Class of 2022 Nimitz High School graduate Ximena Zamarron is still knocking it out of the park! A superstar softball shortstop during her time as a Nimitz Viking, Zamarron has been named the 2022 Texas Rangers Youth Academy Youth of the Year.
“I received a text message from one of my coaches from the youth academy asking if I was available for a Zoom meeting, and that’s when they surprised me,” says Zamarron. “It was all just really exciting for me. I didn’t know it was going to happen.”
Zamarron was recognized on the field at Minute Maid Park on October 29, prior to the start of Game 2 of the 2022 Major League Baseball World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros. In addition to the all-expenses-paid trip to the World Series, Zamarron will also receive a $20,000 scholarship.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I just feel really blessed that they awarded me with this scholarship,” says Zamarron. “They have always supported me. I’ve been there since the Texas Rangers Youth Academy first opened, and I just feel so grateful for everything. Not everybody gets this opportunity, and I don’t take it for granted.”
The Youth of the Year recognition is awarded annually to a dedicated Rangers Youth Academy athlete that demonstrates excellence on and off the field.
“My family has always been a baseball family. Ever since I was little, I was playing tee ball with my siblings, and I’ve always been into it,” says Zamarron. “My love for softball grew over the years, and I do it because I love it. If it wasn’t for softball, I don’t know that I would be going to college.”
In addition to regularly attending year-round softball programming and participating in the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) League during her time at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, Zamarron has been selected to compete in several special events, tournaments and international competitions, including:
- 2018: Jennie Finch Classic Team
- 2018: Elite Development Invitational
- 2018: Rangers RBI Regional Softball All-Star Team
- 2019: MLB Grit
- 2019: Jennie Finch Classic Team
- 2019: Elite Development Invitational
- 2021: Rangers RBI Regional Softball All-Star Team (Runners-Up)
- 2021: Softball Breakthrough Series
- 2021: Jennie Finch Classic Team (Champions)
- 2021: Mexico 18U Junior National Team: Pan American Games (Silver Medalists)
- 2022: Rangers RBI Regional Softball All-Star Team (Runners-Up)
Now a freshman at Paris Junior College, Zamarron is looking forward to continuing her softball career at the collegiate level with hopes of one day playing professionally and in the Olympics.
“Wherever God wants me to go, that’s where I’ll go,” says Zamarron. “I would like to play as long as I can. If one day I can’t play anymore, I would definitely come back to coach because I would still want to be around the game and try to help as many girls as I can.”
