June 27, 2024
Villages Softball Star Bailey Keller Signs with University of Fort Lauderdale
By Kyle Coppola
Villages Softball Star Bailey Keller Signs with University of Fort Lauderdale
Villages softball player Bailey Keller, a three-sport athlete at The Villages, has signed with the University of Fort Lauderdale to continue her academic and athletic career. Keller was the goalie for the soccer team, a weightlifter, and a softball player. She intends to study Business Administration in Leadership and possibly Nursing Administration.
“I am following a dream that I started a long time ago. All my mentors and Faith have brought me this far. I am honored to sign my commitment letter to play for University of Fort Lauderdale,” said Bailey.
(Bailey Keller signs her commitment letter to University of Fort Lauderdale.)
Keller played all over the field this season. She started at first base but was moved to third base, one of the hardest positions to play. Due to most players being right-handed batters, many balls are fielded by the third baseman and shortstop. Keller had a .902 fielding percentage this year.
Bailey plays for more than just herself; she plays for her mother, Jessica Keller, who was diagnosed with cancer in November 2020. “I love seeing Bailey play; it means the world to me. She handled three sports like a champ and kept her grades up and finished the year with a 3.4 GPA. We are so happy for her to begin this next chapter of her journey,” says Jessica.
(Bailey Keller playing first base. She would also play at third base during the later part of the season.)
Throughout the season, Jessica was at every game. After several surgeries, Jessica is now in remission with medication maintenance. Every time Bailey steps out on the field, she is reminded of the fight her mother is going through, which gives her great motivation to go out and give it her all.
Bailey is the kind of player who tries her hardest no matter the circumstances. It’s hard to be good at one sport, let alone three. This girl is a go getter and no matter what she chooses to do in life she is good person and a great role model.
Congratulations to Bailey Keller for signing with the University of Fort Lauderdale. A big shout-out to her family, friends, coaches, and everyone who has had an impact on her life. Go Bailey!
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
