Friends through every inning: The story of Milton’s Heidi Cay Selby, Allison Oneacre and friendship
MILTON, Ga. — For some kids, friendships come and go, but for Heidi Cay Selby (HC) and Allison Oneacre (AO), the friendship they discovered as two little girls on a softball field was built and meant to last. It started with a glove, a bat, and two kids learning the basics, but it developed into a friendship driven by teamwork and a shared passion for the game. Now seniors at Milton High School, HC and AO reflect on their years together, through wins, losses, practices, and laughter. Through it all, they have stayed side by side as teammates and sweet friends.
HC and AO’s connection began on the field of a sport they both grew to love, though for slightly different reasons. For HC, softball quickly became her refuge. “Since I was 10, softball has always been the most drama-free sport. The girls are laid-back, and the friendships I have made will last forever,” she says. AO, meanwhile, found excitement in the opportunities softball gave her, especially traveling across the country and building friendships beyond the Milton community. “I love the friendships I’ve built through travel ball. I’ve met people I wouldn’t have otherwise, and that’s something I’ll always cherish,” AO shared.
Over the years, the two leaned on each other. Together, they would share a quick laugh before a game or motivate teammates together during tough moments. As captains at Milton High, they embrace their leadership roles but try to also keep things light. “Before every game, we tell the team, ‘We have nothing to lose.’ It sounds funny, but it helps us stay calm and keeps the pressure from getting to us,” HC explains.
As they developed as players through the years, they had their share of struggles among changes and tough competition. HC dealt with being moved from her favorite position at shortstop to left field during her freshman year. It took time to adjust, but as she puts it, “I’ve grown to love it. It’s my spot now.” AO found juggling the demands of school, sports, and life to be the biggest challenge. “My schedule is packed, but I keep to-do lists and make sure to get enough sleep,” she shared.
Softball has come with its share of lessons with both explaining that in softball they have learned how to work well with others, how to work together for a common goal, how to overcome adversity, and learn how to win and lose together with each other and their teammates.
In moments of victory, HC and AO always found ways to celebrate each other. One of their favorite traditions is awarding the Wonder Woman cape to any teammate who hits a home run. “After you hit the homer, you put on the cape and ‘fly’ back to the dugout,” HC shared. “Pretty much Allison wears it every game, though!”
As graduation approaches, HC and AO are preparing to walk separate paths. HC plans to step back from competitive softball and focus on academics, though she is not quite ready to give up the game entirely. “I’ll play club softball in college,” HC says. “I love the people more than the sport itself, so a lighter commitment feels right for me.” Meanwhile, AO is gearing up for the next big chapter in a competitive way. AO will be playing softball at Penn State, where she also plans to study finance.
While the game of life holds new innings they will face separately in their future, AO is confident their friendship will remain strong. “We’ve been through so much together,” she reflects. “I know we’ll always stay close, no matter where life takes us.” HC feels the same way. “I admire Allison so much as a leader, a player, and a friend,” HC says. “I’ll miss her, but I’ll be there for her watching her games from afar and cheering her on every step of the way.” Both HC and AO have also expressed gratitude not just for each other but for all the friends, teammates, and talented coaches they have had through the years.
The two plan to remain constant in each other’s lives. For them, it has never been just about the game, it has been about the memories, the laughter, and the moments they’ve shared along the way. Softball may have been the sport that brought them together, but it is the connection they have shared that will keep them close no matter what pitch life throws out to them next. Their friendship and that of many long playing teammates is a win no scoreboard could ever measure.
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