DAPHNE — Daphne native and Alabama softball star Vic Moten returned to her hometown to host her inaugural Elite Softball and Leadership Camp at Daphne High School on Saturday, Aug 1.

The camp was held across two sessions on Saturday, open to girls ages 6 through 10 and ages 11 through 18. Moten and others provided softball instruction while also teaching leadership skills, confidence and life skills to better prepare them for success outside of athletics. Most importantly for Moten though, they also learned how to have fun while playing softball.

“I just feel like you have to want to be there; that’s the first part,” Moten said on keeping it fun while playing at an elite level. “A lot of people lose direction on why they want to play or how long they want to play. I just feel like keeping it fun, having friends on the team, trusting the process, the work you put in at practice leads to you being able to have fun during the games.”

Moten played softball at Daphne High School and earned numerous accolades with the Trojans, including twice being named Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year. She began her college career last season at the University of Alabama, where she became a important part of the Crimson Tide’s pitching rotation, earning freshman All-American and freshman All-SEC honors after posting an 18-4 record and 151 strikeouts en route to Alabama’s run in the Women’s College World Series.

“That was a huge part of my story, and to be able to see their stories begin here at Daphne, it means a lot to me," Moten said on returning to her alma mater for the weekend.

“Her coming back homes means a lot to us, and I know it means a lot to her, so we’re excited for it,” said Jenny Laird, head softball coach for Daphne High School, who coached Moten during her high school career.