Birmingham Thunderbolts Organization:
Name: Keesheinna Titi
Nickname: Tia
Hometown: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Grad Year: 2024
Travel Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts 2024 Green
High School: Gulf Shores High School
Positions: Catcher/Third Base
Height: 5’4"
Bat/Throw: Right/Right
Pop Times: 1.7
Recent Catching Stats: 50%+ out put, 4/7 - 7 caught stealing thrown out of 4 attempts
Coaches: Andre Burns, Quan Green, Amy McKenzie, Johnathan Thompson, Rocky Thompson
Overhand Velocity: 75 mph
Exit Velocity off Tee: 70 mph
Home to First or 20 yds: 3.4
Intended Study Major: Sports Medicine
Email: tiatiti66 http://gmail.com
Twitter: TiaTiti2024
Instagram: ketiti.38
Who are you? I’m Tia Titi. I’m a Samoan decent and I'm the youngest sibling. I love listening to music and hangout with friends.
How did your softball journey begin? I actually wanted to play baseball first because I saw my brother play. My uncle put me in coach-pitch and he was also my first coach. When I saw him go out into the field i asked him why isn’t a girl going out there and he told me he had to pitch and I told him “lame.”
How does it feel knowing that you’re considered one of the nation’s top prospects for your grad year and what do you attribute to your amazing success and achievements? If you would’ve told me 10 years ago that i would be one of the top prospects then I would’ve called you crazy. It’s so unbelievable and i appreciate all the coaches that have helped me along the way. I achieve by working hard and believing in God.
As a Catcher, you have to be both physically and mentally tough. You have to think like coaches and command the defense. How have you been so successful? I think I’ve done a very good job. I love joking around but when it gets serious then we’re always locked in. I mostly enjoy having a good relationship with the Pitchers. I love joking around them and making them feel relaxed during games in tight situations. As for defense, then I know 100% they would have my back. We have a very mature and advanced defense.
What are you thinking when you have speedy runners on-base and you know they are going to try to steal on you? When I have speedy runners on-base I try to think ball first, smooth transition, and hard/fast throw. I trust my defense enough to be there so I never have to really worry about them not being there.
What is your greatest strengths as a softball player and why should coaches want you on their team? My greatest strength is my IQ, energy, and my voice. I think coaches should want me because even in the worse situations I’ve had my defense calm down and get the last couple of outs. I try to reassure them that it’s one bad inning and that we’re gonna come back even harder.
Not only are you an outstanding Catcher, you are also a feared hitter. What kind of hitter are you and what are your most recent offensive stats? I like to think I’m an all around hitter, I’ve hit in clutch situations, when the ball needed to be behind the runner, and when we needed the ball on the ground. This past week my BA was .436, 12 RBI, 2 Home Runs, and .412 OBP.
Describe your leadership style? My leadership style is very goofy but serious. Only goofy because I love having a good time on the field. Even in tight situations I try to make sure everyone is calm and that the Pitcher can rely on the defense that we will be right behind her. It’s serious when it needs to be.
You’re obviously very busy with so many activities and events in your life. How do you balance your life and manage your time so effectively? I balance by calling my mom, dad, siblings, and kambrie in the morning. I give them updates on how I did and the game after. When I’m home I go hit with Ashlyn Burns (teammate) for about 2 hours and then spend the last hour working on little defensive drills that will help and improve us in some way.
Describe your gameday mental preparation and your thought process in the batters box. My gameday preparation starts with me reading my mental health journal from the day before. I started a journal during school ball and it has helped me ever since. After a game I write down on the good and bad I did on hitting and catching and then write my adjustments and what i could do better. When I’m done with that I leave a mental note on how I’m doing and feeling. In the box i think “barrel barrel barrel”.
What is your favorite sports memory and greatest achievement? I honestly can’t choose a favorite memory but one of the best is definitely recently event. Sofia Elliot would always strike out the last batter and I’d throw the ball up and we would sprint towards each other and high five each other in the air. Also the Home Runs hat.
How do you handle adversity and even failure? I try to think that one bad at-bat or play does not define you and it’s how you recover that matters most.
How would your teammates and friends describe you? I think they would describe me as the funniest person ever. My teammates would describe me as the “life of the party” which is funny because whenever we have time, breaks, or we’re done for the day we would have a “party in Tia's room” which is when everyone comes in my room and even teammates that might be in a different hotel would come.
Who is your role-model and or idol and why? My role model is definitely my family. All of them. They all have faced challenges in life that I can’t even comprehend. The love and support we give each other is sometimes all I need.
If you could spend a day with any softball player, former or current, who would it be and why? I would definitely spend it with Chloe Talia from Mississippi State. The vibe she gives off and the energy is amazing. She’s like a shot of espresso and everyone is always happy around her.
What is your softball dream/goal? My softball goal and dream is to hopefully play and succeed at a high level competition. I want to make my family proud and so when the times come they can video the TV because they will see me playing the sport I fell in love with.
Describe your perfect softball team. The team I have now. Hands down. I feel like we have the best bond and the way we all connect when we’re together is unmatchable.
When deciding on what college team to play for what are the most important things you’re looking for? When deciding on what college I look into academics, team chemistry w/ coaches and each other, and yes looking at the winning history is important but I want to be able to study whatever major I choose.
What other hobbies do you have to balance out softball and your personal life? Probably hanging out with friends. I love spending quality time around the people I love and that make me happy. I really cherish times with my friends.
Who would you like to thank for your softball achievements and support? I would like to thank all the coaches that helped me, gave me chances, and opportunities. I want to thank my Uncle Robert and my mom because without them I wouldn’t be here where I am now. Including all my family.
Additional Information About Tia:
Walk up Song: Walk it Talk it by Migos
Favorite Food: Shrimp Alfredo
Favorite Song: Die Young by Kesha
Favorite Music Artist: Stephen Sanchez
Favorite Sports Team: LA Lakers
Favorite Sports Celebrity: Kobe Bryant
Favorite Movie: We Are Marshall
Favorite Sports Movie: 42
Favorite Book: any of the Diary of the Wimpy Kid books
Favorite Travel Spot: Pearl Street in Colorado
Favorite Quotes:
“Pick it today, choose to be great, choose to better yourself” -- Coach Hop
“It’s a dog fight but we are the strongest dog” -- Coach Quan
“Choose to be great, change the culture” -- Coach Hop
