Always A Laughing Matter
In the circle or out, Brewer is hard to read
It’s said one cannot judge a book by its cover. In the case of Mallory Brewer, it could be difficult to reach a conclusion even after reading the book.
A two-sport athlete at Smackover, Brewer was a hard-throwing, left-handed power pitcher who showed poise under pressure. Standing at an imposing 5-feet-11, she could be an intimidating presence in the circle.
Off the field, she’s the goofy girl who laughs a lot and wants everyone else to laugh, too.
“Some people don’t like to be laughed at but me, I’m like, ‘yeah, I’ll do whatever.’ I look dumb anyway so I might as well,” Brewer said.
She really does laugh a lot. So much that it can be difficult to not crack a smile or giggle along with her. Her sense of humor is natural, spontaneous and self deprecating. Almost as if it’s some sort
of defense mechanism.
“I’m not very outgoing,” she said. “I don’t like talking to people. I like making everybody happy and laughing. I like being funny so other people smile.”
Sporting a 4.021 grade point average, Brewer clearly has a serious side. She went to school at Norphlet before merging into Smackover after her sophomore year. She said the school change didn’t impact her grades.
“It wasn’t really hard because most of my teachers were the same, except for a few. And, I always care about my school work. I don’t ever slack off. I want to have all A’s, first,” she said, crediting her mother for her studious nature.
“She always made me study hard in elementary and in high school. She always wanted me to have all A’s and do the best I could. I still try to do that. She’s always, ‘you need to go out and practice, Mallory.’ And, I don’t want to but I still do it anyway.”
After a pause, she chuckled and added, “I love my dad, too. He catches for me sometimes.”
Talking with Brewer could be a bit like standing in the batter’s box against her. When answering questions, sometimes she gives you a fastball. Other times, it’s a changeup. Then again, sometimes her eyes will twinkle and you’re pretty sure she just snuck a curve by you.
Her favorite subject?
“I like English but I don’t like reading. But, I like English.” How fast does she pitch? “I haven’t been clocked so don’t quote me on it but probably 60.”
Don’t quote you? In an interview?
She laughed.
Is she a tomboy or a girly girl?
“Neither. I’m just here. I’m not very preppy and I’m not boyish.” She playfully brushed her hand across her face. “I don’t wear makeup. Mascara is as far as it gets. Natural beauty.”
Brewer turned more serious when the questions became college-related. She said she plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas. Still undecided on a course of study, she said, perhaps, biology.
“I’ve thought about being a radiologist.”
Why?
“It’s quiet, don’t have to talk to a lot of people … it’s dark.”
Again, she laughed, signaling she may or may not be serious. Why so deceptive?
“I’m trying to not answer as many questions as I can,” she admitted. “I get anxiety so I don’t like talking to new people. That’s why I’m goofy most of the time. It helps me get through it.” Suddenly, she opened up. “I’m a very emotional person. I’m a crier,” she said. “When’s the last time I cried? This morning. Sometimes I just cry and it makes me feel better.”
Interestingly enough, her emotional side showed more on the basketball court. Brewer didn’t want to talk about the basketball game at Junction City where she was ejected after a confrontation with a Lady Dragon. Meanwhile, in the softball circle, her myriad of emotions turn into fuel.
In the regional tournament championship, the strike zone had become uncomfortably tight for the Lady Bucks against a potent Horatio batting order. After walking two batters on pitches she thought were strikes on the corner, Brewer walked to the back of the circle, gathered her emotions in her left hand and then struck out the side to end the game.
“When he’s not giving me the calls, I can’t do nothing about that,” she said. “I got angry but I laughed it off. I get angry at first whenever I’m like, ‘Oh, that was a strike.’ But then I’m like, ‘It’s over, on to the next one.’ I have to get over it somehow and I like laughing so … if you smile and have a good time, it goes away.”