Girl s Windmill Pitching Volume 315 November 10, 2010 Where You Belong Every little girl who plays fastpitch has visions of playing for UCLA, Arizona, Tennessee, Michigan or some favorite big-time program that they hear about and/or watch in person or on TV. Yes, some actually go to the games and watch their favorites play. It becomes a quest, a holy grail that draws them throughout their careers. While we don t want to quench the fires of their dreams, we owe it to them to let them know what may be required of them to get an opportunity to play at that level. The recent ESPN Sun Classic in Kissimmee, FL drew the coaches from these programs. Therefore if your daughter was at that tournament, she had the opportunity to possibly be seen by these coaches. The reality is not one team from Maryland or Delaware was selected to participate. 21 states were represented but not one from this area. Parents and kids must realize the reality that if you want to play for a major college program, you must play on a team that plays where those schools scout recruits. You can t expect them to come to you at your tournament if it isn t one that attracts highly competitive teams. If you think along those lines, you re kidding yourselves. Even the mid-level D-I schools want to see you against the best competition so they can judge your talent level. You may look like a world beater against lesser competition. I recently talked to a college coach who watched a very good hitter I recommended. The coach thought she could hit but told the head coach the competition was not good so the book was still open on her. She played no further tournaments and no further evaluation was possible. One of my pitchers was evaluated by several D-I schools at the Sun Classic and some of those coaches said they wanted to see her again at Myrtle Beach this weekend. By being there and vying against the best in the country, she initiates and holds the interest of the coaches. Next athletically, schools look for certain attributes and they have them set in their minds. You probably won t change it. I talked at one tournament to the pitching coach of Penn State as she watched one of my students pitch. She noted the kid was only 5'7" tall. I looked at her and said Stephanie Speierman of the University of Michigan is 5'6". So is Megan Langenfeld of UCLA. Her next reason was the kid wasn t fast enough. My question then was about her movement. Look at her movement! Doesn t that mean anything? It was a losing battle and I knew it. I stopped. What does that show you? They want size. One coach said she won t look at any girl under 5'10".
Where will you fit based upon that criteria? Next if you are a pitcher you stand a much better chance at a major D-I if you are 63 mph or above and the faster the better. If you are in that borderline 59-62 mph, you may be a mid-level D-I or high level D-II prospect. Unfortunately some peak at certain speeds and can t get above it. That is just a fact. A pitching instructor can help you get the most out of yourself but we can t get more than you have inside yourself. Again I ask, where will you fit based upon that criteria? I recently talked with a very successful D-III coach and she has a catcher who has a POP time of 1.63. That is major D-I talent. The coach said she couldn t believe the girl didn t go D-I. It was their loss and the coach s gain. I told the coach the kid probably didn t get exposed to the D-I coaches. She didn t get to the right fields. All of those factors come into play. I am speculating. I really don t know the exact reason for this kid but I do know where my pitchers get seen and where they don t get seen. There are certain factors that affect your marketability to certain schools. There are things those coaches look for and there are things other schools look for that may align better with your ability and body type. Try to see where you fit and keep in mind we are only talking about as a player. We aren t even touching upon your ability as a student. If you throw mid-fifties and are a pitcher, D-I and probably D-II is not a realistic option but you may be able to play D-III. If you are a pitcher in the 5'3" or shorter range again look at reasonable options for yourself. Everything is relative to your size and ability. Don t sell yourself short (so to speak) but don t expect Mike Candrea to show up at your next tournament or your high school game. If you don t play in the large, well respected tournaments, it won t happen. Find that place where you belong. Tips I see over and over students who pay no attention to their mechanics and just get out there and throw. Then they get frustrated because the ball keeps doing the same thing over and over again. That is Einstein s definition of insanity. You can t continually do the same thing and expect different results. Once you begin to do the right thing and you do it over and over again the results will be the same. Use good mechanics. Then the description of insanity becomes the definition of consistency which is one of the marks of a good pitcher. 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 Girl s Windmill Pitching Teamed Up with Lower Shore Family YMCA I have teamed up with the Lower Shore YMCA in Pocomoke City, MD. We have private pitching lessons on Fridays concerning any upcoming clinics. While you are there take a tour of the facility and let them talk to you about a family membership at their state of the art facility on over 100 acres. You will love it! We have a waiting list there. So, if you are interested in getting in let me know. All slots are taken and you will be placed on a waiting list if you desire.
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 http://recruitermom.org/index.html 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) 228-7960 or email him at:ragivens@verizon.net My daughter, Ashley is a Mary Kaye Beauty Consultant. 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: http://www.marykay.com/asomers6/default.aspx, click on the logo above or call her at (302) 228-3829. Holli Adkins (cymphotography)'s Home http://cymphotography.smugmug.com 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 e-mail us at cymphotography@yahoo.com.
Maryland Stars Pitching Clinic rd I will teach at the The Maryland Stars pitching clinic will begin Saturday, December 3 at Linton Springs Elementary School in Sykesville, MD. Time slots begin at 4:00 with 4 students and 45-minute sessions. The clinic will be held in two 8-week sessions. For more information or to register contact Staci Speierman at: staci.speierman@gmail.com Bengies-Chase Pitching clinic I will also teach at the Bengies-Chase Pitching Clinic that will be held at Eastern Regional Park in Chase, MD. Clinic dates are Thursdays from the first Thursday in January through the end of February. Contact Dennis Andrzejewski at : dpa830@comcast.net News and Tournament Results th I will be doing a Saturday morning pitching clinic at Snow Hill High school beginning November 27. All pitching slots are already full. Shane Abbott of the Blue Hens 12U tell me the team is looking for pitching for the spring/summer 2011 season. If you are interested contact Shane at 302-344-6933. nd Congratulations to the Morris County Belles 2 baseman Nikki Caruso. Nikki verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh this weekend. She is the latest of the current Belle 18U team to commit. The ESPN Sun Classic Showcase held last weekend was a rousing success. Every ACC team, every SEC, SWC and several PAC 10 teams were represented. Big 10, MAAC, and a host of FL teams were also represented. One report was that over 100 coaches watched the OC Batbusters play their Saturday afternoon game. Congratulations to Jim Barsalona and Kevin O Donnell for the great tournament. I forgot last week to mention Taylor August s grand slam. Duh! I sat right there in the dugout and watched it. I also didn t mention Nicole Ayer s great pitching performance in the Maryland Legends/MC Belles tie. She befuddled the Belles hitters through much of the game. I received an email from Rob Maseth, the Head Coach of the Heartbreakers 12U. The team had a fantastic fall. Hey Bill, In the "Wow" factor department, had to share a little about our team this past weekend. Our Heartbreakers 12U concluded the fall by winning the Baseliners Halloween Classic. Bar none, this is the toughest challenge annually for the 10-14U age groups in the fall. As usual, the Baseliners put on a fantastic tourney, had great officials, and their organization was blessed with some decint fall weather for a change. LOL (rain has messed with the last 2-3 years)
Our team, put on a show for the ages going 5-1-1 for the weekend, including 3 victories, (2 in elimination play) in their last at bat. After a slow start on Saturday (1-1-1 against Loudon Black, Ashburn, and So Md Shockers) we found ourselves, down 2-0 to Loudon Red in the 6th inning. Loudon Red had won 3 or 4 previous tourney's this fall. We scored 2 in the 6th, and 2 in the seventh to get the so important first game. We won the second in ITB against Vienna Stars '98. We proceeded to beat Germantown Titans in the Semi, by a count of 6-2, and then took the field and beat the Shamrocks 5-0 in the championship game. Every last player, including my 2 young ladies with only rec ball on their resume contributed large through out the tourney. It was especially rewarding, to see how our girls picked each other up as a team, even when dealing with some of the emotional let downs in the tourney. This is a very special group. They finished fall with a record of 16-4-1. Us coaches are beyond proud of their accomplishments! On the pitching front, Sunday was a tale of two fields, and in perspective...2 semi's and two finals. No down time in between games. In the first "semi and final" Taylor "Southpaw" Stocks pitched phenomenal and showed some true grit in the circle when things got tough. She was at times simply dominating. She gave up a total of 6 runs (3 earned) and struck out 16 in 15 innings. Emily took the circle in the Semi and Championship game. She gave up 2 runs (1 earned) in 13 innings worked, and struck out 15. She finished strong and worked the change up masterfully. Us Heartbreaker coaches cannot wait to get started for winter! Regards Rob