Mineral Wells Area News

Talented Mineral Wells athlete seeks local support to send her to Florida

By DAVID MAY

Special to Mineral Wells Area News

Kynlee Harkins was born standing on first base. She immediately stole second.

The athletically gifted 14-year-old is quickly making a name for herself on softball fields across the state and nation. The third baseman/utility player who swings an explosive bat has been selected a USSSA All-American and will participate in the 2024 All American Games-Fastpitch 14U games.

The games will take place July 29-Aug. 3 in Viera, Fla., at the Space Coast Sports Complex.

“Softball isn’t just a hobby for me. It’s my passion and my heart,” Kynlee states. “It takes dedication, perseverance, and determination to be able to compete at the level that I love. My goal is to play college softball and then onto who knows, maybe the Olympics Games.”

She said her USSSA Direct Selection honor is “humbling.” 

The incoming Mineral Wells High School freshman, and daughter of Chris and Misty Harkins, has been playing select/travel softball since she was 8 years old. She has played the last two years for MW Chaos, coached by David Tarver. The team last week took fifth place in the 2024 USSSA National Championships in Branson, Mo.

“Kynlee is a very talented young softball player,” Tarver stated. “She primarily plays third base, but has enough versatility to play just about anywhere on the field. She has a strong arm in the field and a ton of power at the plate.”

Being selected a USSSA All-American is a rare honor not just on a national level, but especially for a young player from Mineral Wells. Kynlee not only has her sights set on her upcoming high school career, but playing and excelling at the collegiate level and then, perhaps, representing the nation as an Olympian.

“As a young player that has hopes of playing beyond high school, the All-American Games is a route that Kynlee sought to build on her resumé,” Tarver continued. “As youth sports have continued to grow, opportunities like this have provided more opportunities for athletes to compete at various levels and environments. She will fit right in and represent MW Chaos well.”

Kynlee’s stats back up that statement. She slugged five home runs in the 2023 Triple Crown Colorado Sparkler Fastpitch Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo. In the spring of 2022, Kynlee was selected Most Valuable Player and played in the Texas All-State USSSA Tournament.

She has a career .411 batting average with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .501 and a slugging percentage (SLG) of .674 for a combined OPS percentage of 1.175. since 2019 she played in more than 250 games with some 500 plate appearances.

This spring Kynlee entered tryouts for the 2024 All-American Team. 

“I gave it my all, and left it all on the field!” she stated. She was rewarded with her direct selection to participate in the tournament playing with, and against, top players from across the nation.

Opportunities like this do not come cheap. Kynlee is hoping to raise $3,000 to help pay for her travel, lodging and other expenses. Donations can be made online via her GoFundMe Page.

She wrote she is proud to have the chance to represent “Texas, my hometown of Mineral Wells and my sisters/best friends and second family MW CHAOS.”

“I’ve learned thus far that it’s okay to fail and make mistakes. If you never fail, you’ll never grow and get better,” she states on her fundraising page. “I’ve played ball against, and with, so many great players from all over the nation. I can not wait to see what The ALL AMERICAN GAMES has to offer! My Teammates, Coaches, Chaos Family, have shared blood, sweat, and tears. We have seen each other fall and fight back up. Softball isn’t an easy game but it’s also the most rewarding experience I ever want to love.”