Shortly after completing her high school softball days, Bishop began playing on a women’s fastpitch team, the Condors, which is coached by Crescenta Valley High skipper Dan Berry.
Joined by former Glendale teammates Audrey Andrade and Heather Brusokas, among others, Bishop turned in a fine season for the Condors, playing third base and outfield.
“She did a great job for us in the summer,” Berry said. “I felt like she could play at [the Division I] level.”
According to Bishop, with the help of Berry and Glendale High assistant Amanda Menez, she was put in contact with the Golden Bears and Cal Coach Diane Ninemire.
Bishop tried out on Jan. 12 and on Thursday was told, “welcome to the family.”
Already attending Cal as part of an extension program, Bishop began classes as an official student on Tuesday, as the team gears up for the season’s start in just under three weeks.
“Everything happened really quickly, but it’s going well,” Bishop said.
Before she got the news that she was a member of the team, she had Golden Bears practice gear aplenty and was getting to know the team.
“I was very proud of her,” Berry said. “She worked hard during the break.
“I knew she could do it.”
After talking to Cal coaches and finding out that the team could have an opening at catcher next season, Berry began working Bishop out at the position, one she hadn’t played until Little League.
“Coach Berry helped me a lot,” Bishop said.
Now, she practices at both catcher and third base, but is realistic that, while she won’t likely red shirt, that she’s unlikely to see an abundance of playing time.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be a rostered player,” she said. “But I’m pretty sure I’ll spend this season on the bench.”
