RHONDA WALKER (KESSLAR)
Rhonda was, arguably, one of the finest pitchers to come out of Alberta, dominating at the Provincial and National level. She was the premier pitcher in Alberta for over a decade. Starting as an 8 year old in Edmonton and finishing her career with the Calahoo Erins Senior A team, Rhonda helped her teams win 13 provincial gold medals. At the Canadian Championship level her teams won 2 gold (Junior 2001, Senior 2018), 3 silver (Junior 2000, Senior 2006 & 2007) and 2 bronze medals (Senior 2005 & 2008). Rhonda attended Gulf Coast College from 1996-1998 and then Stetson University (NCAA Div 1) from 1998-2000. While at college she led her team to a bronze medal at the NJCAA National Championships in 1998.
Rhonda also won numerous individual awards and accolades at the National and Collegiate level, including 3 Top Pitcher awards at Canadian Championships (2000, 2001, 2004). She is also a two-time recipient of Softball Alberta’s Female Player of the Year (2000 & 2001).
On top of her accomplishments, Rhonda has always given back to the sport. She started helping young pitchers even while in high school and continues to instruct and work with pitchers to this day. She also started coaching full time in 2015 and is presently the Assistant Coach of Team Alberta Women’s Softball heading to the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
Rhonda’s talent and ability, her individual and team accomplishments, all combined with the impact she has had on our sport in Alberta, make her a worthy candidate for induction into Softball Alberta’s Hall of Fame.
Additional Awards & Accomplishments:
- 1998 – All Tournament State Team & Regional Tournament MVP
- 1999 – perfect game vs Youngstown State, perfect game for 9+ innings vs FAU
- 15 strikeouts vs Stanford University
- 2000 – ASUN All Tournament Team
- 5 time Pitcher of the Week
- 211 strikeouts in 216 innings, 1.13 ERA, 7 shutouts (5 consecutive), kept opponents batting average to .174
- 2007 – MVP at Senior Women’s Canadian Championships
Inducted as an Athlete in 2024
