world, I just find them dumb. I don’t like drama. I don’t get in the middle of battles between friends. I just tell them to fix it,” she said.
Blum has an outgoing, engaging personality. She says she has never been shy and will talk to anybody.
“On the field I try to communicate all I can. I am very focused on the field. I won’t be the player doing chants and cheers. I like to be focused and dialed in,” she said. “I am not mean. I am just more of an encouraging person but I will communicate softball things with teammates on the field.”
Lawson likes versatile players and Blum knows she could play positions other than shortstop at UK.
“But she (Lawson) has told me she is looking at me as the shortstop recruit in my class,” Blum said. “If they needed me to play second or outfield or something else, that is fine. But as of now they want me to be a shortstop and that’s good with me.”
