Girl s Windmill Pitching

Transcription

1 Girl s Windmill Pitching Volume 324 April 20, 2011 Tough, Tougher, and Toughest What would you ink of a diminutive 12U kid under 5' who was sick wi a fever and no business coming out of e house, running down e driveway bawling and yelling to her mom because she didn t want to miss a pitching lesson? If e situation involved your child would she be like at or better yet, if you are a pitcher would you have e same determination? Is it hard to comprehend at a girl would be at zealous about softball? If you are a coach, do you want a team full of girls wi at much love for e game? Well, if you watched e University of Tennessee play e University of Georgia Friday night you would have seen at same nd little girl get spiked pretty badly at 2 base as e runner tried to take her out of e double play. I saw e pants ripped on e left leg and she walked it off and didn t want to come out of e game. Wiin a few minutes oers noticed e blood flowing down e front of her leg. As ey pulled her pant leg up and sock down e gaping wound was in free flow. Did she come out of e game? No! They dressed it to stop e bleeding and she played e rest of e game wi no visible effects on e level of her play. After e Lady Volunteers won e game she was taken to e hospital and it took 10 stitches to close her up. That was Lauren Gibson and she is at least as zealous for e game now as she was when she missed at pitching lesson wi me so many years ago. I talked wi her mom about it and I mentioned at it seems harder to find girls wi at kind of passion for playing e game. Lorrie responded it depends on how bad ey want it. Yes, it does and it just seems like less and less want it badly enough. Many want it for doing noing to get it and oers are satisfied at a lower level, wheer school, travel or college ball and really don t want to work hard enough to play at e highest level ey can attain. They don t want e hard work, e stress, or e chance ey may not make it at e higher level. Again, many years ago I recall a high school game in which e girl who was supposed to pitch a certain game didn t come to school. She was sick. Anoer varsity pitcher, an 8 grader, not exactly what you would consider a team leader, took e mound equally sick, running a temperature of 101 but knowing someone had to do it. As she stood on e mound taking signals you could see she was having balance problems, she swayed and weaved but she was ere. The umpire told e coach she had to get her out of ere but she wanted to be ere. She rd pitched into e 3 inning and had noing left. Finally a senior who had not as much as practiced pitching wi e team at spring went in and finished e game. There was no story book ending. Our team lost and lost badly but not because at 8 grader didn t give all she had because of a love of e game and of pitching. That Page 1

2 kid is my own daughter, Ashley and e senior who came in and finished e game gained a lot of respect as a team leader at day. They are just a couple of examples of many at have shown how much ey wanted it. Yet, ere are way too many who succumb to every twitch, every sore muscle, every stomach ache or hangnail. The slightest twinge stops em from playing, practicing, lessons or whatever. When I was e pitching coach for Riviera Beach Spirit 18U, we were playing in e Dynamite Showcase in Columbia, Sou Carolina. Our catcher, Head Coach EJ Martinez s daughter Dani, fouled a ball into her eye and broke e orbital bone. She obviously had to leave e game and ended up in e hospital and out of e tournament, but she was back to playing as soon as she could be (wi a face mask is time). She didn t want to miss a game. (Face masks were not mandatory at e time but you better believe e whole team had em after at.) I m certainly not advocating practicing, or coming to a lesson when a pitcher is ill. It is counter-productive. Probably noing would be accomplished. However, at least ey should have e desire to be ere. Lorrie would not allow LG to come to at lesson. She knew how sick e girl was but at didn t stop Lauren from wanting to be ere. Her passion for e game and for practice, and for e lesson overruled how she felt and nd obviously, noing has changed except she now plays 2 base and no longer pitches. That in itself is a shame. She was a inking, hard-working, hard-rowing pitcher who worked in e low 60's. She was a 2-time Metro Player of e Year as a pitcher/hitter but Jim Barsalona didn t bring her on Team New Jersey to pitch. She was ere to play e infield or outfield and swing e bat. That relationship wi him and at team, combined wi her wanting it badly and her parents determination to spare noing to get her to e right team and get her to e right tournaments got her where she is today. I had one D-I coach who did want her as a pitcher tell me he would not only give her a full ride but would wash her car every week to get her. He was being facetious, but was emphasizing how much he would like to have her. Cassie Greenhawk was anoer one who proved her toughness. In a PONY National tournament, circumstances made our Riviera Beach Spirit 14U team have only Cassie as a pitcher. That year in Sterling, VA it was extremely hot during e week of e national. Yet, Cassie pitched every single inning of every single game of e tournament wiout complaint. She didn t give in to e heat, e blowing dust at clung to us, e aching muscles or e fatigue. She exhibited e heart, e drive, e mind of a champion. We went deep into e tournament and were wiin a game of making e sweet 16 when we lost but Cassie showed me so much at week at I will never forget. Maybe e times are changing but maybe, just maybe ere are a few out ere at are tougher an most, and a very few who may be e toughest, may want it badly enough to run rough a wall to get it. Maybe I will be fortunate enough to continue working wi a few more girls of at ilk and wi at attitude before I close out my career. Page 2

3 Photos 10U Delaware Express pitcher Kaitlyn Stahre stretches it out to e plate Holly Grove Christian Middle School s Darby Fitzpatrick in a recent shutout victory Page 3

4 The Delaware Storm 10U Thunder, Winner of is weekend s Swing into Spring USSSA Tournament in Salisbury, MD Epwor Christian Middle School s Logan Downes shows her determination Emily Speierman of Maryland Stars 14U ready for 8 grade dance. Page 4

5 Tips I rely not only on my observations but also on feedback from students and parents and what e parent may see when watching or catching e student. One such observation occured is week when I was working wi Taylor (Smurf) Pechin. Her faer, George had noticed when she was in her set position she jutted her right hip out to e right and turned her foot almost completely sideways when beginning her premotion, us preventing her stride knee from bending to lift e stride leg and foot. Her leg ended up twisted sideways as she came to e first quarter of e circle. This gave her someing to work toward correcting. When I analyzed her wi right view pro it was obvious and showed a lack of use of e bottom half of her body. She basically was rowing wi e upper body. Be observant as possible when your daughter practices. Her success on e mound is built upon a partnership between e parent, e instructor, e coach and her. Any observations should be passed on to e instructor and a determination can be made of wheer or not it is detrimental to e pitcher. Girl s Windmill Pitching Website My website, ough still undergoing enhancements, is now active. You can find my newsletters, some links, photos, and some of my students video clips. I will soon be adding video tips on pitching and hopefully oer information. Be sure and bookmark Girl s Windmill Pitching Recruiter MOM This link will answer some valuable questions for e parents and student/aletes hoping to become prospects. I highly advise you to visit e site at has been set up and researched by Jan Greenhawk by clicking on e title above or by pasting in your browser. Check is link. I ve gotten good feedback. Andy Givens Hitting Instruction Andy Givens is e former Delaware Technical and Community College Assistant Baseball Coach, and former Head Softball Coach. He is currently e Head Softball Coach of e Delaware Diamonds 18U team and gives private hitting instruction at his place between Georgetown and Laurel, DE. If you are looking for a superb, patient instructor to help give you an edge, contact Andy at (302) or him at:ragivens@verizon.net My daughter, Ashley is a Mary Kaye Director in Qualification. If anyone is interested in becoming a representative to earn extra income or if you wish to purchase products or host a party contact Ashley rough her website at: click on e logo above or call her at (302) Page 5

6 Holli Adkins (cymphotography)'s Home Welcome to e world of photography by Danny & Holli Adkins. We originally started taking photos for friends and family, who could not afford e high dollar photographers. Capture Your Moment Photography was en born. Our experience includes: Weddings, Family & Individual Portraits, Team Photos and Animals. Our goal is to deliver services at are affordable, enjoyable and professional to your specific needs. Our website can meet your every need. We have a variety of print sizes and speciality prints are available upon request. "Picture" gifts are e perfect presents! Check out ose gifts which includes: shirts, sweatshirts, puzzles, mousepads, clocks and coffee mugs.questions? Please us at cymphotography@yahoo.com. Girl s Windmill Pitching Lessons and Clinics Girl s Windmill Pitching conducts private lessons and clinics year around. Our private lessons are conducted Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays near Georgetown, Delaware. On Fridays we have private sessions at e Lower Shore Family YMCA in Pocomoke City, MD. We also conduct late fall and winter pitching clinics which are group sessions. We have finished our winter clinics. If you would like to schedule a clinic or register for private lessons, please contact us at: billdryden1@girlswindmillpitching.com or billdryden1@comcast.net News and Tournament Results Stephanie Speierman won her 17 game Tuesday when University of Michigan defeated Western Michigan. The victory brought e sophomore s record to 17 and 0 for e number 2 ranked Wolverines. This weekend ey were rained out in Illinois and made it up wi a double header Sunday. In game one Jordan Taylor pitched e complete game 8-6 win over e Lady Illini. The team also won e back end of e double hitter. Annah Brittingham (Morris County Belles Gold) picked up a win over Washington High when she took e mound wi 2 outs in e 4 inning. She allowed 0 runs on 2 hits wi 6 K s and 1 walk. At e plate she was 3 for 4 wi a double, 2 singles, 2 walks, and reached on an error in e 15-4 win for Pocomoke High. In a 1-0 loss to Parkside she was 1 for 3. In a 5-4 loss for Stephen Decatur High against Snow Hill Jesci Iacona (Delaware Storm 18U) had two hits in 3 at bats including anoer home run. Later e team defeated Parkside 2-1 in 8 innings. Iacona was 1 for 4 wi a triple. Amanda Parsons was 1 for 3 wi a double. Decatur took on James M Bennett on Monday, April 18 and Iacona was 5 for 5 wi a grand slam. She also pitched 3 strong inning in relief in e 14-4 win. In a 6-1 victory over Pocomoke Jesci Iacona pitched 3 innings of relief, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits wi 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. Amanda Parsons (Maryland Magic Orange 16U) was 2 for 2 wi a walk, 2 stolen bases, and scored 2 runs. Annah Brittingham took e loss for Pocomoke, striking out 11 batters. Annah and Beverly Weaver had hits for Pocomoke. Page 6

7 Sam Muir (Delaware Diamonds 18U Black) lost an 8-inning game to Parkside, despite striking out 14 batters. nd This is e 2 game in a row in which she has struck out 14 and lost. In a subsequent game she picked up a 2-1 win over James M Bennett by a 2-1 score. The Wicomico High junior struck out 9. Tori Brown (Maryland Stars 18U) led Linganore over Middletown wi a 12-2 win. Brown had 2 hits and allowed 3 while striking out 13. Franklin High s senior ace, Mary Sobota Mary Sobota (Maryland Stars 18U) and her sister Tori Sobota have amassed a great record so far is season wi Franklin High. They are 6 and 0 and Mary gets most of e mound duties. The sisters are batting over.500 so far. Mary has all 6 wins and has allowed 9 hits in 26 innings while striking out 40. Tori, e sophomore has fanned 16 and allowed 1 hit so far. Shelby Smi of Snow Hill is splitting time is summer to get more innings and experience. In additional to e Coastal Chaos 14U where she will play USSSA B and open tournaments and NSA B tournaments, Shelby as joined Maryland Magic Orange 12U where she will compete in PONY and ASA tournaments. In her first appearance wi e team is past weekend, she took e mound in relief wi pouring rain, wind, and bases loaded against a potent Vienna Stars 12U team. Trying to keep e ball dry she errantly put it in her glove twice while on e pitching rubber but at was e only run at scored and was not charged to her. In two innings of relief she struck out 4, walked one. The rain-shortened game was deemed complete in 4 innings and Magic got eir first win of e 2011 season and Shelby, in relief picked up her first win in A level ball. Cristen Quillen and e 10U Delaware Storm Thunder defeated e Maryland Chill 10U at Henry Parker Complex in Salisbury, MD Saturday. Cristen struck out 10, walked 5 and allowed 3 hits in e 7-4 victory. Lexi Black also picked up a win and e team was undefeated and won eir tournament. Logan Downes pitched a no-hitter for Epwor Christian Middle School against Lighouse Christian School. Later in e week e undefeated Epwor ran into a buzz saw in Holly Grove Christian School s Darby Fitzpatrich. A mix of drop-curves, inside fastballs and change-ups proved to be Epwor s undoing as ey succumbed to e Holly Grove team. Ashley Banks pitched well in a loss to Delaware s number one ranked team, Caravel Academy last week. In e 8-3 loss, 4 of e runs were unearned. Emily Haugh (Coastal Chaos 14U) pitched a win for Chincoteague Middle over Nandua Middle. She had 16 K s. On Monday April 18 she pitched 18-1, 5-inning no hitter. Emily faced only 16 batters in e game Page 7

8 After going 0 for 2 Friday night for Tennessee in a win over LSU, Lauren Gibson decided it was time for a little more publicity Saturday. Still sporting 10 stitches from e cleating she took against UGA, her first at bat against e LSU Tigers Saturday put e Lady Volunteers up by a 1-0 score. She kept her hands back on a change-up nd offered by Rachel Fico and drove in over e centerfield fence for a solo homer. In her 2 at bat e bases were loaded. This time she put a rise ball over e opposite field fence for a grand. After getting called out looking at a screw ball away in her ird at bat she was not to be denied again and sent a pitch into e gap for a double at scored two more runs giving her 7 RBI s for e day and Tennessee took 2 straight from LSU wi Sunday s rubber game pending. On Sunday Tennessee completed e sweep of LSU wi a 7-2 win. Lauren was 1 for 2, scored 2 runs, walked and was hit by a pitch. She got her stitches out Monday and Tuesday was ready wi e team to take on Radford University. In at 9-1 victory Gibson was 2 for 3 wi a triple, 2 runs scored and an RBI. At is writing she is rd leading e team in batting wi a.445 average, which is 3 highest in e Soueast Conference. Hannah Scarborough, a Snow Hill High sophomore, picked up her first varsity win Tuesday wi a complete game, 5-inning 11-1 victory over Crisfield High. Kristi Marsh and Lydia Parsons, bo Mid-Atlantic Lady Shocker 18U pitchers, split a win for Holly Grove Christian School over Sts Peter and Paul Tuesday. They combined for a 2-hitter. Brad Speierman took his Maryland Stars 16U team to e scrimmages at Fairland Sunday. Youngest daughter, Emily played up wi em. She had a single in a 5-3 loss to Maryland Magic Orange 16U an a triple against e Banshees plus a hit against e Mustangs. She also pitched a perfect inning against e Mustangs, striking out 2 of e 3 hitters. Brad noted he was happy wi his team s overall performance. He was missing some kids on spring break but e team played well. He mentioned he has a great group of girls and e parents are equally great. (ed note: at makes e season a lot more enjoyable.) Melony Showell (Mid-Atlantic Lady Shockers 14U) picked up anoer win for Sussex Academy of Arts and Science Middle School Tuesday wi a 13-3 victory. Alleigh Townsend (Delaware Magic 12U Sou) did double duty Tuesday. For Delmar Middle School Alley Cat pitched e complete game victory defeating Pfeiffer by run rule. She left at game, went to her Little League game and pitched an 11-2, 5-inning complete game win. Following at, e family went to Outback for a victory dinner which Alleigh slept rough (I added at). She may have stayed awake. Page 8