Madison Lewis was eight years old when she began playing softball, eventually becoming the first player to traverse Decatur’s entire softball program from rec league through middle school and finally through Decatur High where she was a four-year varsity starter before graduating in 2010.

For the several girls who’ve already followed in her footsteps, and the many more still to come, she was a pioneer. Since her death in a December 2011 traffic accident she has become unquestionably the face of Decatur High softball, with a monument behind the visitors bullpen at Oakhurst Park, a left-field banner, an annual day in her honor and a scholarship and fund in her name.

Madison was fiery competitor, a temperament perfectly complimenting her flaming red hair, and she was a great teammate who will always be missed.