Girl s Windmill Pitching. The Fall Classic

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1 Girl s Windmill Pitching Volume 379 October 10, 2012 B ill D ryden The Fall Classic It was a spectacular fall Friday when Cheryl and I left Delmar for Edison, NJ and the Team New Jersey Fall Classic Showcase. I was looking forward to not only working with the Morris County Belles Gold, but we were also going to Bridgewater to watch the Morris County Belles Elite play. They were short on players, particularly pitching due to an injury and the death of one of their pitcher s close friends and Nick had asked me if I had any pitchers to help them out. The Delaware Storm allowed them to borrow Nikki Mendes, one of my unsigned senior students, and hard throwing Maggie Cannon, who plays for the Storm 12U (you heard right, 12U). We shot for another of Jerry Kirby s pitchers first (not one of mine) but when we that one didn t respond in time I had to do something and Jerry gave me permission to contact Maggie s dad. Bob Cannon quickly jumped at the opportunity and off Maggie and he went Thursday evening. nd Friday we arrived in time for their 2 game. We missed the first one and apparently Maggie came in that game to pitch with the bases loaded and one out. One of the reasons I sent her is because that doesn t bother her in the least. She is that give me the ball type of pitcher. They scored one run off of her and she got out of the inning with no further damage. Nikki got some mound time with them but the college coaches were most impressed with her running ability. By the time I got there she had already used it to impress a D-I school and a couple more schools. By the time she finished playing with the Elite and the Gold team7 colleges left their business cards for her and asked that she contact them. That was thanks to the Magic of Nick Frungillo, President and recruiter for the Belles organization. Nikki and Charlie (Nikki s dad) were quite impressed. In game two of the Belles Elite schedule, I did get to see Maggie play first base very well and came in the game to try to close out an inning. With runners on base and the game on the line, she made one pitch to get a weak nd ground ball to 2 and they were again out of the inning. After that it was time to get to Edison and time for the Belles Gold to start. Over the course of the weekend the Belles played 4 games (2 Friday and 2 Saturday) and were rained out before they started Sunday. We had some milestones along the way. Amanda (DUH) Parsons hit her first homer in a Belles uniform and it proved to be the eventual game winner. Sarah Freyre, the Belles senior corner player verbally committed to Middlebury, leaving the team with only 2 uncommitted 2013 graduates. During a play at the plate Katie Baron and a player from Florida Ultimate Gold collided and both girls were injured. Katie sustained a concussion and will not be able to play in the NJ Outlaws Showcase but will be ready for Virginia Beach. You re a tough one Tall Princess of the Pitcher s Mound.

2 At the Hampton Inn I saw long time friend Randy Johnson. Randy is heavily involved with Delaware Magic and is the Head Coach of the prestegious Caravel Academy, a perennial softball high school power in Delaware. He was at the tournament supporting some of his girls who Play summer ball for the Pennsbury Gems Gold. The reporter in me drove me to ask him about the rumor that he may take over the Sussex Tech softball program. He quickly dispelled any such talk by telling me he has no intentions of leaving Caravel. We talked a bit about how playing ball at tournaments like Team New Jersey is such an eye opener. I had the pleasure of meeting Rutgers assistant coach Ryan McMullen, who I had exchanged s with several times but hadn t met in person. There were a few unusual things that happened while we were there like Taylor Pechin deciding she didn t have to eat breakfast at a table and instead just bellied up to the buffet bar. She swears she was waiting for her waffle to finish, but I m not so sure. All weekend Kaylie Perry kept changing her nickname on me. We went from squirrel to mole to chipmunk to rug rat. I couldn t figure out who I was addressing. A highlight for sure was the return of Cassandra Squeri, the 2013 pitcher who has been absent due to injury. She looked very good on the mound. Cass is easy to work with and has a very disarming smile. I have to give a shout out to Kaylie Perry. She has an uncanny ability to track a ball in the outfield, a strong arm, and knows what to do with the ball once she has it. She is impressing the Head Coach Don Keimel and college coaches. rd Another shout out to Sarah Freyre. Sarah is a beast at 3 base. She has cat-like reactions and Middlebury is getting a fantastic young lady. She made some terrific plays and had key hits. Shaina Reed did a superb job on the mound against the Virginia Legends. Katie Baron, Taylor Pechin, and Shelby Smith also did well on the mound. This was the first time Shelby Smith s dad, Glenn had seen Nick Frungillo do his thing with the college coaches. Glenn said Mr. Bill, he never stops! He never sits down! That s right Glenn and you know something else? He gets hunted down by the coaches. They look for him as much as he looks for them. Even guest players get the same attention from him that the regular roster gets. th He s already got 7 grader, Maggie Cannon on a D-I watch list. Elusive to some, seldom photographed by any but ever working! I had the opportunity to work with a great young lady with the Belles Elite team. Blair Morsel is her name and her last name must have been given to her by size. She is a small 2016 graduate but Catcher Blair Morsel if you think she play according to her size you are quite wrong. She is a fantastic catcher with a super strong arm and can put a jolt into the ball with her bat. I saw her launch one almost out of the park Saturday night.

3 That evening the Gold team sent some players to play with the Elite and get some more time on the field. Shelby Smith and Taylor Pechin went to get mound time and Shaina Reed went to get field and plate time. Blair was calling pitches and I told her that when the other team came up for the 2nd time against Shelby, make sure she started working in the inside rise and change-up in order to keep them off balance. I said especially if you see them begin to foul pitches back we have to change things a little. Blair looked at me and said Do you want me to do it after they foul 2 off or 3? I must have just looked at her or maybe I called her name. She said Do you want me to just go with it? I replied yes, just go with it. What a great kid! It was nice to see how the Gold team is beginning to gel as a team and support each other. I always have a great time and Team New Jersey and with the Morris County Belles and this was no different. It s always memorable and the Belles certainly insure that. Photos K atie B aron show s great m echanics before concussion (Jenn C ooper Photo) B ack from the hospital, K atie B aron exhibits w ar w ould from collision that resulted in concussion. In the background in orange is Jessie Sm ith, m other of B elles pitcher Shelby Sm ith and cut partially from the foreground of the photo...you guessed it...the elusive, seldom photographed N ick F rungillo

4 Sarah Freyre of the Morris County Belles Gold has committed to M iddlebury Catch the infectious smile of pitcher, Cass Squeri surrounded by Gianna Kinhofer leaving for some reason, Amanda Parsons to Cass s immediate left, Katie Baron somewhat secreted away by number 24, Sarah Freyre (photo by Jenn Cooper) Nice L, loose elbow, long arm, level shoulders, all in line (photo by Jenn Cooper) Cass shows a good load as she begins to deliver a pitch

5 High fives for Am anda Parsons and her hom e run (photo by Jenn Cooper) Tips Some people wonder why I have some 11 and 12-year-old girls who throw so hard. It s not a big secret. The faster ones are strong, practice a lot, have nice mechanics, and above all, don t worry. They don t aim or guide the ball or worry is it going to be a strike or will I hit the batter. They pitch the ball, period. If you practice often and use good mechanics, you can let the ball go without worrying. If you are micro-managing every pitch, you will not be successful. When you are on the mound, mechanics take over. Surgeons don t undertake procedures with trepidations. Professionals go into ventures without trepidations. Your approach to pitching should be the same. In order to be confident and successful, practice with good mechanics. Girl s Windmill Pitching Check out my website, You can find my newsletters, some links, photos, and some of my students video clips. Just click on the title in blue above or paste the URL into your browser. Girl s Windmill Pitching Private Lessons I am currently giving one on one 30-minute private pitching instructions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Georgetown, DE area and Fridays at the Lower Shore Family YMCA. I am now offering private lessons in the Harrington, DE area. If you are interested in lessons at either of the venues, let me know. Contact me at billdryden1@girlswindmillpitching.com Recruiter MOM This link will answer some valuable questions for the parents and student/athletes hoping to become

6 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 Black 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@comcast.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) Do you see the logo above? That is the logo of the Visalus weight loss and fitness program. Two of my daughters and their husbands got on the program and have had great results, losing pounds, increasing metabolism, feeling energetic and having overall health improvement. Now my wife has is starting it and they have me convinced. People are able to leave their cholesterol and blood pressure medicines! I would love that but only when my cardiologist advises me to do it. My son has even started it. Kim and Ashley have many team members who are having the same results. You will be eating and living healthier and not starving yourself as you do it. Another great thing about the program is you can get your kits free if you sign up 3 friends. If you are interested in changing your life, me at billdryden1@comcast.net or my wife, Cheryl Dryden at cheryldryden1@att.net or call her after 4:15 at (302) for information about the 90 day Visalus challenge. There are tasting parties occurring almost nightly and Cheryl will be glad to attend one with you. News and Tournament Results More good news for Maggie Cannon. After doing Friday and Saturday with the Morris County Belles 18U Elite team at Team New Jersey she returned to the Delaware Storm 12U team to play a couple of play day games in Wilmington. She had two triples including one with bases loaded. Brad Black told me Lexi Black also did a

7 th great job on the mound. This 6 grader just continues to mature and develop as a pitcher. She has grown by leaps and bounds and I will soon see her at the 55+ level. I heard from Cherie White whose daughter, Erica plays for the Delaware Diamonds 16U Gray. Cherie said Erica had a good day on the mound. She also did well pitching 5 innings Sunday. This was her first ever travel ball tournament. Kat Betts of the Delaware Express 16U will guest with the Morris County Belles Elite this weekend at the NJ Outlaws Fall Showcase. The team is still short a pitcher due to injury and it has provided an opportunity for some players to get college coach exposure. 7