Harley Rader has the world at her fingertips. Though she is only 11 years of age with a full life ahead of her, Rader lives every day to the fullest with a smile on her face. This adorable girl has won the hearts of many through her passion of sports and kindness to teammates, coaches, family and friends.
Born and raised in Malibu, Rader plays baseball, softball, soccer (AYSO and club), tennis and snowboarding, and excels in all of them. In the past year alone, she was a part of three championship teams: baseball (Dodgers, Middle Division), softball (Sharks) and her AYSO team, which won its regional and advanced to the state tournament at Bakersfield.
Rader was the only girl to play baseball in the entire Malibu Little League this season. She was the starting shortstop and pitcher for the Middle Dodgers, which went 10-4. Her coach, Steve Ciniglio, was impressed with how Rader fit in with all the boys, but it was her character that impacted him the most.
“She is an incredible little kid. She was like a little captain on the field,” Ciniglio said. “The boys loved her. She would do anything you ask. She is an amazing kid and she fit right in. She’s a dream.
“My goal is to see if I can get her to be the first female hardball player in high school. She wants to do it.”
Rader would love to play baseball with the boys for the next few years and into high school. With her desire, pride and determination, don’t be surprised if that dream becomes a reality.
She won the “Ross Feikel” award this season for the Dodgers. This honor was voted upon by her teammates for a player who demonstrates spirit, inspiration and a positive attitude that never gives up.
“It meant a lot to me and I appreciate it,” Rader said. “I love my teammates and my coach. It was an exciting season and a lot of fun. We worked hard and were very supportive of each other. We won and lost as a team. It was a really great year.
“I feel confident about myself. I feel comfortable with the boys and I don’t have to worry about anything.”
She is also an avid snowboarder who currently ranks 36th in the country for her age group by the U.S.A. Snowboard Association. Her mother, Andrea, and father, J.R., take her to Mammoth Mountain nine or 10 weekends a winter to train while having a good time.
“I love snowboarding,” said Rader, who races freestyle. “I enjoy the double black diamonds the most. I race the giant slalom and boardercross. It’s definitely my favorite sport.”
Rader’s dream is to become an Olympian boardercross snowboarder for the United States. Don’t count her out on that either.
But it is her love, caring and kindness to others that radiates from her heart. When Ciniglio suffered a heart attack last November, it was Rader who first stepped up to be by her coach’s side.
“When I had my heart attack, she came to my house to visit me,” Ciniglio said. “She brought a baseball bat signed by just about every kid that she thought knew me in little league. She is truly special.”
She nominated Ciniglio for The Malibu Times “Dolphin Award” that recognizes a person for outstanding citizenship to the community.
“He supports everybody in baseball even if they are not on his team,” Rader said. “He watches all the games. He is amazing and there is nobody like him.”
Rader is an excellent student in the classroom as well. Astronomy is her favorite subject and the sky is the limit for this special young lady.
“I am very proud of her,” Harley’s mother, Andrea, said. “She is well-rounded and she has a very good attitude.”
By Dick Dornan