Girl s Windmill Pitching. I Didn t Know What I Was Looking For But I Knew It When I Found It

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1 Girl s Windmill Pitching Volume 327 May 11, 2011 I Didn t Know What I Was Looking For But I Knew It When I Found It Pocomoke High junior pitcher Annah Brittingham It was a call I awaited with great anticipation and I got that call Friday morning. Another of my students was verbally accepting a scholarship to play at and attend a D-I school. Annah Brittingham, the Pocomoke City High School junior who plays summer ball for the Morris County Belles Gold was going to join her Belles teammate, Sussex Tech junior Cassidy Taylor in Lynchburg, VA playing for the perennial Big South contender Liberty University Flames. Liberty secured the number 2 seed in the Big South Tournament this weekend, taking 2 games from Coastal Carolina and in a little over a year these girls will take their places on longtime Head Coach Paul Wetmore s team. This is the dream of so many players from the time they begin their softball careers and no less with Annah but she never really had it completely grab her until her team won the Maryland State High School 1A Championship when she was a freshman. Before that she and her parents had been more along the line of going to a D-III and playing field hockey and softball. After all, her school also won the Field Hockey State Championship. Yet, following her freshman year she decided she would rather play softball in college and try Page 1

2 for D-I or D-II. It was while interviewing AJ for this article that she gave me that great quote that is the title of the article but first things first. My first question to Annah was to ask her what she had to do to put herself in a position to be recruited by not only Liberty but a host of D-I, D-II and D-III schools. Young players with such aspirations have to know what others who have gone before them have done to get to this point. Reading about the steps players like Annah have to take allows the young readers and their parents to see what they will have to do to allow themselves the opportunity. Annah s answer to the question was listening to me (Mr. Bill) and going to a movement specialist to help become stronger. Expanding on the listening to me, obviously she listened to me about pitching and her lessons but she needed to get to a team that would afford her the opportunity to be seen by as many college coaches as possible. Thus, when Jim Barsalona called me and asked if I had anyone I could recommend to the Morris County Belles, I suggested Annah. Her parents made the trip to allow her to work out with the team and it was a good fit. She helped the team and the team helped her. It was a sacrifice for the family. Tournaments from New England to Florida and New Jersey to California required extensive travel but allowed her to be seen by hundreds of college coaches and the Belles do a great job marketing their players. During the fall of 2010 between a showcase in Orlando and another in Huntington Beach, CA, Coach Wetmore told me he was going to the Early Signing Showcase in Myrtle Beach and asked if the Belles and AJ would be there. As it was they were not playing that weekend. I asked Jerry Kirby of the Delaware Storm 18U if she could guest with his team down there so Paul could watch her. He agreed. Annah s pitching at that tournament was less than stellar. She was returning from a stress fracture of the ulna and had the fear that it would break again, but Coach Wetmore could tell she was a player. She had a grand slam, a triple, double and couple of singles, made a smooth play at third and peaked his interest. He asked me to keep him in the loop. I did and she got better and better in lessons to the point he asked me if she wanted to do an unofficial visit. That shows young players they can be off a little and still the trained eye can see the talent. That brought us to her visit and decision. My question was what impressed her about Liberty University. Annah responded The school is amazing. The girls on the team were very friendly and Coach Wetmore is a great coach. So, I continued you visited several schools and had several offers. What were you trying to find? How did you know Liberty was the one? That s when that quote came out of her mouth! I didn t know what I was looking for but I knew it when I found it! Definitely, that was more profound than she realized. Stephanie Speierman had such a moment on her unofficial visit to the University of Michigan. Coach Hutch told the family to go home and think it over and as they walked down the hall and were going to go get pizza she told her mom and dad I don t have to think it over. I want to go to school here. With that they turned around, went back to Hutch s office and committed. Lauren Gibson knew Tennessee was for her even though she did make it home. She called and committed. Brooke Tull with Seton Hall, Cassie Greenhawk with Bucknell and Cassidy Taylor with Liberty all knew it when they saw it, as did Sam Frungillo with Fairfield. Lauren Walker of Central York High, reigning PA Gatorade Player of the Year visited enough schools to make anyone s head spin but she knew UNC was what she wanted and it didn t take her very long to commit even though many wanted her. I asked Annah how it made her feel to know that she is committed and off the market. Definitely takes the pressure off of me. I am excited to work hard and get ready for my freshman year. Well, Annah you have to finish your junior year of high school first and then your senior year! It is great for her to know her future is secure and she can concentrate on playing at a high level to try and ready herself for fall of Page 2

3 Tom Brittingham sent a text to me Saturday saying he became euphoric when he finally realized what had happened. It s done. All the years of her hard work have paid off for her. They don t have to worry about how they will pay for college or if she will find what she wants. The stress is gone. Friday Tom invited Cheryl and I to a celebration dinner with their family but we had granddaughter Lily s birthday party. I was there in spirit. I am always excited when one of my hard-working girls gets what she wants and deserves. Annah has suffered some disappointments in high school ball this season, but this has to take the edge off of those. Coach Wetmore told me he was glad to have Annah on board and she would do a great job for them. Congratulations AJ and get ready to take your place as a Flame! Photos Seton Hall University sophomore Brooke Tull pitches shutout against Stony Brook Express 12U Black s Mimi Watson in tournament at Rehoboth Express 10U Kaitlyn Stahre at Rehoboth tournament Page 3

4 Alleigh Townsend of the Blue Hens 12U at Rehoboth Tournament Cristen Quillen, DE Storm 10U at Rehoboth Touurnament Kalie Adkins, DE Magic 12U South at Rehoboth Tournament Kerrigan Simpson, DE Express 12U White at Rehoboth Tournament Page 4

5 Lexi Black, DE Storm 10U at Rehoboth Tournament Maryland Stars 16U Sam Speierman in her birthday present I think Marlee had enough softball for one Saturday Page 5

6 Tips Do you know what seeding means in softball? Maybe you will play one less game on Sunday. Maybe you won t have to play at 8:00. Occasionally it may have a little significance but it doesn t win the tournament. If you are seeded number 1 after Saturday s games you win nothing. It only counts when you win the last game you play on Sunday. You must learn to win on Sunday. You must learn to go all out on Sunday. If you are eliminated in your first game Sunday what did the high seed get for you? Think about it. Learn how to win, how to finish! Girl s Windmill Pitching Website My website, though 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 other information. Be sure and bookmark Girl s Windmill Pitching Recruiter MOM This link will answer some valuable questions for the parents and student/athletes hoping to become prospects. I highly advise you to visit the site that has been set up and researched by Jan Greenhawk by clicking on the title above or by pasting in your browser. Check this link. I ve gotten good feedback. Andy Givens Hitting Instruction Andy Givens is the former Delaware Technical and Community College Assistant Baseball Coach, and former Head Softball Coach. He is currently the Head Softball Coach of the 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 through her website at: click on the logo above or call her at (302) Page 6

7 Holli Adkins (cymphotography)'s Home Welcome to the world of photography by Danny & Holli Adkins. We originally started taking photos for friends and family, who could not afford the high dollar photographers. Capture Your Moment Photography was then born. Our experience includes: Weddings, Family & Individual Portraits, Team Photos and Animals. Our goal is to deliver services that 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 the perfect presents! Check out those 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 the 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 In the final game of her sophomore season Brooke Tull hurled at 4-0 shutout of Stony Brook University. It has been a disappointing season for the Seton Hall University but Brooke managed to end her year on a positive note. th On Wednesday, May 5 Tori Brown pitched Linganore High to a 17-4 win over Thomas Johnson High. Eastern Tech completed their regular season on Thursday with a double header against Perry Hall. Eastern swept both game with a tight on in the first game with a score of 2-1 and really broke it open in the Second game with a score of 15-3 Lizz has a perfect 8-0 record with a total of 38 strike outs, 4 walks, 1 triple, 4 doubles and 10 singles for the season with Eastern Tech. On Monday they defeated Landsdowne for the Baltimore County Championship 5-3. Michigan swept Minnesota in the Big Ten this weekend while Indiana lost to Northwestern to give the Wolverines sole possession of first place in the conference with 2 left to play with Michigan State. Tennessee lost 3 straight to Florida, giving Florida the SEC Eastern Division Regular Season Crown. Lauren Gibson finished the regular season with a.431 average. Tennessee will have the 3 seed in the SEC tournament. Page 7

8 nd Maryland Magic Orange/Wagners 12U grabbed a 2 place finish at the Mama Don t Mind USSSA tournament this weekend to earn a berth to the USSSA A World Series. They now have berths in that world series and the PONY A National. Mackenzie Greico did a fantastic job on the mound for the team. Here are her stats: game 1 - Lost to Xplosion innings- 3hits 3 earned runs 2 strike outs Game 3 - Won vs. Xplosion innings - 3 hits 3 earned runs 1 bb 2 strike outs ( 1 for 2; 1 rbi) Game 4 - Won vs. Faquier Freeze innings 3 hits 1 earned run 4 strike outs She came in at the end of the Vienna Stars game but did not factor in that. (Head coach s comment.) I was told by Head Coach Jan Greenhawk that Mackenzie came to her in that final game and offered to go in and pitch even though she had already pitched 14.2 innings that day. Ladies and gentleman, that is a player!! Jan finally allowed her to go in and get the last out of the game and she did! On the day she pitched 14.2 innings in 4 games. I am proud to have been able to work with her this winter at the Maryland Stars Clinic. The Delaware Express 12U Black, who have impressed me every time I have watched them took the 12U championship at the USSSA qualifier in Rehoboth Beach, DE this weekend. Kat Betts pitched the championship win against the Delaware Diamonds 6-4. This team appears to have a solid defensive team with equally good hitting and pitching. It is a lot of fun to watch them. They have a lot of talent, team speed and know what to do when the ball is hit to them. nd Glen Warholic was ecstatic with his Maryland Stars 12U team s 2 place finish in tournament play this weekend. Although they lost in the championship game, they all played well and did an outstanding job and qualified for World Series. He said they were really meeting the challenges. I know the group I worked with at the pitching clinic were talented and eager to learn. Stephen Decatur defeated Snow Hill High Jesci Iacona (Delaware Storm 18U) was 2 for 3 with a walk, sacrifice fly, 2 RBI s, 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. Amanda Parsons (Maryland Magic Orange/Wagners 16U) was 4 for 4 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored and 3 stolen bases. Against Wicomico the team won Iacona was 2 for 2 with a walk, an RBI, scored 4 runs and 2 stolen bases. Parsons was 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI s. Taylor Black (Delaware Diamonds 14U Gray) was 1 for 3 with 1 run scored and 1 stolen base. Page 8

9 th On Monday May 9 they took on Parkside and eked out a 1-0 victory over Parkside. Iacona was 2 for 3, with a double scoring the winning run on Amanda Parsons game winning hit. Parsons was 2 for 3. Taylor Black was 1 for 1 with a walk and sacrifice bunt. Sam Muir (Delaware Diamonds 18U Black) got a win for Wicomico Monday over Bennett to complete the regular season. Pocomoke High completed their regular season Monday with a 1-0 win for Annah Brittingham (Morris Couunty Belles Gold). Annah struck out 13 with a 4-hitter and walked 1. Holly Grove beat Greenwood Mennonite Kristi Marsh and Lydia Parsons (both with Mid-Atlantic Lady Shockers 18U) combined for the no-hitter. Page 9