Jennie Finch Empowerment Award goes to catcher Sofia Santana

Upon the completion of the softball Elite Development Invitational, Sofia Santana received the prestigious Jennie Finch Empowerment Award, presented by Arm & Hammer.

Santana, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, attends and plays softball at the Robinson School in San Juan, P.R., where she is also involved in multiple academic clubs and community activities.

The award was presented to Santana by softball legend and former Olympic gold medalist Natasha Watley at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla. It includes a $10,000 college scholarship check, and a trip to the 2024 World Series.

“My parents aren't rich. I’m not rich,” Santana said. "We’re always like, 'If we can save a little, we’ll save it.' And I really need money to go to college, because I know it’s not easy sending me to college

In partnership with Arm & Hammer since 2019, the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award is presented yearly to four young female athletes as a way to recognize their exceptional achievements.

Leadership, motivation, commitment, dedication, humility and integrity are the six guiding principles of the award. Winners are recognized as exemplary scholars, humanitarians and athletes.

Manuel Santana, Sofia’s father, was in attendance for this year's EDI and was overcome with emotion when his daughter was named the award recipient.

“[I’m] very proud, trying not to cry, because she always works hard for what she wants,” he said. “She’s an excellent student from [when] she was a child. She wants to play softball, she wants to study [at a] university. She works hard, and thanks to God we are near her to support her.”

The scholarship will go a long way in helping Sofia Santana realize her aspirations beyond the softball field.

“I want to be a chemical engineer or mechanical engineer,” she said. “I still haven't decided. They’re really fun. I wish I could do both. Maybe I will. Who knows?”

Santana credits her educational upbringing for helping to develop a sense of community in her and providing her with an admiration for serving others.

“My service in the community started with my school,” she said. “They like helping their community, and so do I, because I got it from them.”

Santana’s deep passion for community service is one of the reasons she stood out from other award candidates, as this passion leaked onto the field.

“I love my community. ... I just like helping people,” said Santana.

The Jennie Finch Empowerment Award is presented at all MLB Develops softball events throughout the year: the Breakthrough Series, Jennie Finch Classic during All-Star Week, the Elite Development Invitational and the RBI World Series.

Throughout the weekend of the EDI, Santana was a leader to those around her, exemplifying the pillars of the award, and leading to the invitational organizers choosing her as its recipient.

“She likes to help others, making sure that everybody is OK ... and making sure that the environment is good for everybody,” said her softball EDI teammate and fellow Puerto Rico native Ana Oquendo. “Having her next to me makes me want to be a better person and be a better player in the field.”

Like other MLB development events, the invitational featured coaches from the highest levels of the game, and they also recognized this attitude from Santana and the positive effects that came from it.

“She comes with a passion every day to want to learn and get better,” said Karavin Dew, head softball coach at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. “She's always smiling, always helping and talking with others, and doing her best to make the experience and the community better.”

Santana, whose favorite Major League player is Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, feels that leadership is about more than just commanding others, but rather about how you can connect with those around you to push them forward, on and off the field.

“Communication leads to understanding,” she said. “That's why I'm a catcher, I communicate with my fielders, I know how they feel, how I can boost their energy up, all that.

“I want to be able to inspire people. I really want to help people, because it's not easy, life is not easy. I want to make it out there and bring others with me.”