PASS THE BAT: Thunder's Ava Caridi Chooses the Challenge at IMG Academy

PASS THE BAT is a special section of the Thunder Blog that highlights exceptional Thunder player stories that impact the next generation of Thunder success. Passing the bat matters more than the hit itself. It’s about the hard work, dedication, and resilience it takes to be able to get on base for your team, and then passing that momentum, opportunity, and lessons to the next teammate.

If you can see her, you can be her.

Every athlete has a story, and behind every new chapter are the people, experiences, and lessons that helped make it possible. For Ava Caridi, the next chapter of her softball journey is taking her to IMG Academy, where she is attending high school, and ready to continue developing as a catcher, challenge herself against talented competition, and grow both on and off the field.

Ava’s journey is about more than softball. It is about family, resilience, hard work, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who push you to become better. As she prepared to take this exciting next step, she is bringing with her the lessons she has learned from her family, friends, coaches, and teammates.

In the spirit of Pass the Bat, Ava’s story reminds us that success is not simply about individual accomplishments. It is also about learning from those who came before us, embracing opportunities, and carrying those lessons forward to inspire the next generation. Check out our interview transcript between Ava Caridi and Jess Jacobson.

1. What factors were most important to you when deciding that IMG Academy was the right fit for your next step as both a student and an athlete?

The biggest factors for me were the coaching, the level of competition, and the opportunity to be around athletes who are committed to getting better every day. One thing that really stood out was getting to know Coach Joey Lye. During an IMG camp, she complimented the energy and attitude I brought every day and talked about how those qualities help build successful teams and winning programs. Between the coaching, training, academics, and overall environment, IMG felt like the best place to continue developing as a catcher and prepare for the future.

2. How do you hope your experience at IMG Academy will help you grow, not only as a softball player but also as a person?

As a softball player, I hope to improve every part of my game and learn from great coaches and teammates. As a person, I’m excited to have my whole family together again after spending the last four years apart from my brother while he attended IMG. I’ve become more independent during that time, but I also miss having us all together. I look forward to growing as a student, athlete, leader, and teammate while taking on new challenges.

3. Who are some of the people who have helped you reach this point, and what lessons from them will you carry with you into high school?

My family and friends have had the biggest impact on my journey. They have always supported me and taught me the importance of hard work, resilience, and staying positive. My coaches, teammates, and everyone at Thunder have also helped me grow by pushing me to improve every day and showing me the value of preparation, effort, and being a great teammate. Those are lessons I plan to carry with me into high school and beyond.

4. What are you most excited to focus on as you begin this new chapter at IMG Academy?

I’m most excited to continue developing as a catcher and competing against talented players every day. I’m looking forward to learning from coaches and staff who have experienced success at the highest levels of the sport and learning more about the recruiting process. Most of all, I’m excited to be part of a community that shares the same goals and passion for sports. After being invited to shadow one of their own players for a day I know what it’s really like to be a student athlete there, I left campus knowing IMG was a place where I wanted to be.

5. As a younger athlete who is taking a big step into high school athletics, what advice would you give to younger players who dream of pursuing opportunities like this one someday?

Work hard, enjoy the process, and never stop learning and having fun. There will be challenges and bad moments along the way, but those times help you grow. Don’t let a bad practice, a bad weekend, or a stat define who you are as a player. Your value isn’t measured by numbers, and nobody can tell you how hard you’re willing to work for your goals. You never truly fail until you actually quit, so stay positive, believe in yourself, and keep pushing forward.

Passing the Bat Forward

As Ava Caridi begins her next chapter at IMG Academy, she is carrying more than her goals as a softball player. She is bringing the support of her family and coaches and a determination to continue growing as a person.

Every athlete starts somewhere. Along the way, coaches offer guidance, teammates provide encouragement, and family members remind us why the journey matters. Those experiences become part of who we are, both on and off the field.

For Ava, the next step is an opportunity to put everything she has learned into action while continuing to discover her potential. She is ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

And for the younger athletes watching her journey, her advice is simple: believe in yourself, keep working, enjoy the process, and never give up on your goals.

The game is about more than the next pitch or the next win. It is about the people who help us along the way and the opportunities we create for those who come next. Ava, we are so proud of you!

Want to join Thunder? Email info@njthunder.com to get started.