When we think of a hall of fame, typically it’s reserved for athletes who were the cream of the crop in their respective sports who are being honored for their greatness years after their playing careers have finished. 

It’s not too often that a hall of fame inducts a player who technically is still active. Such is the case however with Kelsey Carr. 

Carr, a 2020 graduate of Archbishop Molloy H.S., Briarwood, was inducted into the New York State Softball Hall of Fame in June. She’s just 21 years old and set to play her final college softball season at Seton Hall University next spring. 

A native of Ridgewood, Carr grew up in Mount Sinai, L.I., before returning to Queens for her high school years. Her father, Tom Carr, played baseball at Molloy before it was a co-ed school, so the family was very familiar with the quality of athletics and academics the Stanners’ stronghold would provide. 

In addition to softball, Carr played basketball up until high school and played three years of volleyball at Molloy. Softball though was her top sport, and she played three seasons on the varsity squad. It would have been four, but her senior season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During her three years, she excelled as a pitcher, while also playing some third base and outfield. Her hitting prowess also made her an all-around threat on the diamond. Molloy won a handful of CHSAA diocesan and city championships in her time and even reached the finals of the state tournament. 

Her junior year in particular was off the charts. As a team captain, she batted .466 with six home runs and 18 RBIs to go along with a whopping 351 strikeouts as a pitcher. She was named team MVP, selected to the CHSAA Tier 1 All-League team, and racked up her third straight nod as a Tablet All-Star. 

“Molloy was a great place for growth,” Carr said. “Travel ball was very competitive and serious, and that’s how we got recruited. I felt like Molloy fostered an environment to learn and not be afraid to fail.” 

Carr then received an athletic scholarship to continue her playing career at Seton Hall. Her first season in 2021 was shortened due to the pandemic, and then she red-shirted her sophomore season due to shoulder surgery. That means she still has one more year of NCAA eligibility. 

After earning her degree this spring in psychology with a minor in business administration, she is set to enter graduate school at Seton Hall to pursue a master’s degree in accounting – also while pitching for the Pirates. 

In the fall of last year, Carr received a surprise phone call from Perry Novak, director of the New York State Softball Hall of Fame, alerting her that she had been selected by the voting committee for induction this year. 

“It was surreal!” she said. “That was not something that was on my mind at all.” 

On June 15, Carr was part of a 14-member hall of fame class during a ceremony at the Mudville Athletic Complex in Herkimer, N.Y. She was joined by her family members and her presenter, former Molloy softball coach Maureen Rosenbaum, who retired after the 2023 season. 

“Kelsey was the most humble and talented softball player I have had the pleasure to coach,” said Rosenbaum, affectionately known as “Rosie” to her players. “In addition, she always led her teams by being a superior role model.” 

In her acceptance speech, Carr thanked her family and her coaches for all the support throughout her playing career. She especially noted how Molloy was an important factor in her success thanks to the solid foundation in academics, athletics, and developing a strong work ethic. 

“Rosie was a big influence on my confidence,” Carr said. “I’m really hard on myself sometimes, and she was there to support me and let me know that I could do it.” 

Still so young, Carr can enjoy this honor for years to come. Considering she only played three seasons of high school softball, earning this induction is that much more impressive. 

“Even though it wasn’t that long ago, it’s cool to look back and see what we were able to accomplish in just three years and not four,” she said. 

Carr is not too sure how softball will factor into her life once her playing days wrap up. Right now, she’s solely focused on her final season and getting her advanced degree. 

Certainly though, any accounting firm would be absolutely delighted to have a state hall of famer dominating on the company softball team.