2009 Female Player: Cinda Liefer
/Cinda Liefer
Perhaps no one has hustled their way into the Illinois Hall of Fame the way Cinda Liefer has, as the speedy outfielder from Red Bud consistently turned routine singles into doubles for her Dashners team.
Cinda describes herself as a walking scab, due to the numerous scrapes and scars she has accumulated through her years of playing a sport she loves. Those on-diamond battle wounds define the success that she has found over her numerous years of participation, and she still plays with the same competitive spirit as she did during those years of 200 plus game seasons in the late ‘80s.
Cinda led her Dashners squad to several State Tournament titles during her 12 years of USSSA play from 1985 through 1997, while also earning a State Tournament Most Valuable Player nod prior. In 1989, she found her greatest softball thrill, as her beloved Dashners team finished eighth in the Class C World Tournament in Muncie, Indiana, which was their best finish in many visits to World Tournament play.
For Cinda, who batted over .600 during all 12 years of her USSSA competition, the game has always been about the team as she states, “I strive to do anything for my team and help my teammates succeed.”
“Softball is my life and I would not do anything differently if done over.”
At her softball peak, Cinda registered an outstanding season in 1988 with a .710 batting average and 206 doubles.
At age of 50, Cinda still competes, as her thrill of competition has not dwindled. She states, “Softball is my life and I would not do anything differently if done over.”
She is also very grateful to the USSSA organization, which provides opportunity to so many with their leadership and tournaments provided, while also praising the USSSA umpires for a job well done.
Cinda has shown us all what effort can provide, as she has successfully hustled and hit her way into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.