Fueled by Passion: Hope Trautwein

For Kansas City Diamonds pitcher Hope Trautwein, softball has never been just something she plays. It is part of who she is.

“Honestly, I love it,” Trautwein said. “When people ask me why I’ve played for so long and why I coach, I'm literally obsessed with pitching.”

That passion has carried Trautwein from a Little League field in Texas to the top stage in college softball and now into professional softball with the Diamonds. Along the way, she has built a career defined by resilience, competitiveness and an unwavering love for the game.

Growing up near Austin, Texas, Trautwein first picked up softball at 10 years old after watching her siblings play baseball in the backyard. It did not take long for her to fall in love with pitching after attending a local high school softball game.

“I remember seeing the pitchers warm up and thinking how cool it was,” Trautwein said. “I told my dad I wanted to do that.”

From there, the journey accelerated quickly. Trautwein committed to a junior college at just 14 years old during an era when recruiting happened earlier than ever.

Trautwein got the opportunity to play at University of North Texas, where she spent four years developing into one of the nation’s top pitchers before transferring to the University of Oklahoma for her final collegiate season.

At Oklahoma, Trautwein helped the Sooners win a national championship before staying on as a graduate assistant under pitching coach Jennifer Rocha, who greatly impacted her.

“She changed my career,” Trautwein said.

Her softball journey didn’t stop there. After believing her playing career was over, professional softball came calling. She joined the USSSA Pride during the Women’s Professional Fastpitch era before later competing in Athletes Unlimited Softball League play with the Blaze.

Now, Trautwein brings that experience to Kansas City.

“I’m excited for the growth of the league and the growth of the sport,” Trautwein said. “Hopefully it keeps getting bigger so more little girls can see what’s possible.”

The opportunity to play in Kansas City also carries personal meaning. Two of Trautwein’s brothers live in Kansas, including one in Olathe, making the Diamonds feel even more like home.

Trautwein heard about the organization through fellow player Allie Skaggs and quickly connected with Diamonds leadership, jumping on a call with Jermey McDowell, the President of the Diamonds.

“When I talked with Jeremy, he wanted to get to know me as a person over a player,” Trautwein said. “The process has been really, really great so far.”

Even with championships and record-breaking performances on her résumé, Trautwein says the game still makes her feel like a kid again.

“When I go out there and play, I feel like I’m 10 years old again,” Trautwein said. “There’s nothing like competing.”

Her career includes countless standout moments, including a perfect game at Oklahoma that made NCAA history. Still, Trautwein points to another performance as the best game she ever threw: a dominant outing against UCLA during the Women’s College World Series.

But for Trautwein, the biggest lessons have come from adversity rather than the wins.

“I feel like you learn more from losses than wins,” Trautwein said. “I dealt with a lot of self-doubt late in my career, and I had to learn to take the lesson and not the feeling.”

That mentality has helped shape not only the pitcher she became, but also the teammate and mentor she strives to be. Trautwein hopes younger players see more than success when they watch her compete.

“I want them to see passion,” she said. “I didn’t start out at a big school. I was just a girl from the middle of nowhere, and I’ve been able to live my dream for a long time.”

Her approach to competition is rooted in positivity and lifting up those around her.

“There’s a lot of stigma behind being a competitor,” she said. “But you can still compete and be a great teammate and uplift other women.”

Off the field, Trautwein enjoys spending time with family, reading, movie nights and competitive game nights with loved ones. She also loves spending time with her husband, Dom, who catches her bullpen sessions and supports her through every step of her career.

“He works out with me when I don’t want to,” Trautwein said with a laugh.

Trautwein also balances softball with coaching responsibilities, helping mentor the next generation of players while continuing her own professional career.

And despite all she has accomplished, her mentality remains simple.

“It doesn’t matter if you think you’re good enough,” she said. “It only matters if you want it.”

For the Kansas City Diamonds, Trautwein brings far more than an accomplished arm to the circle. She brings leadership, passion and proof that perseverance can take players further than they ever imagined.