Heather Arnett has been practicing her signature since she was about eight years old.
"My aunt actually taught me cursive in church when I was in second grade," Arnett says, "I remember practicing my signature all the time after that. I started doodling it in notebooks...and it's probably all over a bunch of papers and journals around my house."
Nearly 15 years later, the former Pitt State All-American is about to use that signature on her first professional softball contract.
Arnett agreed to terms Friday to join the Florida Vibe of the Professional Softball League - and will sign her contract when she arrives in Florida early next week.
"I got a text from the team's General Manager, Ryan Moore, on Thursday night, but I was already asleep," Arnett says, "I woke up on Friday morning at about 5 a.m. and saw the message, and I couldn't be more excited."
"It definitely took me a day to realize that this is real life," she adds, "It's amazing. There are very few words to describe it. I'm grateful for the opportunity and excited to take this game I love to another level."
Arnett got her first taste of professional softball last week, when she got called up from the PSL Developmental League to join the Vibe for a four-game series in Kansas City against the KC Diamonds.
"I'm really thankful for the developmental league and what they do for us who want to continue to play softball," Arnett says, "Marc Asquith is the league manager and he is the reason we all have these contacts and opportunities. He's the reason I was connected with the Vibe to begin with."
Arnett joined the team, and in
Heather Arnett fashion - bunted for a base hit in her first professional at-bat.
"I didn't try to make it bigger than it was," Arnett said of her first pro at-bat, "I talked to my dad before the game and he told me, 'You belong here and you deserve to be in this position. Do what you do', so that's what I did. I did the most 'me' thing I could do.
"Playing in those four games was a great experience for me. My coaches and teammates were so welcoming. I felt comfortable and I felt like I was supposed to be there. When I got my first at-bat and got a hit, my teammates were freaking out and cheering me on. It was such a cool experience to be a part of the group, and I'm excited to finish out the season with them."
Arnett finished her Pitt State Softball career in May as one of the most decorated players in NCAA Division II history.
She was a six-time All-American on the field and a three-time Academic All-America selection. Arnett finished her career with the longest hitting streak in NCAA history (48), while being tied for fourth in career hits (374), seventh in career runs scored (254) and tied for 15th in career stolen bases (155) in Division II history.
Arnett holds MIAA conference records for longest hitting streak, career hits, career batting average (.467), career stolen bases, runs scored in a single season (81, 2026) and hits in a single season (114, 2026). She also holds seven Pitt State career records, four season records and is either first or tied for the single-game record for stolen bases, hits and runs scored.
"I definitely feel like playing at Pittsburg State has helped push me to get to this point," she says, "The MIAA is tough, and a lot of people don't realize that. People overlook it because it's Division II. A lot of these MIAA teams could play with Division I schools."
She has proven everything she can at every level she has played, and will now try to do the same as a professional.
"Softball is my one true love, and I would love to keep playing as long as I can and as long as my body will allow," Arnett finishes, "I'm excited to get to Florida and show them what I can do as a player. I'm excited to get to practice and let them know who I am."
Arnett will fly to Florida Monday morning to join the Florida Vibe, which is based out of Bradenton, Florida.
