FASTPITCH DELIVERY
The Newspaper of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Volume 11, No. 3
February 2006
No Chance for Softball in 2012 London Olympics
By Lacy Lee Baker
Publisher
Softball is out of the 2012 Olympics, and it appears
there’s no chance of reinstatement.
The International Olympic Committee, meeting
February 9 in Turin, Italy, rejected pleas from both
softball and baseball to be admitted to the London
Olympic Games program. Both sports failed to get a
required majority for putting the proposal to a vote.
IOC members voted against considering softball 47-43
and against considering baseball 46-42.
ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda sent a
memorandum to ASA Council members at 5:06 a.m.
CST February 9 reporting the news. ASA Director of
Communications Brian McCall had called Radigonda
from Italy, where McCall was working for the Winter
Olympics.
Radigonda reported: “I understand that softball
had numerous speakers make presentations on the
assembly floor in favor of softball being reinstated.
Those against us campaigned not on the merits, or lack
of merits of our sport, but on the fact that the IOC just
voted six months ago on this issue and that it should
not be revisited and that it would make the IOC look
bad for changing their mind in such a short period of
time. It appears that strategy won out today.”
Softball and baseball were eliminated
from the Olympic program in July at the
IOC meeting in Singapore, but remain on
the 2008 Beijing Games program.
Support of at least 51 percent of the
International Olympic Committee members was required before reinstatement
could go to a secret ballot. After that,
each sport would have needed majority
backing in a second vote.
According to IOC President Jacques
Rogge, this was the last chance for the
sports to be readmitted in time for the
London Games. They will be eligible to
reapply later for the 2016 games.
Associated Press reported that Rogge said, “We
will work closely with the two federations. We will
work with them at the Olympic Games at Beijing and
see if there’s a chance to come back in the program. I
understand the disappointment of those who pleaded
for the reinstatement.”
Anita DeFrantz, one of the U.S. delegates to the
IOC, supported softball and started off the discussion.
“It is a women’s sport,” she said. “It is a separate sport
and should be considered separately from the merits
of baseball. This sport has its own policies, provides
ASA Announces Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
Special Release to the NFCA
The Amateur Softball Association has announced
its initial watch list for the 5th annual USA Softball
National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This
award, which is considered one of the most prestigious
honors in collegiate softball, is designed to recognize
outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate
softball players across the country. Past winners of
this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida
State’s Jessica Van der Linden and two-time winner
Texas pitcher Cat Osterman.
The 2006 pre-season watch list is comprised of 50
players representing 28 schools and 10 different NCAA
Division I conferences. USA Softball will announce its
25 finalists on April 5. A player does not have to appear
on the initial watch list to be considered as a Top 25
finalist, but once the Top 25 is named, the remaining
finalist must be selected from that list.
Just days before the start of post-season play, a list
of 10 finalists will be named and released. The three
finalists will be announced at the end of May. The winner of the award will be announced during the NCAA
Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame
in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An
additional replica of the award will be presented to the
player’s academic institution.
Osterman was selected as the 2005 winner after
leading her Texas Longhorns to the Big 12 Tournament title and a berth in the Women’s College World
Series. This marked the second time the southpaw
from Houston, Texas, was named as a recipient of the
award, and she will be back for her senior season at
Texas in 2006.
This year’s watch list contains six players who
were among the Top 10 finalists for the 2005 Award
including Michigan’s Jennie Ritter, Arizona’s Caitlin
Lowe and Osterman, who were the three finalists in
Oklahoma City.
See Complete Watch List, page 19
an opportunity for women and finally deserves to be
on our program.”
Members from Cuba, Australia, Guatemala, Brazil,
Spain, Canada, South Africa and Taiwan spoke in favor
of both sports. Australia’s Kevan Gosper said the IOC
should have the courage to reconsider the situation.
Jim Easton, another U.S. delegate to the IOC and
president of Easton Sports, had recused himself from
the previous vote in Singapore because of his interests
in the sports. However, for today’s vote, he received
clearance from the IOC ethics commission and executive board to take part.
Season Previews for
All College Divisions
Begin on Page 10!
NCAA Division I...................Page 10
NCAA Division II.................Page 12
NCAA Division III................Page 13
NAIA...................................Page 14
NJCAA................................Page 15
NWAACC.............................Page 16
California CC......................Page 16
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 2
February 2006
Around the Diamond
NFCA CORPORATE
TEAMMATES
Job Openings
Official Bat
Official Uniform
Official Ball
For more information, contact Malin Marin, HR Assistant
by e-mail at hr@providence.edu.
Head Coach
Philadelphia Force
The Philadelphia Force franchise of National Pro
Fastpitch is currently seeking a head softball coach for its
inaugural 2006 season. The Force’s home stadium is in
Allentown, Pa.
Applicants must have collegiate coaching experience to
be considered. To apply, e-mail a cover letter and resume
to Jen Carlo, Assistant GM, jcarlo@philadelphiaforce.com.
No phone calls please.
For more information, visit the Force web site at <philadelphiaforce.com> or e-mail Jen Carlo.
Assistant Coach
Providence College
Official Protective Equipment
Official Training &
Field Equipment
Official Footwear
Official Headwear
NFCA CORPORATE FRIEND
Official Protective Garments/
Protective Knitted Padding
Providence College, an NCAA Division I member
of the Big East conference located in Providence, R.I., is
taking applications for the position of assistant softball
coach. Providence College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts
institution founded by and operated under the auspices of
the Dominican Friars, and the college especially welcomes
applicants who can affirm and enhance its mission.
The position will assist in the overall instruction and
training of student-athletes under NCAA operating bylaws,
including the recruitment of new student-athletes, strength
and conditioning, ongoing assessment of student-athlete
abilities, and academic advising.
Duties will include developing game and practice plans
and communicating with current and potential students;
providing instruction to student-athletes on sport-specific
skills and game-related tactics; complying with and upholding NCAA rules and guidelines and completing all
necessary documentation; performing work related to the
recruitment of student-athletes; developing, implementing,
and monitoring a conditioning program for student athletes;
partnering with Academic Affairs to advise student-athletes
on academic issues; and initiating fundraising efforts and
public relation initiatives.
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in related
field. Significant collegiate playing and coaching experience
is also required, as are excellent oral and written communication skills.
Send letter of application and resume to Human Resources, Harkins Hall, Room 407, Providence, RI 02918 or
e-mail your resume to hr@providence.edu and include the
job position title on the subject line.
Other Positions
Competition Manager – International Softball Federation
The International Softball Federation is seeking applicants
for the position of Competition Manager. This is a 10-11 month
commitment, and the person is expected to be in Doha, Qatar
as soon as possible, on a full time basis, until the end of the
Games, possibly January 2007.
Duties include, but are not limited to, budget management,
scheduling, public relations and field maintenance. The applicant should possess a strong background in the sport of softball
and the skills necessary to assist the organizers in planning and
implementing an international softball competition.
Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred), a minimum of three years coaching
or related experience (in the sport of softball), strong organizational skills, proven ability to manage large competitions,
strong communication skills and command of the English language. The person must demonstrate excellent computer skills.
Experience in facility and event management is a plus.
Temporary relocation is required – candidates must have a
valid passport. All accommodations, food, transport and other
expenses will be on the person’s own account. Salary will be
commensurate with experience.
To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to: Mr. Don
Porter, President, International Softball Federation, 1900 S.
Park Road, Plant City, Florida 33563; it can also be faxed to
(813) 864-0105 or e-mailed to dporter@internationalsoftball.
com.
For more information, contact Don Porter at (813) 8640100 or e-mail at the address given above.
Advertise Your Job Opening
The NFCA will print job ads in
Fastpitch Delivery free of charge.
To advertise your job announcement on the NFCA
Web site for a charge, go to www.nfca.org and click on
Jobline. Ad prices are listed on the site.
Click on Employers on the left side and follow the registration procedures to post your job announcement.
Job announcements will appear on the
NFCA Web site.
Fastpitch Delivery (USPS: 018-746) (ISSN: 1530-0978)
Published 16 times a year — monthly except semimonthly in September, March, April and May — by the
National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Phone (662)
320-2155; Fax (662) 320-2283; e-mail nfca@nfca.org.
Subscriptions come with membership in the NFCA. Address corrections requested — POSTMASTER: Send
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Articles for Fastpitch Delivery are solicited and edited
under the guidance of the Education and Publications Committee of the NFCA and its Executive Director. To submit an
article for the newspaper or receive information on membership, call (662) 320-2155 or visit the NFCA web site at <www.
nfca.org>.
Lacy Lee Baker — Publisher llb@nfca.org
Christina Edgar — Editor christina@nfca.org
Bill Gray — Chair, Education and Publications
Committee
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Coaching Changes
Page 3
News and Notes
Melissa Frost has been named the new head coach at the University of Indianapolis. Frost was formerly the head coach at Wheeling Jesuit University...Former
Mobile head coach Vincent Dima has accepted the same position at Thomas
University...Joanna Lane stepped down as head coach at Wesleyan College to
accept the assistant position at Northern Illinois University...Marianne Bullis and
Kyle Magnusson have been promoted to co-head coaches at Utah after serving
as assistants in the program.
New Members
Ellie Allen, Head, Team TFS (NC); Andy Alsdorf, Head, Colorado Stampede
(CO); Allen Alves, Jr., Head, MC Elite U16 (TX); Raj Bains, Head, G.U.T.S.
Fastpitch (WA); Maryann Baran, Head, Seton Academy (IL); Rebecca Bedenbaugh, Head, RidgeView High School (SC); John Bell, Assistant, L.I. Chargers
(NY); Cristina Byrne, Head, Dominican University of California; Stephen
Calendo, Head, Hart High School (CA); Federico Colon, Head, Antioch Community High School (IL); Justin Copeland, Head, Oak Mountain Academy
(GA); Lori Cox, Head, Kaskaskia College; Brian Crane (GA); Rob Criddle,
Head, East Mississippi Community College; Debra Delahunt, Head, Fairfield
Ludlowe High School (CT); Neil DeMaio, Head, Hudson Valley Express (NY);
Mark Ghezzi (FL); Erica Hardy, Assistant, University of Texas at Tyler; Eva
Harshman, Assistant, Centenary College of Louisiana; Staci Heath, Head,
David Douglas High School (OR); Donald Hilsdon, Head, Honey Grove High
School (TX); Larry Hoff, Assistant, Lake County Fastpitch (IL); Pat Hurley,
Head, Columbia High School (NJ); Edward Kelly, Head, Invasion (CA); Bob
Kordecki, Head, Loch Raven High School (MD); Miles Mallette, Assistant,
Kentucky Wesleyan College; Michael Maybaum, Head, Avon Grove Area Little
League (GA); Phillip McCloud, Head, Texas Glory Gold (TX); Jenelle Mor-
rison, Assistant, University of Texas at Tyler; Angela Nicholson, Head, Butler
University; Jon O’Neal, Head, Central Mass Firecrackers (MA); Ken Orpitelli,
Head, Pacifica High School (CA); Andrew Owens, Head, Glendale High School
(OR); Nathan Parrish, Lady Renegades (FL); Tonya Perkins, USSSA; Dennis
Peterson, Head, St. Olaf College; Lisa Quednow-Bickler, Head, Clark College;
James Ramsey, Head, Whitesboro High School (TX); Michael Rehfeldt, Head,
Miss Charlotte Fastpitch (FL); Arthur Riccio, Head, Valley Stream Central High
School (NY); Tommy Rogers, Assistant, Tulsa Eagles Gold (OK); Jen Rosant,
Assistant, Brookdale Community College; Thomas (Bo) Scannapieco, Head,
Brookdale Community College; Laura Schmidt, Head, Sedro-Woolley High
School (WA); Blake Sherrod, Head, Skyhawks (AL); Lynn Shortway, Head,
Hawthorne High School (NJ); Todd Shuskey, Head, Perry High School (NY);
Kate Smith (NY); Stephanie Smith, Head, Taylor University; Matt Tamanini,
Assistant, Allen County Community College; Kelli Treybig, Head, Anahuac High
School (TX); Joni Vaughan, Head, Waxahachie ISD (TX); Complete Vision
LLC; Kent Yamaguchi, Head, Chaminade University of Honolulu; Robert
Zloty, Head, Indiana Magic (IN).
Easton Merges with Riddell Bell
Easton has announced the merging of Easton Sports and Riddell Bell Holdings. The combined entity, to be named Easton-Bell Sports, Inc., will be a branded
sports equipment company dedicated to enhancing athletic performance and
protection with innovative equipment.
“In softball, this will not have an effect on our spring sports. However, the
knowledge and equipment that Riddell Bell brings to the table will only make us
better. Business will continue in fastpitch softball as it has for years with myself
and Karen Weisman,” Easton representative Pam Newton reported.
NATIONAL FASTPITCH COACHES ASSOCIATION
Membership Application
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is
a multi-level coaching organization serving girls’
and women’s fastpitch coaches at all competitive
levels of play. The NFCA strives to promote and
develop the sport, coaching knowledge and leadership through the services it offers.
Members of the NFCA receive 16 issues of
Fastpitch Delivery, discounts on various products
and resource materials, and the NFCA Directory
of Information free.
The NFCA also represents its members in
organizations such as the ASA and NCAA.
Awards programs are offered for coaching
wins, and high school and collegiate All-American
and Scholar-Athlete honors.
The NFCA also holds a national convention in
December, combining business meetings, coaching
seminars, exhibits of top equipment and plenty of
social/networking opportunities. Members also
receive discounts to NFCC courses.
Note: Individual subscriptions to Fastpitch Delivery
are not sold outside of a full membership. It is estimated that $35 of the membership fee goes to Fastpitch
Delivery.
CIRCLE APPROPRIATE CATEGORY
Head Coach Division I -- $150
Name ________________________________
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Work Phone (____)_______________________
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Non-Coaching Members -- $50 (Please check type:)
former coach
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Mail or fax this application to: NFCA
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Fastpitch Delivery
Page 4
February 2006
NPF Releases 2006 Schedule National Team Coaches Named
National Pro Fastpitch has announced its 2006 schedule
and an opening date of May 31. Regular-season play will
end August 20, followed by the playoffs and championship
August 26-27.
All seven NPF teams will play a 48-game regular season
schedule, including seven four-game home series and five
four-game road series. However, the Connecticut Brakettes,
one of two new teams in the league, will play 52 games.
“We’ve made tremendous strides from where we were,”
said Joey Arrietta, chair of the NPF Scheduling Committee and owner of the Akron
Racers.
“Last year, the owners took over the league in December, so we had a lot of
work to do in getting the 2005 season off the ground. We’ve made a quantum leap
from where we were a year ago,” Arrietta said.
Five of the seven teams will play every other league team at least once, while
the Chicago Bandits and Texas Thunder will play all but each other. The concept of
playing international teams will continue and the results will once again be included
in the teams’ overall records.
“Travel costs are a big part of our budgets, so we’re pleased that all of our
teams have seven home stands. We’re also very happy with the cooperation of
the international teams and feel that the strength of our outside competition has
improved,” Arrietta said.
International opponents include national teams from Canada, China, Chinese
Taipei and Dominican Republic, as well as Denso Japan, a professional team. The
USA Softball Team, World University Games Team and the Michigan Ice, a candidate team for NPF membership in 2007, are also scheduled as opponents.
ESPN will air a select number of NPF games in 2006 including the NPF AllStar Game. “National television exposure is exactly what the league and players
need to continue to move our sport to the next level,” stated Patrick Linden, the
league’s newly appointed president. Negotiations continue with local television
networks, radio broadcast and web-cast partners. A complete broadcast schedule
will be released at a later date.
Arrietta said a future goal is for every team to play each other in home and
away stands, but currently, the league is taking “baby steps” toward it. “We need
to build a firm foundation so that the league remains,” Arrietta said.
The formula to determine playoff teams and the playoff structure is still to be
determined.
See Complete Schedule, page 17
Longtime Brakette Sponsor Dies
Reprinted courtesy of ASA’s “The Inside Pitch”
BRADENTON, FL -- Bill Simpson, 89, who put the Raybestos Cardinals and
Raybestos Brakettes on the softball map during his years as a sponsor, passed away
on January 21, 2006, of natural causes.
Simpson, who worked for Raybestos-Manhattan from 1939-1983, sponsored
the Raybestos Brakettes for 28 years and the Cardinals for 25 years while serving
as the CEO and then chairman. Simpson retired in 1983 and five years later moved
to Bradenton. He was the man responsible for making Stratford one of the most
well known communities for hosting ASA men’s and women’s fastpitch softball.
In 1974, Stratford hosted the ISF Women’s World Championship.
Simpson received his B.A. degree from Williams College in 1939 and an Honorary Public Service Degree from Fairfield University. Under his leadership, the
facilities at Raybestos Memorial Field in Stratford were built, plus he was involved
with numerous other community and civic organizations. Simpson was inducted
into the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in 1976.
Simpson is survived by his wife, Terry; daughters Patricia Martell and Susan
Kardos, and a son, John Martell, all of Bradenton; five grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren.
Most of the coaching assignments for 2006 have been announced by the
ASA.
Mike Candrea, 2004 U.S. National/Olympic team coach and Arizona head
coach, has been confirmed as Team USA’s head coach. His assistants will be named
in May. This summer, Candrea will head up the team that will compete at both the
World Cup in Oklahoma City, Okla., and the ISF World Championships in Beijing,
China. The team also will play in exhibition games versus NPF teams this summer.
Candrea also will coordinate activities at the Women’s National Team selection
camp. He will be assisted by Chuck D’Arcy, John Rittman (Stanford), Jay Miller
(Mississippi State), Karen Sanchelli-Johns (Virginia), Cheri Kempf (Worth Club
K), Gordon Eakin (BYU) and Scott Whitlock (Kennesaw State).
Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins has been chosen head coach of the World
University Games team. The squad, to be comprised of athletes who have just
finished college or have college eligibility remaining, will compete this summer
at the World University Games in Taiwan and will play a series against the NPF’s
Chicago Bandits. Hutchins will be assisted by Teresa Wilson (Texas Tech), Mike
Larabee (Wright State) and Mark Lumley (Baylor). All four coaches will work the
selection camp in Chula Vista, in addition to Whitlock and Eakin.
Miller, in his fourth season at Mississippi State, has been selected head coach
of the Junior Women’s National Team. The squad will compete sometime this fall
in the Americas qualifier for the Junior Women’s World Championships, followed
by the worlds in the summer of 2007. He will be assisted by Kempf, Suzy Brazney
(Golden West) and Barbara Jordan (Cal State Northridge). All four will work the selection camp, in addition to Brian Kolze (University of the Pacific) and Lumley.
Candrea will head up the 2007 Selection camp in Sept., assisted by D’Arcy,
Rittman, Brazney, Sanchelli-Johns, Wilson, Jordan and Stacy Iveson (Pima CC).
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 6
February 2006
Coach’s Profile
Smith Has Found What Works at California Baptist
By Christina Edgar
Editor
He’s not afraid of change. But when something
works, it works. California Baptist Head Coach Mike
Smith lives by the mantra, “If it ain’t broke, don’t
fix it,” and obviously, at Cal Baptist, things “ain’t
broke.”
In just two years at Cal Baptist, Smith led the Lancers to their first ever NAIA championship appearance
and then a national championship game. They set a
school record for wins and ERA, and Smith has been
named conference coach of the year twice.
Smith sets goals for every season, as do his players,
but when one looks at the core of his beliefs, it’s easy
to understand where
the success comes
“People ask why from.
we’re doing the
“I think besides
[winning a national
same things, and championship], [my
I say it’s been ideal of success is] for
my team to improve
working for us.” on a daily basis – if
we’re better from day
one of practice to the last day of the season, as long
as we’ve improved, that’s a successful season,” Smith
states.
That sort of understated simplicity is something
that his players appreciate, and it leads into another
area in which Smith feels strongly. He wants his players to be able to relax and just play the game, and in
turn, they do.
“I think my biggest strength
is probably organization – my
players know exactly what’s
going to happen at practice or
on a road trip and that every
thing is going to be taken care
of for them. That carries over
into making it easier for the
players to play. All they have
to do is put on the uniform,
show up and play.
“Sometimes at smaller
schools it’s not like that, but I
want my players to experience
what it’s like to play at the
highest level. Again, ‘if it ain’t
broke don’t fix it.’ You know,
people ask why we’re doing
the same things, and I say it’s
been working for us,” said Smith.
Playing at the highest level is something that Smith
takes very seriously, and it starts with the type of players he recruits at Cal Baptist.
“I look at the Division I style player. I want to get
the best from the top travel teams. I feel I have to go
after the DI kids, because I’m competing against the
DI schools. I’m going after some of the same players as those schools, and a lot of times I lose them.
I know that, but I think if I don’t go after those kids,
I’m settling for second-best. I want to go after the top
players, and a lot of times I get them. That’s the only
In the Press Box With...
Mike Smith
How do you think the game has changed over the years since you have been coaching?
I think that the players all-around are more athletic, and there are more tools that they have as far as
weight-training and personal training. A lot of times there are utility players that can play a lot of different
positions instead of being position-specific. I think there are more players playing the game and so many
more teams. I think the game has changed since I started coaching eight years ago to now; it’s crazy. I
think it has a lot to do with TV coverage and the Olympics; you have the big name players in the media.
In terms of college, five years ago you couldn’t even get the national championship game on TV; now
you get the whole thing. I’d love to see it expand beyond the DI level, down into DII, DIII, NAIA and
beyond. I think technology is another area – technology with the bats and the hitting programs, where
you can break a swing down into miniscule parts.
What are some problems new coaches face today that are different from when you started?
I think probably the self-motivation of players; it’s strange because players are more athletic, sometimes
it’s hard to get those players to take the extra batting practice or to come out early to take extra ground
balls. There is just so much going on, even from the academic side, which is understandable; so much
is expected from them that they have to spend the extra time there, and that’s obviously fine. They’re
student-athletes, not athlete-students, which means they should really focus on their academics. I’ve also
noticed that a lot of players aren’t finishing what they start, meaning that if things aren’t going their way,
they’re apt to just quit instead of sticking things through.
If you knew then what you know now, how would your coaching have been different?
More emphasis on weights and conditioning. Early on in my career, we didn’t focus a lot on that. I’ve
See Press Box, page 24
way you’re going to get better – my goal in recruiting
is to recruit players as good as or better than what I
have in my program.”
Whereas some NAIA schools are not going to
compete for the same players as Division I schools,
Smith knows how to make California Baptist look
more attractive.
“I think some people just really don’t understand
the competitiveness of the NAIA – it’s really strong. A
lot of NAIA schools across the country are getting top
notch DI type players, and that’s a lot of competitiveness. You know, just because we’re private schools
and have a different governing body doesn’t mean we
can’t play.
“Some of these girls are legit DI players, but they
want the small school atmosphere, where they can
get the individualized teaching and family type feeling; where they are not known as just a number but a
person.”
Smith also knows that finding and getting these
types of players takes more than one person. He attributes much of his recruiting success to his assistant
coach, Bill Baber.
“My assistant, who is also the recruiting coordinator, has done a great job. I call him the ‘bulldog scout’
– he’ll find players that I don’t see, and then I’ll get to
follow up on them. He does a great job with all of it,
from getting the letters in to classifying what our needs
are to going out and seeing them for the first time.”
Smith is also very aware of his strengths and the
way that his players view him and his assistants.
“Baber is a real complement to me – I’m more of
the head coach disciplinarian and he’s the compassionate one. He gets all the complaining and then brings
it to me. It’s kind of funny – when I was an assistant
at Riverside, all the kids came to me. After the coach
resigned and I took over the program, no one wanted
to talk to me.”
Baber has coached with Smith for as long as he’s
been in softball, starting with his first fastpitch job at
See Smith, page 24
February 2006
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 7
Question of the Month
It’s Not Linear OR Rotational – It’s Linear AND Rotational
Which hitting style do you
teach your athletes – Linear or
Rotational – and why do you
feel this is the best method?
Physics, thousands of video clips in softball and
baseball will conclude that the greatest hitters use
both...linear and rotational forces in their swings.
Coaches who are teaching just one aspect are outdated and incorrect.
We can stop the controversy about which is used
by looking at the video. The camera doesn’t lie. We
use both!
Sue Enquist
Head Coach
UCLA
I believe that whatever style of hitting that is
taught, it needs to be kept simple and, most importantly, the athlete needs to understand it. Or, as we tell
our players, they need to GET IT. By GETTING IT
we want our athletes to know hitting is a linear move
with rotational forces being applied. We emphasize
rotating on the hip closest to the pitcher. The next series of moves we want our athletes to get is a series
of linear moves all the way to extension. The finish
or follow through will then become a rotational move
that is not significant to actually hitting the ball. If you
really think about it teaching rotational hitting would
mean that an athlete does not have much room for
error if they rotate to and thru contact of the ball. If
linear hitting is taught and the athlete understands that
the hands need to be independent from the rotational
forces, they will remain on plane of the ball longer
and give them a much better chance for success. If
teaching hitting is the role you play for your program,
be sure that you GET IT first, or you will only confuse
your players. You will also have a much tougher time
working them through the hitting slumps they will all
get into sooner or later.
Dan Lazorka
Head Coach
Jersey Shore Area High School (PA)
Williamsport Silver Bullets (PA)
We teach rotational hitting at McNeese State. We
try to be more efficient with our hitters by using their
entire bodies more. This helps increase the power
numbers and in scoring more runs.
Chris Malveaux
Head Coach
McNeese State University
I think that your question and how it is phrased
is why some people are hesitant or confused. It is not
pure linear hitting. If it is taught correctly, it is a linear
start to a rotational finish. I was a baseball guy before
switching over to softball. Coming in I was told that
you had to hit with pure rotation in softball (squish the
bug). The pitcher is so close and you don’t have time,
so I taught it for several years with some good success. It was not wrong. It was what was being taught
at that time. Well, after playing fastpitch and talking
to other coaches, going to clinics and especially after
purchasing the Right View Pro software, I am now
back to teaching hitting with a linear start. We have
seen great improvements in power and consistency. It
is natural to hit that way. If I ever have doubters, I always ask coaches or parents to act like they are hitting
ground balls to their infield. The first thing that happens is their heel goes north and south and their back
hip goes forward. They don’t squish the bug; we have
taught kids to do that and we are finding out that the
linear start is better. It is how you throw, hit, punch,
golf, etc... Just my opinion.
Scott Hall
Head Coach
Pendleton Heights High School (IN)
I have found that a combination of rotary and linear works. Rotary to bat drag, then linear to contact
and rotary from contact to finish. I work with 16-18
year-olds and have studied many of my players using
video software. The two dominant problems I have
seen are staying on the back foot too long and not
tracking the ball to contact.
Darwin Manuel
Head Coach
Brea Patriots (CA)
We use a combination between the two. We initiate the swing with a linear move; once we get to
the ball and near contact we use a rotational move.
We feel this combination gives our athletes the best
opportunity to utilize their power. We feel the linear
move helps them keep the head of the bat in the hitting zone longer, allowing them to stay on the ball
longer which gives the hitter more pop on their hits. It
also helps them hit the ball up the middle. (Sometimes
with purely rotational hitters they have a tendency to
pull the ball or pull away from the outside pitch.)
Julie Weir
Assistant Coach
Ashland University
The answer to the
question of the month
is both. Hitting requires
both linear weight
transfer and rotation.
The debate between
linear and rotational
hitting goes back for
years. Ted Williams
and Charlie Lau debated it 30 years ago,
and it is still discussed
today. I feel that “rotational hitting” is the
buzz phrase of the de-
cade. Since hitting is the most difficult thing to do
in sports in my opinion, I did everything possible to
make myself better at it as a collegiate and semi-pro
player. As I became a coach I wanted to teach the art
of hitting from a factual standpoint, as well as from
one of experience. The only way I found to gain factual information was through the study and analysis
of hitting through hundreds of stop action photos and
video, most of which are major league hitters. I also
have read and continue to read everything I can from
books, articles, magazines, and internet sites about
hitting by some of the greats like Charlie Lau, Ted
Williams, Dave Hudgens, and Mike Epstein. The one
thing I have found in every great hitter after thousands
of hours of studying the subject is simple; it is nearly
impossible to achieve tremendous rotational force
without some type of linear weight transfer. Any stick
and ball game, whether it is serving a tennis ball, driving a golf ball, or hitting a softball requires the weight
to go back and come forward slightly to produce the
momentum for the hips to rotate at maximum speed.
Brian Levin
Hitting Enthusiast
Founder, STARR Hitting Mechanics
My approach to teaching hitting is both linear and
rotational.
The lower half of the body rotates to create energy needed for the hands to have speed to get through
the ball. The legs and hands fire in a linear movement
through the ball to create the proper angle for the hitter to keep the ball fair.
This is the best method for my hitters because the
better they use their legs the easier it is for them to hit
the ball hard. The more they try to rotate, the more
their hips and shoulders become active and they lose
their angle, resulting in pull, pull, pull. This is also a
personal way that I teach because this is what I know
and this what I have learned through the years.
Tim Walton
Head Coach
University of Florida
Please see Mike Epstein’s Instructional article, page 26
Respond to Next
Question of the Month
When your infielders receive a grounder, do you teach them
“soft hands,” “pushing through,” or a combination of the two?
Here is your chance to give input in a very simple manner – we will ask the
question, and you give your response and a short explanation. If you have any
questions you would like to see answered, please feel free to share those ideas.
Responses to this issue’s question will be printed in a future edition.
Respond either by calling Christina Edgar at (662) 320-2155 or
by e-mail at christina@nfca.org.
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 8
February 2006
NAIA Leadoff Classic
Second NAIA LOC Stacked with Powers
By Brock Turnipseed
Director of Media Relations
Twenty-four of the nation’s top NAIA programs converge on LaGrange, Ga.,
and Shuford Fields for the NFCA’s second NAIA Leadoff Classic Mar. 10-11.
Thirteen teams in the field are ranked in the NAIA’s preseason poll, with seven
of the top 10 scheduled to compete in the tournament.
Oklahoma City leads the way at No. 3, while Mobile is fourth and the 2004 No.
1 team, Thomas, is at No. 5. Point Loma Nazarene (No. 7), University of Science &
Arts (No. 8), William Woods (No. 9) and Lee (No. 10) round out the tournament’s
teams rated in the top 10.
Spring Hill, William Penn, St. Gregory’s and Ohio Dominican sit in the top
20 at Nos. 14, 16, 17 and 19, respectively, while Evangel comes in at No. 21 and
Southern Oregon at No. 23.
The teams will compete in pool play beginning Friday. After pool play, teams
will be paired to compete in three single-elimination/consolation brackets Saturday,
March 11.
The teams competing in the tournament include:
Bellevue
The Bruins have a different look for the 2006 season without
Lindsey Bredar, the NAIA career home run leader, and Kelly Jo
Huff, who combined for a .367 average, 25 home runs and 109
RBIs. Ed Lehotak’s squad will rely on Chelsey White in the circle
after she won 21 games and registered a 1.96 ERA in 2005.
Brescia boasts a 2006 squad that does not include much
senior experience. With only four seniors on the roster, the
Bearcats will rely on a contingent of juniors to lead the way.
The squad gets an early chance to gain experience prior to
the LOC with an opening homestand that includes six games
for first-year head coach Walt Estes.
Brevard College
Evangel
Faulkner soars into 2006 following a 2005 campaign in
which the team went 39-18 and advanced to the NAIA regional
tournament for the 11th straight year. Hal Wynn loses first team
all-conference performers Holly Miller and Brittney Barber,
but returns first teamer Katie Branch along with second team selections Heather
Dailey, Jaime Hester and Kimberly Hodge.
Lee
Lee finished the 2005 season with a 40-12 mark, one shy of
the school record. Emily Moore-Russell’s squad returns leading
hitter Kelly Golden, who hit .425 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs,
and JaAndrea Hinton, who drove in 60 runs while hitting .349. The
Lady Flames will be counting on Alyssa Ashley and Charli Duff
to bolster the pitching staff with the loss of 16-game winner Jessica Pike.
Milligan
Brescia
Columbia
Faulkner
Brevard set school records for wins (33), national ranking
(38th) and regional ranking (2nd) in 2005, and 2006 could be
even bigger for the Tornados. Nine players return from that squad
for head coach Kelly Jones, including all-conference performer
Jenelle Trifon and honorable mention players C.J. Jascur, Stef
Giannetti, Jenny Rollier and Rose Johnson.
Fresh off a run to the national tournament and a final No. 10
ranking in 2005, Wendy Spratt’s Columbia squad returns its top five
hitters, who will help ease the transition for an inexperienced pitching staff. Lindsey Williams returns after hitting .359 with 31 RBIs
and 37 stolen bases. The Cougars also bring back leading home run
hitter Sarah Moreau and top RBI producer Ashley Perrigo.
Jerry Breaux’s Evangel squad heads to LaGrange looking to continue the momentum from a 2005 campaign that
saw them the team finish with a 44-17 record, a sixth Heat of
America Athletic Conference title and No. 22 national ranking after being ranked No. 12, the program’s highest. Kaylee
Nelson and Jennifer Woods have to help ease the loss of all-American Jami Potter,
who also has to be replaced in the circle along with Wendy Niebuhr.
Wes Holly should be looking for big things from his Milligan squad in 2006, if it can overcome the youthful inexperience of having just one senior and three juniors on the roster.
Sophomore Jennifer Wise will be called on to step up in the
circle with the loss of all-conference hurler Brandy Waddle.
Mobile
Mobile, who tied with Thomas for third after also being
eliminated by California Baptist, finished the 2005 campaign
ranked third nationally with a 43-8 record. Vincent Dima comes
to Mobile from Thomas and has a pair of all-Americans leading
the way. Mayret Perez led the team in 2005 with a .466 average that included a team-best 15 home runs and 62 RBIs. She’s joined by fellow
all-Americans Evelyn Pare, a .381 hitter, and Linden Jones, who won 15 games
with a 0.93 ERA.
Ohio Dominican
Marcella Vanlandingham heads into her 10th season at the
school, following a 2005 campaign that saw the Panthers win
a school-record 45 games and a fifth straight conference title.
Vanlandingham’s squad will be keyed by all-Americans Tabitha
Furlong and Jessica Jurkovic. Furlong hit .436 last year and was
the regional player of the year, while Jurkovic earned pitcher of the year accolades
for the division after winning a school-record 20 games.
Oklahoma City
Phil McSpadden’s squad could very well be back in the
hunt in 2006 with Jill Vaughn and Cat Calvert back swinging
the sticks. Vaughn hit .372 as a junior last season, driving
12 home runs and delivering 48 RBIs. Calvert led the NAIA
with 90 hits in 2005 while adding 14 home runs and a teamleading 66 RBIs. Jordan Schwenke looks to build off a 12-win 2005 season with
See NAIA Leadoff Classic, next page
February 2006
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 9
NAIA Leadoff Classic
Continued from previous page
the loss of 21-game winner Melissa Rhodes.
Oklahoma Christian
Oklahoma Christian finished the 2005 season 25-28, but
made a strong run late in the season to the Sooner Athletic
Conference Tournament championship. NAIA second-team
all-American Lindsey Lawson returns for the Eagles as a dual
threat. She hit .387, scored 23 runs, and tallied 14 doubles and six home runs while
ranking second in the conference with 50 RBIs. As a freshman pitcher, she went
14-10 with 78 strikeouts.
Olivet Nazarene
Ritchie Richardson’s Tigers appear ready to build on
2005’s 40-25 mark that included a 15-3 record in conference
action. Richardson returns a wealth of talent, including the
top four hitters from a year ago. Lisa Bergmann led the team
with a .403 average, while Liz Pasch hit .376 and led the squad
with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs. Lauren Chessum anchors the
pitching staff after finishing 2005 with 31 games and a 1.70 ERA.
Point Loma Nazarene
Dave Williams’s Sea Lions have a potent one-two punch
in the circle with KC Robertson and Katie McColeman, who
combined to win 41 games. He also returns .346 hitter Amy
Nanson, who hit 10 home runs and drove in 48 runs, and .359
batter Ruth Atkins (17 doubles and 43 RBIs). Amanda Addie
returns to patrol the outfield after hitting .376 with 54 runs scored and 43 stolen
bases in the leadoff spot.
Trevecca Nazarene
The Trojans look to repeat as TranSouth Conference champion, and to do so, Trevecca Nazarene will rely on some key
components returning for the 2006 season. Ernie Reynolds loses
top hitter Lindsey Howard and Brandy Miller, but leading home
run hitter Ashley McCool is back along with .379 batter Evyn
Terry. With the loss of 29-game winner Hollie Shane, the pitching staff will need retooling behind Jennifer Perkins and Jessica
Leary, who combined to win seven games last season.
University of Sciences & Arts of Oklahoma
USAO finished 2005 at the national tournament, where Mobile ended its season with a 46-17 mark. Under new head coach
Taralee Pringle, the Drovers have an anchor to center around in
Dana Askins. Askins leads the team at the plate and in the circle,
as she won 29 games with a 0.72 ERA while hitting .399 with 19
doubles and 34 RBIs. Morgan Skelley and Nikki Aguilar rejoin
the lineup after combining for 10 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2005.
University of Virginia at Wise
UVA Wise is looking to have an outstanding 2006 with
several key players back in the lineup from 2005’s promising run. Despite losing leading hitter Kendall Rainey, top
power hitter Shelley Newton returns after batting .320 with
four home runs and a team-best 40 RBIs. Dani Benton will contribute at the plate
once again, while also leading the charges in the circle following a 2005 season in
which she won 18 games and posted a 1.57 ERA.
William Penn
Southern Oregon
Larry Binney returns 10 players from last year’s squad that
finished 39-19 and earned a No. 24 final ranking after finishing second in the region. The Raiders return Leann Foster and
Megan Rock to the lineup, along with school single-season
home run record holder Tanisha Burch. Southern Oregon will
have to replace all-America shortstop Kara Ray (.372, 32 stolen bases) and Cascade
Conference Pitcher of the Year Miranda Gillaspie (23-7, 1.57 ERA).
William Penn enjoyed arguably the best season in school history as the squad broke the school record for wins for the fourth
year in a row with a 51-22 mark. The biggest accomplishment
came when the Lady Statesmen won the regional tournament to
earn the school’s first national tournament berth. Mike Christner
has talent at the plate returning with .367 hitter Alisa Mann back, but the biggest
challenge will come in replacing Steph Christner, who not only led the team with
11 home runs and 51 RBIs, but also won 28 games in the circle.
Spring Hill
William Woods
Spring Hill fell just shy of a trip to the NAIA national
tournament, and behind a potent offense led by Kristen Jennings, the Badgers are out to get over the hump and venture
to the national tournament. Jennings hit a team-best .344 last
season with six home runs while tying for the team lead with
38 RBIs. Head coach Allison Sellers-Cook has to replace a 19-game winner in the
circle with two pitchers who combined for 13 appearances in 2005.
St. Gregory’s
After finishing 34-21 last season, the Lady Cavs are looking for a big 2006
season under head coach Heather Shanahan. Junior catcher
Christina Carden provides a solid bat in the lineup along
with players like Brittany Dojcak, Laura Mehl and Sheena
Harrison. That offensive capability compliments a pitching staff that has Sharon
Bell and talented freshman Heather Leading Fox.
Thomas
Thomas faces the challenge under new head coach
Tania Black of replacing the top three hitters off last year’s
club, including two-time all-American Yuruby Alicart who
transferred to Florida State. With her loss, Thomas loses
the 2005 NAIA batting leader (.506) who belted 27 home
runs and drove in 75 runs. Jackie Bates will have to take up the load as the pitching
staff has to be rebuilt. Bates hit .375 and was second on the team with 16 home
runs and 52 RBIs.
Tracy Gastineau’s William Woods squad nearly breached
the top 10 last season, finishing 13th nationally with a Region
V championship squad that earned a spot in the national tournament. The Owls have a solid mix of veteran leadership and new
talent with four seniors on the roster to accompany six juniors.
Nicole Devenport leads in the circle after earning all-conference
honorable mention honors for her 24-win 2005 campaign. Ashley Windmiller leads
at the plate after leading the team in most offensive categories including home runs,
where she finished second in the nation in 2005 with 15 round-trippers.
FASTPITCH DELIVERY
2006 SEASON PREVIEW SUPPLEMENT
NCAA Division I Preview
Michigan Looks to Repeat But Will Have Several Challengers
By Brock Turnipseed
Director of Media Relations
Last season’s Women’s College World Series could
arguably be considered one of the best in the series’ history. The championship series battle between Michigan
and UCLA that went the full three games drew some of
the series’ highest television ratings, and that rematch
could become a possibility as both teams rank first and
second, respectively in the preseason.
The Wolverines start the season with the No. 1
ranking. All of the other teams will be looking to knock
off the defending champs, but Wolverine head coach
Carol Hutchins doesn’t consider her squad as defending
a national championship.
“We’re not defending anything,” she said. “We are
going for this year’s title. We are trying to achieve the
same goal as all of the other teams. We cannot carry
anything from last season over to this season. Last
year’s title could be somewhat of an obstacle for us.”
Hutchins says that one of the key factors with last
year’s team was its ability to stay focused, and she says
this year’s team has come in with that same focus.
One of the reasons for that focus is having a veteran
ball club that knows the rigors of making a run to the
national title. With several key veterans returning for
the Wolverines, Hutchins uses one word to describe
her team: balanced.
Michigan’s Jennie Ritter returns to the circle for the
Wolverines after an all-American and WCWS all-tournament
campaign in 2005.
“I think we’re very balanced again. Our pitching
staff has proven that it can compete at this level. You
never know what’s going to happen from year to year,
though, because kids can have a down year,” Hutchins
said. ‘We have a great team atmosphere though. This
team really cares about each other and likes to play
together.”
NFCA All-American Jennie Ritter leads the pitching staff into the season. Ritter enjoyed a stellar 2005
campaign, compiling a 38-4 record with a 0.92 ERA.
She struck out 417 and walked 43, as she earned
WCWS all-tournament honors for her efforts in helping
lead the Wolverines to the title.
Lorilyn Wilson returns to add a valuable No. 2
option behind Ritter. As a sophomore a year ago,
Wilson went 22-2 and picked up a pair of saves with
a 1.05 ERA.
UM’s arms don’t usually have to worry about run
production with an offense returning numerous key
bats that helped the Wolverines hit .316 and score 419
runs.
With the loss of leading hitter Jessica Merchant,
sophomore Samantha Findlay, last season’s WCWS
Most Outstanding Player after her game-winning home
run in the third and final championship game, returns
to lead the charge. Findlay hit .361 a year ago and led
the team with 77 RBIs while tying for the team high
in home runs with 21.
Tiffany Haas will also be back in the lineup after
hitting a team third-best .360 last season with nine
home runs and 35 RBIs. She brings the speed back
to the base paths as she was 12-of-14 in stolen bases
a year ago, helping her to a team second-best 64 runs
scored.
Returning .329 batter Alessandra Giampaolo and
.313 hitter Grace Leutele, the Wolverines are prepared
to challenge for the 2006 national title, but last year’s
runner-up has intentions of returning to the top.
Last season the Wolverines thwarted the Bruins’
bid for a third straight national title, and the Bruins
have a stellar cast aiming to hoist the trophy again in
2006. Although the two would like to square off again
in Oklahoma City, they will first meet Mar. 15 on the
Bruins’ home turf.
Pac-10 coaches unanimously tabbed the Bruins as
the choice to win the Pac-10 crown. That is a legitimate possibility with a 2006 contingent that lost only
bullpen catcher Nicole Sandberg from last season and
returns a senior class who stepped up to lead the team
as juniors.
Senior Caitlin Benyi leads the talented senior class,
but the biggest impact could come from sophomore
hurler Anjelica Selden.
“The 2005 season challenge was asking a junior
class to lead like seniors,” UCLA head coach Sue
Enquist, who will join Hutchins in the NFCA Hall of
Fame in December, said. “In a perfect world, players
are asked to do that in the fourth year, but they were
in a class where there were no seniors and knew that
there were high expectations in 2005. Once they started
getting comfortable in that position, they started to play
team softball and played to the end.”
Selden was stellar as a rookie last season as she
compiled a 29-14 record and a 1.10 ERA. She had
a strong World Series, throwing every pitch for the
Bruins in the tournament and registering double figure
strikeouts in five of the first six games. The Vacaville,
Calif., native struck out 10 or more in 28 of her 50
outings in 2005, shattering the school’s single-season
strikeout record with 485.
“From day one I told her that I felt it was emotionally sloppy to come in and use your freshman year to
get comfortable. I hate the mindset that as a freshman
you come in and find your way,” Enquist said. “For
us, we ask our players to be emotionally disciplined.
The team changes, the environment changes and the
expectations change, but as an individual, if you go out
and are loyal to the belief that the game is the same,
you can have success — and she did that.
“The challenge for Anjelica is don’t let history, in
this case her freshman year, be a burden. Let it be a
foundation of confidence that you are not only capable,
but your abilities enable this team to do great things,”
she continued.
Looking to provide run support for Selden, Benyi
leads a Bruin offensive attack that returns all-WCWS
selections Krista Colburn, Jodie Legaspi and Emily
Zaplatosch.
Benyi led the squad at the plate last season, hitting
.333 with a team-best 14 home runs. She enters the
2006 season looking to build on a stellar final month
of the 2005 campaign in which she hit .447 with 17
runs scored, eight home runs and 17 RBIs.
Another of the Bruins’ hitters looking to build on
a solid final stretch of the season is Zaplatosch. The
Scottsdale, Ariz., native’s bat caught fire in Oklahoma
City as she led UCLA at the plate with a pair of doubles
and three RBIs. She and .317 hitter Andrea Duran bring
a pop to the lineup along with Legaspi, who hit .302
last season with a team second-best nine home runs
and 36 RBIs.
With the Bruins being picked by conference
coaches to win the Pac-10 title, Arizona wants to make
a statement and return to Oklahoma City.
Mike Candrea’s squad heads into 2006 in full force,
See Division I, page 19
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Fastpitch Delivery
Page 12
February 2006
Division II Preview
Division II Is a Guessing Game After Losing Powers
By Brock Turnipseed
Director of Media Relations
When all is said and done in Division II, who
will hoist the national title in 2006 really could be a
guessing game.
Defending national champion Lynn returns NFCA
first-team all-American Christina Rolla, who led the
Sunshine State Conference with a .433 average, 73
RBIs and 25 home runs. The Fighting Knights, under
first-year head coach Cherene Hiesl, also return conference freshman of the year Danielle Curcio, but they
have the tough task of replacing all-American pitcher
Aimee Murch (39 wins and 0.45 ERA).
With the questions marks surrounding the defending champs, and Division II powers Kennesaw State
and North Florida making the jump to the Division I
level, the doors are open for several teams to make a
push for the title.
Based on experience, one would look to the West
coast and Humboldt State. The Lumberjacks finished
the season in Salem behind a 60-6 campaign, and
Frank Cheek’s 2006 contingent has a solid group
coming back.
“We have a really good group back,” Cheek said.
“We have two good pitchers returning that provide
a solid onetwo punch.
Don’t ask me
who’s No. 1
a n d w h o ’s
No. 2. Tracy
Motzny really
does a good
job of hitting her spots
since she’s not
o v e r p o w e ring, and Lizzy
Prescott has
really thrown
well so far.”
A thirdteam allAmerican,
Humboldt State’s Tracy Motzny returns Motzny won
from a 2005 season in which she earned 30 games in
third-team all-American honors.
2005 with a
0.99 ERA, while Prescott put up a 1.10 earned-run
average and school third-best single season mark for
strikeouts as a freshman.
Although Cheek’s squad lost all-region performer
Meribeth Wareham behind the plate, they don’t lose
that offensive punch as .318 hitter Jessica Padilla dons
the gear from the designated hitter’s spot. They also
return co-captain Brandi Harrison who led the team
with a .372 average, while .364 hitter Nancy Harbeson
and Megan Sutherland provide an offensive punch and
anchor the outfield.
Right on Humboldt’s heels in the West Region will
be San Francisco State, another team that finished in the
final eight a year ago. Kristi Lansford’s squad returns
basically its entire squad from 2005, including leading
hitter and pitcher Sonja Garnett.
“San Francisco State has a very good team coming
back,” Cheek said. “They have very good pitching, like
all of the teams in the West Region.”
Garnett won 30 games during last season’s run to
the national tournament and compiled a 0.67 ERA.
She paced the team at the plate with a .333 average
that included seven RBIs.
In addition to Vanessa Rodrigue, the Gators bring
back leading home run hitter and RBI producer Jordanna Freemer. Freemer also brings speed on the bases
as she was successful on 20-of-24 stolen base attempts
in 2005, while Nicole Hartfield stole 29.
Humboldt State and San Francisco State could
very well contend for the title again this season, but
preseason No. 2 Angelo State looks to return to the
national tournament after winning the championship
in 2004. Travis Scott’s squad returns with basically
everyone in tact from last year’s squad that advanced
to the postseason and finished with a 46-16 mark.
“I really like this team,” Scott said. “We have a
good balance of speed and power. Our sophomore
and freshman classes, we feel, are good, and with two
newcomers at pitcher, we now have four pitchers that
we can throw. We can stay healthy and fresh.”
The added depth in the circle will benefit all-region
performer Brittney Cargill, who surpassed the 20-win
mark last season while hitting .321 at the plate.
Dionne Lopez also returns to the plate after pacing
the squad in average in 2005. Lopez finished second
on the team in RBIs behind another returnee, Christel
Neal. In addition to her team-leading RBI total, Neal
set a school record for home runs in a season with 16
while hitting over .330.
One of the challenges facing the Rambelles again
this season is competing in a tough South Central
Region that includes teams like St. Mary’s, Central
Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma State.
“The teams in our region beat up on each other,”
Scott said. “The quality of talent makes a tough battle
something you come to expect.”
St. Mary’s is one of those teams that will be in the
mix again in the region. Donna Fields’s squad loses
all-Americans Liz Beyer and Veronica Garcia, but does
have a couple of all-Americans returning in .401 hitter
Tiffani Craft and 24-game winner Malissa Magee.
Much like Angelo State, another team looking to
get back to the national tournament in 2006 is Shippensburg in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The road back
to Salem will be tough this season for Bob Brookens’
squad as he loses seven starters who earned three AllAmerica awards, five all-conference honors and the
Division II batting champion.
Despite that loss of offense that helped take the
Lady Raiders to 162 wins and two NCAA regional
championships, Brookens has a solid defense returning
behind hurlers Kelley Tiesi and Danielle Shields.
“We consider our pitching staff one of the best in
the country,” Brookens said. “Kelley (Tiesi) has pitched
well for three years, and we fully expect her to be the
anchor of this team. She’s fully healthy from the inju-
ries she had last year. Danielle (Shields) really stepped
up for us last season when Kelley went down.”
Tiesi returns with 10 school records to her credit.
She earned all-America honors for the third time after
posting a 23-1 record in 2005, a year removed from
a 30-3 campaign that earned her NCAA Division II
Player of the Year honors. Shields looks to build off a
solid rookie campaign that saw her go 14-3 with a 1.55
ERA in 26 appearances and earn the PSAC’s Eastern
Division Rookie of the Year award.
Although Shippensburg will be gunning for a return to the national tournament, Bloomsburg will be
aiming for a second straight trip to Salem. The road
will be challenging for Jan Hutchinson’s squad as the
Huskies lose several key players from last year’s squad,
including a pair of all-region pitchers.
Hutchinson will rely on several key transfers for
the 2006 season, with the most returning experience
at the plate coming from Alyson Taylor, who injured
her knee in the NCAA tournament, and all-conference
second baseman Kelly Zarski.
Like the Mid-Atlantic Region, the South should be
a battle as well with several key players returning for
both Florida Southern and Alabama-Huntsville.
UAH, ranked fourth in the preseason poll, returns
arguably one of the top hitters in Division II a year ago
in Stephanie Pinto (.413). Last season Pinto claimed
new school and Gulf South Conference records for
home runs with 23.
The experience comes from Kristin Spencer, a
.390 hitter who set school and conference records for
doubles (29), and Kellie Corder who enjoyed her best
offensive year in 2005. Corder hit .309 and helped the
team with eight home runs, four triples and 41 RBIs.
All of that returning offensive power will help keep
the Chargers in contention while the pitching staff gains
more experience from the loss of all-region tournament
performer Lindsey Skinner.
“Pitching will be our weak spot this year. Last
season we scored runs off of very good pitchers, but we
couldn’t score enough runs to win the games. We have
the potential to be good, but it’s too early to tell.”
UAH returns Jenny Hess, who won 15 games and
also hit over .300, and 14-game winner Jenni Smithson, but the big difference in the circle could be from
newcomer Sage Woodham of Daphne, Ala.
The Chargers will have to contend with a Florida
Southern squad that brings back solid pitching and
nine starters.
The solid pitching ceoms from Stacy Bronson and
Megan Brown, who combined to win 91 games over the
past two seasons. Bronson went 15-4 with a 0.95 ERA
in 2005, and Brown, a 2004 first-team all-American,
won 24 games a year ago with a 0.92 ERA to give her
60 victories through her first two collegiate seasons.
With arguably one of the nation’s top pitching
staffs, the offense can hold its own as well with several
key players returning. Leading the charge is shortstop
Jesse Shepherd who hit .423 with 25 stolen bases. In
addition to offense, she also anchors the defense after
committing just five errors in 50 games. Sarah KohlSee Division II, page 16
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Page 13
Division III Preview
Division III Should Be An Intense Fight for the Title
second-team all-American honors. Lister ranked second in the nation in wins, with 32 and was in the top
Editor
15 nationally in strikeouts as well, with 295. Also,
It’s hard not to look at the final Division III Top 25 Kirsten Wells looks to build on a solid freshman season
poll without noticing something about parity across the in which she picked up 12 wins.
nation. When one breaks down the top 25 final teams
At the plate, even though second-team all-Ameriby region, it becomes even clearer. With the excep- can Leslie White graduated, The Sea Gulls return their
tion of the East region, which had four, and the Great top hitter in senior Erin Ruest. Ruest led the team with
Lakes region, which had two, every other region placed a .395 average and was tops in hits, doubles, home
exactly three teams in the final top 25.
runs and RBIs.
John Tschida, head coach at reigning back-to-back
Knight knows getting out of the Atlantic region
national title winners St. Thomas, explains it like this, as an independent is going to be tough again, “Every“Division III softball is great because of the parity body’s working hard, not necessarily to beat us, but to
caused by not having scholarships. There are plenty get their chance at making a regional. So it’s not about
of teams capable of winning the national title, and you beating Salisbury, it’s about winning every game posdon’t see the same dominant four in the championship sible, just like it is for us.”
finals every year.”
Salisbury will be challenged by several teams
It’s a great thing for Division III, and it’s an even in the strong Atlantic region, including a Louisiana
better thing for softball. At the beginning of every sea- College team that continues to improve yearly. LC
son, nearly every team can take a look at itself and real- came within a game of the final eight last year, falling
ize that with a good level of talent, it has a legitimate to West power Chapman in the final of the Redlands
shot at a national title. The 2006 season should be no Regional. LC will remain strong on the rubber with
different, as teams from every region take stock of not sophomore Sandi Clark returning after a year in which
only what they lost, but more importantly, what they she recorded a 0.75 ERA and 19 wins. Clark was also
have, and begin to prepare for the road that hopefully a top hitter for the Wildcats, leading the team in hits,
ends in Raleigh at the national championship.
doubles and RBIs.
Atlantic
Some other strong contenders that look to build
Perennial Atlantic Region power Salisbury looks on promising 2005 seasons include Roanoke, who will
to have a strong year again after finishing runner-up start the 2006 campaign under new head coach Mike
to St. Thomas in the national championship. Salisbury Walthall; undefeated Skyline Conference champion
will try to continue its streak of nine straight conference Manhattanville; and Ferrum, who returns sophomore
titles and four straight final eight appearances for head Mary Greenway, the national leader in stolen bases and
coach Margie Knight.
adidas Fleetfoot award winner. Emory and Methodist
Knight was impressed with her team’s off-season will try to rebound from late season disappointment afcommitment, “Because of finishing second last year, ter being ranked as high as 10th and 11th, respectively,
the commitment that our kids made out of season is in the nation last year.
the best we’ve ever seen. Our kids are more fit than Central
they’ve been in the past, and they are further along
The Central region looks to build upon a strong
than they’ve ever been at this time.”
showing in 2005 in which it was the only region
In the circle, senior Lacey Lister will look to with two representatives in the final eight. Alma and
improve on a 2005 campaign in which she received Muskingum would like to improve upon their showing
at the national tournament;
both exited after their first two
games. Donna Newberry feels
strongly about her team’s
prospects, “I feel that we have
all the pieces in place to make
a strong run. We have a couple
of freshmen, including a very
good pitcher, who should
make an immediate impact.
Our primary loss was our DH.
If we can replace her bat, I feel
confident that we can make a
strong run toward post-season
play. Our seniors have been to
the national championships
for three consecutive years,
and they are very determined
to get back there again. “
St. Thomas’s Janet Nagle returns to the rubber for the Tommies after leading them to
That DH was firstback-to-back national championships. St. Thomas will have to find a way to replace two team all-American Nicole
all-Americans up the middle if they have a chance at a three-peat.
Blubaugh, who was in the
By Christina Edgar
top five nationally in home runs and was the statistical
team-leader in most offensive categories. The Muskies
have several candidates, including two juniors who
garnered all-American awards in 2005. Utility player
Amy Iammarino will look to build upon a team-leading
batting average (.463) and number of hits (63), while
second baseman Kim Tackett looks to improve upon
an already solid .410 average.
Erica Hoyt, the leading hurler for the Muskies,
returns in 2006 for her senior season. Hoyt led the nation in victories with 37, brought on by her 1.19 ERA
and 204 strikeouts.
Alma will try to keep alive its streak of nine straight
Michigan Intercollegiate Conference championships
and make its 12th regional appearance in 13 years. The
Scots return the bulk of their lineup in 2006 and will
be led by a strong group of seniors. Leigh Ann LaFave
and Melissa Tavidian will continue to share the pitching duties after both posting 15 wins last year. LaFave
was among the top ten nationally in ERA with a 0.60,
while Tavidian posted a strong 1.48.
Designated player Laura Bell returns as well after
batting .323 with four home runs and will be supported
by first baseman Megan Colligan, who will attempt to
improve upon her .319 average with a team-leading
five home runs and 33 RBIs.
Other Central contenders include back-to-back
North Coast Conference champions Allegheny; Thomas More, which returns all three starting pitchers to a
squad that made its first NCAA regional appearance
in 2005; and Mount Union, a team that finished 2005
ranked twenty-first in the nation.
One team looking to build upon a strong 2005
season is St. Scholastica, who despite winning its
seventh straight Upper Midwest Conference title, did
not receive an at-large bid in their first season as a
Division III member. All nine starters return to a team
that finished the season 34-7, including Laura Heise,
who batted .518 and finished in the top five in the nation with a 0.48 ERA.
East
The East region has several teams that have the
talent to contend for regional spots as well as earn
final eight berths, as evidenced by the eight teams that
represented the region in last year’s NCAA tournament.
William Paterson represented the East in the 2005 final
eight and would like to build upon that appearance with
another showing.
The Pioneers biggest loss was first-team all-American utility player Liz Sisca, who led the team in batting
average, runs, home runs and RBIs. Senior catcher
Mindy Coxe is one of the hitters the Pioneers will rely
on to fill those shoes after batting .329 in 2005.
Head coach Hallie Cohen returns both of her top
pitchers in senior Jenn Scott and sophomore Diane
Schraer, who had 17 wins each. Schraer ranked 11th
nationally in ERA with a 0.65.
Another strong challenger in the East will be
Rutgers-Camden, who had a disappointing finish to
a strong 2005 season, losing in the final of the East
regional for the second straight year.
Back for her senior year is first-team all-American
See Division III Preview, page 20
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 14
February 2006
NAIA Preview
Race to the Finish Could Include Many in NAIA
By Brock Turnipseed
Director of Media Relations
The race to Alabama and the NAIA national title is
preparing to heat up again in 2006. Last season Simon
Fraser and California Baptist battled for the championship, and in the end Mike Renney’s Simon Fraser squad
hoisted the trophy once again.
A shift could be taking place in 2006, however, as
both squads lose key players from last year’s run to
the championship game. That opens the door for teams
like Mobile and Houston Baptist, who could use a solid
returning nucleus to make that push to the title.
With nine starters and all three pitchers back
from last season’s 51-5 squad that finished in the top
five nationally, the table is set for a trip to the top for
Houston Baptist.
“We had a great run last year,” head coach MaryEllen Hall said. “However, our players are working
on getting better and not looking ahead. Our region
is so competitive that you can’t look past any single
team.”
Hall’s squad is anchored by .362 hitter Kristine
Godfrey, but the Huskies also return leading power
hitter Katelyn Griffin, who hit .356 with 14 home runs
and 47 RBIs. Morgan Anderson also provides a powerful stick after hitting .355 with 13 home runs and a
team-best 55 RBIs.
With the entire offense back from a team that outscored opponents 327-83, the pitching staff will once
again benefit. Leading the staff is first-team all-American Rachel Werner, who went 24-2 last season with a
0.79 ERA. The return of Cheri Wood and Laura Hess,
who combined for a 27-3 record, gives the Huskies a
deep staff that can help push to the title.
“Laura is completely healthy after being injured
most of last year,” Hall said. “This will be the most
versatile team and the most depth we have had at
each position. Our focus early is going to be working
together as a team and seeing how far that takes us.”
They won’t be pushing for that title alone, as Mobile returns with a pair of all-Americans looking to win
the title with a first-year coach who is no stranger to
the national championship scene.
Vincent Dima takes over at Mobile after long-time
coach Becky Clark took the head coaching job across
town at South Alabama. Dima made the move from
third-place finisher in 2005 with Thomas to another
third-place finisher in Mobile.
“Most of the players know me from my coaching
at Thomas, so they are familiar with my style,” Dima
said. “I think, for the most part, the team has made an
easy transition to having me as the coach. This program
has always been very strong, and we intend to keep it
that way. Our biggest strength will be our offense and
I will be looking to improve our defense with some
young players in key positions.”
Mayret Perez played a major role in guiding the
Rams deep into the tournament last season as the firstteam all-American hit .466 and led the team with 15
home runs and 62 RBIs. Evelyn Pare will help add to
the offensive production as she hopes to build on a .381
average in 2005 that included 13 RBIs. While Perez
provides the power, Pare, a second-team all-American,
offers the speed as she successfully swiped 38 bases.
While all-Americans Pare and Perez key the offense, another all-American anchors the pitching staff
for Dima’s squad. Linden Jones won 15 games last
season and returns for 2006 after finishing with a 0.93
ERA. Ann Marie Odum provides depth in the circle
after winning 13 games and helping limit opposing
hitters to a .191 team average.
Dima’s former squad, Thomas, faces a tough challenge in 2006 under new head coach Tania Black. The
Nighthawks lose the top three hitters off last year’s
club, including two-time all-American Yuruby Alicart
who transferred to Florida State. With her loss, Thomas
loses the 2005 NAIA batting leader (.506) who belted
27 home runs and drove in 75 runs.
Jackie Bates will have to take up the load, as in
addition to losing the top three hitters, the pitching staff
has to be rebuilt. Bates has a powerful bat, as she hit
.375 and was second on the team with 16 home runs
and 52 RBIs.
California Baptist has to replace a number of key
players from last year’s squad that finished as the national runner-up. With 10 new players on the roster,
head coach Mike Smith feels that he could contend for
the title again with solid pitching and hitting.
“I think pitching and hitting could be our strengths
this season,” Smith said. “We are really going to have to
work on defense with 10 new players. We have to find
people and put them in the right positions. It’s going to
be a matter of getting everyone enough reps.”
One of the big concerns was getting some depth in
the circle to aid Candice Thomas. Last season Thomas
made 42 appearances in 55 games and put up a 33-2
record with a 0.42 ERA and 177 strikeouts. Smith believes he’s found that depth for 2005’s top team in ERA
with four-time Central Valley League MVP Lisa Herbertson, Utah State transfer Lindsay Jansen and two-time
junior college all-American Sarah Sherman.
The arms will be needed to help immediately, as
only Tami Trujillo returns to anchor an offense that lost
last season’s top two hitters. Trujillo hit .403 in 2005,
tied for the team lead with eight home runs and 30
RBIs. She’ll get help from Keely Johnson and Rachel
Meyers, a pair of standouts from Bakersfield College,
and Kelly Maconachy, from 2005 Cal JC state champion Mt. San Antonio College.
Smith knows that depth will be key with a tough
region that could send any of four teams to the national
title.
“Teams in our region like Point Loma Nazarene,
Concordia and Azusa Pacific are very good year in
and year out,” Smith said. “You never know who’s
going to get the recruits, and it’s hard to get a proper
perspective of those teams.”
The proper perspective on Point Loma Nazarene is
that they will have a very good chance of making the
national tournament for a sixth straight year.
Dave Williams’s Sea Lions have a potent one-two
punch in the circle with KC Robertson and Katie McColeman, who combined to win 41 games.
That stellar pitching staff means that Point Loma
won’t have to light up the scoreboard to win, but that
could happen with .346 hitter Amy Nanson and .359
batter Ruth Atkins back. Nanson left the park 10 times
last season and drove in 48 runs, and Atkins laced 17
doubles while driving in 43 runs herself.
Amanda Addie returns to patrol the outfield after
hitting .376 with 54 runs scored and 43 stolen bases in
the leadoff spot. Combine those numbers with Mackenzie Gerke (.314, 37 runs and 23 stolen bases), and
Point Loma places themselves in the thick of the hunt
for the title.
With all of the talented teams in the west and the
south, don’t count out the midwest with not only Houston Baptist, but Oklahoma City University.
No stranger to the NAIA national title hunt, Phil
McSpadden’s OCU squad could very well be back in
the hunt in 2006 with Jill Vaughn and Cat Calvert back
swinging the sticks.
Vaughn hit .372 as a junior last season, driving 12
home runs and delivering 48 RBIs. Calvert anchors
the defense behind the plate, and the Diamond Sports
NAIA Catcher of the Year led NAIA with 90 hits in
2005. Calvert, the team leader with a .423 average,
added 14 home runs and drove in a team-leading 66
runs.
Jordan Schwenke returns to bolster the pitching
staff and looks to build off a 12-win 2005 season with
the loss of 21-game winner Melissa Rhodes. McSpadden hopes Dasha Shembereva, a Moscow, Russia,
native, can step in and add an immediate punch in the
circle with her ability to work the strike zone.
Candice Thomas returns for California Baptist after helping
lead the Lancers to a runner-up finish in 2005. CBU looks
to bring home the title this year with 10 newcomers.
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Page 15
NJCAA Division I Preview
Central Arizona Will Try to Make it Three-in-a-Row
By Mike Jarrell
Nicholson said. “We are definitely more athletic, but
we have a little less power, so we may at times play a
Director of Web Operations
style of softball that we’re not very accustomed to.”
After winning their second consecutive NJCAA
The road back to the championship won’t be
Division I title in 2005, Central Arizona College, led an easy one for Nicholson’s squad, whose Region 1
by 11-year head coach Craig Nicholson, is among the schedule, which includes games against perennial nateams slated to finish at the top of the region yet again tional title contenders Phoenix and Pima Community
this season.
Colleges, ensures that they’ll face tough competition
The Vaqueras return just six players from last throughout the 2006 season.
year’s squad that won nine consecutive contests durAnother Division I squad likely to advance deep
ing the post-season in route to claiming the 2005 into the post-season this year is Indian River Comchampionships.
munity College (Fla.). The Lady Pioneers, who came
Those players not returning include standout just a few outs shy of claiming last year’s crown, have
Tabitha Wallace, who was named last year’s MVP managed to field a solid 2006 squad, despite losing key
of the NJCAA Division I National Tournament, and position players to graduation.
infielder Bridgette McNulty who led the Vaqueras’
“This year’s freshman class may be the deepest
top-ranked defense.
and most talented we’ve had in a number of years,”
“This squad is a little different than last year’s,” Indian River head coach Dale Atkinson said. “There
were games this fall when we started all nine of
them.”
Despite having a strong freshman class, Atkinson still faces the challenge of finding someone
to fill the roles of Jessica Mendenhall, Melanie
Denischuck and Rachel Homan – the on and offthe-field leaders of last season’s squad.
“I’m optimistic about our chances this season,” Atkinson said. “I believe we are going to
be good in the beginning and much better by
the region tournament. As strong as our region
is (Region 8), there’s no question that we have
to play our best at the end of the year. Overall, I
Indian River Community College has a strong freshman class and like our chances.”
Another Region 8 team that will be vying for
could make a run for a national title.
top spot in Division I this year is Manatee Community
College (Fla.).
After a top-five finish at last year’s national tournament, the Lancers are slated to be a top contender,
despite returning only five players to the 2006 roster.
“I think this year’s squad could be better than last
year’s,” head Coach Jeff Roberts said. “Playing in
one of the top regions in the country means we’ll see
about 10 teams during the season that could make it
to the dance.”
Manatee is likely to be one of the youngest teams
in Region 8 this season. After losing two pitchers in
the off-season, the Lancers’ infield will consist almost
entirely of freshmen.
Roberts has since signed two key newcomers,
however, which he believes will give his squad more
than enough confidence to play like upperclassmen.
“We were able to sign Kristina Ely and Alexandra
Acosta during the off-season,” Roberts said. “Both of
whom won the (NCAA Division II) national championship with Lynn University (Fla.) last season. I believe
they will bring the leadership and experience to our
team we need to be successful.”
Some familiar Division I faces will again be making a case for post-season action this year. Gulf Coast
Community College (Fla.), also from the tough Region
8, finished 2005 with a 56-9 record and had arguably
the most successful season in the program’s history,
despite not earning a national tournament birth.
Head coach Susan Painter returns nine sophomores
this season, including seven starters, making the Lady
Commodores the team to watch in an already competitive region.
NJCAA Division II Preview
NJCAA Division III Preview
Phoenix College Picked to Repeat
Familiar Faces Will Be
Strong Again in 2006
By Mike Jarrell
Director of Web Operations
As the 2006 seasons draws near, two-time defending Division II champs Phoenix College are once again
favorites to make a return trip to the national tournament in May.
Head coach Heinz Mueller, whose Bears were the
consensus No. 1-ranked squad in all five NJCAA polls,
hopes to carry last year’s momentum into the 2006
season, despite only returning a handful of players.
All five sophomores from Mueller’s 2005 squad
earned spots at four-year schools, including NJCAA
Female Athlete of the Year Chelsie Mesa, Rachel
Schwartz and Casey Wheeler, who signed with Arizona, Southeast Louisiana and Minnesota, respectively.
Even with these losses in mind, Mueller contends
that the start of each season, especially at the JC level,
presents unique challenges.
“Every year you have to reform and reteach or
coach your team to become a champion,” Mueller
said. “It takes a lot of time and hard work to put a
championship caliber team on the field. This year is
no different for us.”
Another team expected to compete on the national
level this season is Parkland College (Ill.). Chuck
Clutts, in his sixth season at the helm of the Parkland
program, has led his team to five consecutive national
tournament appearances, including runner-up finishes
in 2002 and 2005.
In 2006, the Cobras have the advantage of sophomore leadership from the circle in Stephanie Schneider
and NFCA All-American Holly Waden.
“Waden and Schneider are both exceptional pitchers who will help take the pressure off our young team,”
Clutts said.
The Cobras lost all eight starting position players
to graduation during the off-season, including NFCA
All-Americans Brittany Nash and Neeley Hupp.
Parkland is also without the bulk of their 2005
offensive production in Stacey Weaver and Lauren
Holsappe, who combine for 14 home runs and 110
RBIs last season.
Despite such tough losses, Clutts believes that
sophomore leadership combined with a strong core of
newcomers will help earn his squad a trip back to the
national tournament.
Once again, familiar faces make up the group of
teams expected to compete for the Division III national
title in 2006.
Having captured two of the last three titles,
Brookdale Community College (N.J.), has become a
perennial national tournament contender. The Jersey
Blues finished 2005 with a 49-8 record, including
posting a perfect post-season record. Brookdale had
a dominating pitching staff, placing two in the top 10
nationally in ERA with Elyse Papaianni and Cherise
Maltais. Erin Covell was right outside the top 10 at No.
12, and the Jersey Blues hope to continue that sort of
domination in 2006.
Dawson Community College (Mont.) made its fifth
consecutive national tournament appearance in 2005,
finishing in the top five. Other top finishers from last
year include the College of DuPage (Ill.) and Anne
Arundel Community College (Md.).
Anne Arundel had the second-leading hitter in the
nation in Danielle Martinez (.613), while College of
DuPage relied on one of the nation’s leaders in strikeouts with Sonnie Krizek (87).
Page 16
Fastpitch Delivery
NWAACC Preview
February 2006
Caifornia CC Preview
NWAACC Should Be a Fierce Battle Mt. Sac and Palomar
For the first time in six years, a team other than
Lower Columbia will be defending an NWAACC
championship, and Clackamas looks forward to the
challenge. After finishing third in the South region
at 34-7 in league play, the Cougars used a deciding
championship game to win their eighth NWAACC
championship.
Clackamas will have to replace two pitchers that
are now at Division I schools in Holly Marlow (Utah
State) and Chelsea Cook (Eastern Oregon). Head coach
Paul Fiskum looks to three new freshmen to complete
that task.
“We have three freshmen throwing for us, so pitching will be our key. Two were district MVPs at their
Oregon high schools, and the third is from California.
I think that if the pitchers throw up to the level that
they’ve shown they’re capable of, we should be right
in the thick of it.”
Clackamas returns a lot of the offensive firepower
that helped win the title last year, including all-American outfielder Casey Middagh (.350, 11 doubles, nine
home runs). Two .400 hitters also return to anchor the
infield in Caitlin Dooley and Erin Snyder.
Fiskum knows that one of the keys will be handling
the tough Southern region mentally.
“The southern region is so tough – I think mentally
handling the losses and not letting it affect our confidence will be one of our keys,” Fiskum stated.
Defending that title will not come easily, espe-
cially considering that Lower Columbia is a South
region rival and is looking for a return to the top of
the NWAACC.
Lower Columbia will have to find a way to replace
its battery with the loss of two all-Americans in pitcher
Jennifer Pass and catcher Melissa Norton.
Columbia Basin also looks for another strong
season after finishing 24-2 in the East region and 35-8
overall.
Head Coach Kelly Richards is basically starting
fresh in 2006 with only two returners. Two freshman,
Krista Fouts and Jordyn Hale, should bear the bulk of
the pitching responsibility. Three-time all-state catcher
Jackie Travis is also expected to make an impact.
Richards has no doubts about what it will take to
have another strong season in the East.
“The target is firmly placed on CBC’s back, and
we expect to pick up where we leftoff last year with
our hitting,” Richards said. “With 59 team home runs
in 2005, the 2006 team will be expected to wait for
their pitch and make solid contact.”
Bellevue will also challenge for a championship
after finishing atop the North region at 24-8. Leading
the Bulldogs will be all-American infielder Caitlin
Storkson, who batted .456 with 62 hits and 12 home
runs.
The race begins with several teams that could
walk away NWAACC champions, and nobody is being counted out.
Expected to Return
to Top of Cal CC
The COA/California Community College Fastpitch
Championship, arguably one of the most competitive
softball arenas in the nation, will likely feature several
teams from its 2005 tournament.
Mt. San Antonio College, last season’s overall
champion, looks to advance deep into the post-season.
The Mounties posted a 46-4 record in 2005 en route to
their second consecutive top finish.
Also likely returning is perennial contender Palomar College, whose state title hopes ended at the hands
of Mt. SAC last season.
The Comets faced tough losses during the off-season. Those not returning for 2006 action include MVP
Jami Avii, Best Hitter Award recipient Megan Smith
and all-tournament honorees Leslie Reed, Cortnee Fukuda and Amanda Martinez. Combined, these players
accounted for most of Palomar’s 2005 production on
both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Despite these tough personnel losses, Palomar
is expected remain competitive. The 2005 national
tournament marked Palomar’s ninth appearance and
the sixth time the Comets finished the season as the
runner-up.
Division II
Continued from page 12
brenner was a second-team all-American as a freshman
after hitting .372 with eight home runs and 28 stolen
bases, and Ashley Alpizar and Leah English combined
to drive in 67 runs last season.
Another squad that returns a balanced attack is
Concordia-St. Paul in the North Central Region. Bob
Bartel’s squad returns six seniors who he is counting
on for leadership.
“Our six seniors are driven to get back to nationals
after being disappointed with last year’s performance,”
Bartel said. “They understand what it takes and are
very driven to prove that they are better than what they
showed last season.”
One of those seniors is pitcher Kristen Schmidt, a
second team all-American a year ago. Schmidt finished
2005 with a school-record 27 victories and a 1.06 ERA.
Despite the solid numbers, Bartel says Schmidt comes
into her final season with something to prove.
“She’s very driven this year, feeling that she has
some unfinished business to take care of,” Bartel said.
“She pitched really well in the regional, but she felt
like she didn’t have her best stuff at the World Series.
She’s the biggest reason we can get back. Pitching and
defense are what get you there.”
Her ability to shut opponents down will be a big
help on an offense that loses top hitters Jennifer Pozzani and Shannon Miller but returns .298 hitter Amanda
Yurek and leading home run hitter Nikki Smith.
While Concordia is predicted by many to emerge
as the top team in the North Central Region, Emporia
State will challenge that prediction. The Hornets earned
their highest ranking in the preseason (No. 12), and it
is well deserved with eight starters back in the mix.
Megan Davison returns to anchor the offense after
hitting .386 with 11 home runs and 65 RBIs in 2005.
The squad also returns top power hitter Bree Beattie
who hit 12 round-trippers and drove in 48 runs.
Solid pitching throughout the Division II ranks
this season has been a constant, and that is a key area
of focus in the Great Lakes Region, where Southern
Illinois-Edwardsville returns 19-game winner Lindsey
Laas while gaining two-time junior college all-American Sabra McCune from Wasbash Valley College.
The pitching staff’s development should be eased
by an outstanding returning offense that features the top
three hitters from last year’s squad. Alicia DeShasier
leads that way after hitting .363 with a team-best eight
home runs and 39 RBIs. In addition to .340 hitter Emily
Lenart, the Cougars also have leading RBI producer
Holly Neuerburg back in the order.
Another team with questions in the circle this
season is Northern Kentucky, who has to replace twotime all-American Krystal Lewallen. Lewallen, who
transferred to Louisiana-Lafayette, won 32 games as
the Norse advanced to the national tournament and
won a school record 55 games.
In additon to Lewallen, though, Kathy Stewart’s
squad has to replace all-America center fielder Stephanie Leimbach, the school’s leader in hits and runs
scored, all-time RBI record holder Angie Lindeman,
all-conference catcher Megan Owens, all-GLVC pitcher Emily Breitholle and third baseman Sara Becker.
With all of the losses from last year’s squad, Stewart
believes that this team can step out of the 2005 squad’s
shadow and prove themselves. That starts with the most
experienced returners, captains Ricki Rothbauer, Becky
Napier and Rachele Vogelpohl. That experience will be
needed to counter the inexperience of freshman pitchers Michelle Critchelow and Candace White.
Northern Kentucky began its run at nationals by
knocking off LeMoyne in the first round, and Ken
King’s squad would like nothing better than to make
another trip to Salem out of the Northeast Region.
LeMoyne appears very balanced heading into 2006,
with Sarah Reed and Erin Phaneuf back in the circle
after the duo combined for a 32-8 record and an ERA
just over 1.00.
Reed also helps anchor the offense in which three
of the top four hitters are back. Even with the loss of
top hitter and RBI producer Kim Kalec, the Dolphins
have Reed, a .327 hitter, back along with .348 batter
Lindsay Spaziani and .346 hitter Jennifer Winters.
Right on the Dolphins’ heels in the region is
Caldwell, who is no stranger to being in the nation’s
final eight teams after earning a spot in 2004.
Although Dean Johnson’s squad feel short of a trip
to Salem last season, a talented group of seven seniors
return hungry to make another run to the national
tournament.
See Division II, page 22
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Page 17
2006 NPF Composite Schuedule
Wednesday, May 31
Philadelphia Force @ Akron Racers ........................7:05 pm EST
Thursday, June 1
Philadelphia Force @ Akron Racers ........................7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Connecticut Brakettes......7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Arizona Heat ...............................7:05 pm PST
Friday, June 2
Philadelphia Force @ Akron Racers ........................7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Connecticut Brakettes......7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Arizona Heat ...............................7:05 pm PST
Saturday, June 3
Philadelphia Force @ Akron Racers ........................7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Connecticut Brakettes......7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Arizona Heat ...............................7:05 pm PST
Sunday, June 4
New England Riptide @ Connecticut Brakettes......5:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Arizona Heat ...............................7:05 pm PST
Wednesday, June 7
Arizona Heat @ Akron Racers .................................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Philadelphia Force...........7:05 pm EST
Chinese Taipei @ Texas Thunder ............................7:05 pm CST
Thursday, June 8
Arizona Heat @ Akron Racers .................................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Philadelphia Force...........7:05 pm EST
Chinese Taipei @ Texas Thunder ............................7:05 pm CST
Chicago Bandits @ New England Riptide................7:05 pm EST
Friday, June 9
Arizona Heat @ Akron Racers .................................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Philadelphia Force...........7:05 pm EST
Chinese Taipei @ Texas Thunder ............................7:05 pm CST
Chicago Bandits @ New England Riptide................7:05 pm EST
Saturday, June 10
Arizona Heat @ Akron Racers .................................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Philadelphia Force...........7:05 pm EST
Chinese Taipei @ Texas Thunder ............................7:05 pm CST
Chicago Bandits @ New England Riptide................8:05 pm EST
Sunday, June 11
Chicago Bandits @ New England Riptide................3:05 pm EST
Monday, June 12
Chinese Taipei @ Connecticut Brakettes (DH) .......6:05 pm EST
Tuesday, June 13
Chinese Taipei @ Connecticut Brakettes ...............7:05 pm EST
Wednesday, June 14
Chinese Taipei @ Connecticut Brakettes ...............7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Philadelphia Force .....................7:05 pm EST
Thursday, June 15
Akron Racers @ Connecticut Brakettes..................7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Arizona Heat ......................7:05 pm PST
Texas Thunder @ Philadelphia Force .....................7:05 pm EST
Friday, June 16
Akron Racers @ Connecticut Brakettes..................7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Arizona Heat ......................7:05 pm PST
Texas Thunder @ Philadelphia Force .....................7:05 pm EST
Saturday, June 17
Akron Racers @ Connecticut Brakettes..................7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Arizona Heat ......................7:05 pm PST
Texas Thunder @ Philadelphia Force .....................7:05 pm EST
Chinese Taipei @ Chicago Bandits.........................7:05 pm CST
Sunday, June 18
Akron Racers @ Connecticut Brakettes..................5:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Arizona Heat ......................7:05 pm PST
Chinese Taipei @ Chicago Bandits .........................3:05 pm CST
Monday, June 19
Chinese Taipei @ Chicago Bandits.........................7:05 pm CST
Tuesday, June 20
Chinese Taipei @ Chicago Bandits.........................7:05 pm CST
Wednesday, June 21
Chinese Taipei @ Akron Racers..............................7:05 pm EST
China @ Philadelphia Force....................................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Texas Thunder ...............................7:05 pm CST
Thursday, June 22
Chinese Taipei @ Akron Racers..............................7:05 pm EST
Chicago Bandits @ Connecticut Brakettes ............7:05 pm EST
China @ Philadelphia Force....................................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Texas Thunder ...............................7:05 pm CST
New England Riptide @ Team Canada...................................tbd
Friday, June 23
Chinese Taipei @ Akron Racers..............................7:05 pm EST
Chicago Bandits @ Connecticut Brakettes ............7:05 pm EST
China @ Philadelphia Force....................................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Texas Thunder ...............................7:05 pm CST
New England Riptide @ Team Canada...................................tbd
Saturday, June 24
Chinese Taipei @ Akron Racers..............................1:05 pm EST
Chicago Bandits @ Connecticut Brakettes .............7:05 pm EST
China @ Philadelphia Force....................................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Texas Thunder ...............................7:05 pm CST
New England Riptide @ Team Canada...................................tbd
Sunday, June 25
Chicago Bandits @ Connecticut Brakettes ............5:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Team Canada...................................tbd
Wednesday, June 28
China @ Connecticut Brakettes..............................7:05 pm EST
Philadelphia Force @ Texas Thunder ......................7:05 pm CST
Akron Racers @ New England Riptide....................7:05 pm EST
Thursday, June 29
China @ Connecticut Brakettes..............................7:05 pm EST
Philadelphia Force @ Texas Thunder ......................7:05 pm CST
Akron Racers @ New England Riptide....................7:05 pm EST
Friday, June 30
China @ Connecticut Brakettes..............................7:05 pm EST
Team USA @ Arizona Heat......................................7:05 pm PST
Philadelphia Force @ Texas Thunder ......................7:05 pm CST
Chicago Bandits @ Michigan Ice...............................7:05 pm EST
Akron Racers @ New England Riptide....................7:05 pm EST
Saturday, July 1
China @ Connecticut Brakettes..............................7:05 pm EST
Team USA @ Arizona Heat (DH) .............................6:05 pm PST
Philadelphia Force @ Texas Thunder ......................7:05 pm CST
Chicago Bandits @ Michigan Ice...............................7:05 pm EST
Akron Racers @ New England Riptide....................7:05 pm EST
Sunday, July 2
Team USA @ Arizona Heat......................................7:05 pm PST
Chicago Bandits @ Michigan Ice...............................1:05 pm EST
Monday, July 3
Chicago Bandits @ Michigan Ice...............................1:05 pm EST
Wednesday, July 5
Connecticut Brakettes @ Texas Thunder .................7:05 pm CST
Philadelphia Force @ New England Riptide ............7:05 pm EST
Thursday, July 6
Dominican Republic @ Arizona Heat .......................7:05 pm PST
Akron Racers @ Chicago Bandits ..........................7:05 pm CST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Texas Thunder .................7:05 pm CST
Philadelphia Force @ New England Riptide ............7:05 pm EST
Friday, July 7
Dominican Republic @ Arizona Heat .......................7:05 pm PST
Akron Racers @ Chicago Bandits ..........................7:05 pm CST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Texas Thunder .................7:05 pm CST
Philadelphia Force @ New England Riptide ............7:05 pm EST
Saturday, July 8
Dominican Republic @ Arizona Heat .......................7:05 pm PST
Akron Racers @ Chicago Bandits ..........................7:05 pm CST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Texas Thunder .................7:05 pm CST
Philadelphia Force @ New England Riptide ............7:05 pm EST
Sunday, July 9
Dominican Republic @ Arizona Heat .......................7:05 pm PST
Akron Racers @ Chicago Bandits ..........................3:05 pm CST
Wednesday, July 12
Japan @ Akron Racers............................................7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Philadelphia Force ............7:05 pm EST
Thursday, July 13
Japan @ Akron Racers............................................7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Connecticut Brakettes ...............7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Philadelphia Force ............7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Chicago Bandits ............................7:05 pm CST
Friday, July 14
Japan @ Akron Racers............................................7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Connecticut Brakettes ...............7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Philadelphia Force ............7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Chicago Bandits ............................7:05 pm CST
Saturday, July 15
Japan @ Akron Racers............................................7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ Connecticut Brakettes ...............7:05 pm EST
New England Riptide @ Philadelphia Force ............7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Chicago Bandits ............................7:05 pm CST
Sunday, July 16
Texas Thunder @ Connecticut Brakettes ...............5:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Chicago Bandits ............................3:05 pm CST
Wednesday, July 19
Akron Racers @ Texas Thunder ..............................7:05 pm CST
China @ New England Riptide ................................7:05 pm EST
Thursday, July 20
Connecticut Brakettes @ Arizona Heat ....................7:05 pm PST
Philadelphia Force @ Chicago Bandits ...................7:05 pm CST
Akron Racers @ Texas Thunder ..............................7:05 pm CST
China @ New England Riptide ................................7:05 pm EST
Friday, July 21
Connecticut Brakettes @ Arizona Heat ....................7:05 pm PST
Philadelphia Force @ Chicago Bandits ...................7:05 pm CST
Akron Racers @ Texas Thunder ..............................7:05 pm CST
China @ New England Riptide ................................7:05 pm EST
Saturday, July 22
Connecticut Brakettes @ Arizona Heat ....................7:05 pm PST
Philadelphia Force @ Chicago Bandits ...................7:05 pm CST
Akron Racers @ Texas Thunder ..............................7:05 pm CST
China @ New England Riptide ................................7:05 pm EST
Sunday, July 23
Connecticut Brakettes @ Arizona Heat ....................7:05 pm PST
Philadelphia Force @ Chicago Bandits ...................3:05 pm CST
Wednesday, July 26
Denso Japan Pro Team (tentative) @ Phila. Force ...7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ New England Riptide.......7:05 pm EST
Thursday, July 27
Akron Racers @ Arizona Heat..................................7:05 pm PST
Denso Japan Pro Team (tentative) @ Phila. Force ...7:05 pm EST
USA World University Team @ Chicago Bandits ....7:05 pm CST
Connecticut Brakettes @ New England Riptide.......7:05 pm EST
Friday, July 28
Akron Racers @ Arizona Heat..................................7:05 pm PST
Denso Japan Pro Team (tentative) @ Phila. Force ...7:05 pm EST
USA World University Team @ Chicago Bandits ....7:05 pm CST
Team USA @ Texas Thunder ..................................7:05 pm CST
Connecticut Brakettes @ New England Riptide.......7:05 pm EST
Saturday, July 29
Akron Racers @ Arizona Heat..................................7:05 pm PST
Denso Japan Pro Team (tentative) @ Phila. Force ...7:05 pm EST
USA World University Team @ Chicago Bandits ....7:05 pm CST
Team USA @ Texas Thunder (DH)...........3:05 pm/7:05 pm CST
Connecticut Brakettes @ New England Riptide.......7:05 pm EST
Sunday, July 30
Akron Racers @ Arizona Heat..................................7:05 pm PST
USA World University Team @ Chicago Bandits ....3:05 pm CST
Team USA @ Texas Thunder ..................................1:05 pm CST
Wednesday, August 2
Texas Thunder @ Akron Racers..............................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ New England Riptide.....................7:05 pm EST
Thursday, August 3
Texas Thunder @ Akron Racers..............................7:05 pm EST
Philadelphia Force @ Connecticut Brakettes..........7:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Chicago Bandits.............................7:05 pm CST
Arizona Heat @ New England Riptide.....................7:05 pm EST
Friday, August 4
Texas Thunder @ Akron Racers..............................7:05 pm EST
Philadelphia Force @ Connecticut Brakettes..........7:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Chicago Bandits.............................7:05 pm CST
Arizona Heat @ New England Riptide.....................7:05 pm EST
Saturday, August 5
Texas Thunder @ Akron Racers..............................7:05 pm EST
Philadelphia Force @ Connecticut Brakettes..........7:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Chicago Bandits.............................7:05 pm CST
Arizona Heat @ New England Riptide.....................7:05 pm EST
Sunday, August 6
Philadelphia Force @ Connecticut Brakettes..........5:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Chicago Bandits.............................3:05 pm CST
Wednesday, August 9
New England Riptide @ Akron Racers.....................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Philadelphia Force.........................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Chicago Bandits..............7:05 pm CST
Team Canada @ Texas Thunder .............................7:05 pm CST
Thursday, August 10
New England Riptide @ Akron Racers.....................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Philadelphia Force.........................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Chicago Bandits..............7:05 pm CST
Team Canada @ Texas Thunder .............................7:05 pm CST
Friday, August 11
New England Riptide @ Akron Racers.....................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Philadelphia Force.........................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Chicago Bandits..............7:05 pm CST
Team Canada @ Texas Thunder .............................7:05 pm CST
Saturday, August 12
New England Riptide @ Akron Racers.....................7:05 pm EST
Arizona Heat @ Philadelphia Force.........................7:05 pm EST
Connecticut Brakettes @ Chicago Bandits..............3:05 pm CST
Team Canada @ Texas Thunder .............................7:05 pm CST
Sunday, August 13
Chicago Bandits @ Philadelphia Force ...................7:05 pm EST
Monday, August 14
Chicago Bandits @ Philadelphia Force ...................7:05 pm EST
Tuesday, August 15
Team Canada @ Connecticut Brakettes.................7:05 pm EST
Chicago Bandits @ Philadelphia Force ...................7:05 pm EST
Wednesday, August 16
Team Canada @ Connecticut Brakettes.................7:05 pm EST
Chicago Bandits @ Philadelphia Force ...................7:05 pm EST
Texas Thunder @ New England Riptide..................7:05 pm EST
Thursday, August 17
Chicago Bandits @ Akron Racers............................7:05 pm EST
Team Canada @ Connecticut Brakettes.................7:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Arizona Heat ...................................7:05 pm PST
Texas Thunder @ New England Riptide..................7:05 pm EST
Friday, August 18
Chicago Bandits @ Akron Racers............................7:05 pm EST
Team Canada @ Connecticut Brakettes.................7:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Arizona Heat ...................................7:05 pm PST
Texas Thunder @ New England Riptide..................7:05 pm EST
Saturday, August 19
Chicago Bandits @ Akron Racers............................7:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Arizona Heat ...................................7:05 pm PST
Texas Thunder @ New England Riptide..................7:05 pm EST
Sunday, August 20
Chicago Bandits @ Akron Racers............................1:05 pm EST
Michigan Ice @ Arizona Heat ...................................7:05 pm PST
Page 18
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Division I Preview
Continued from page 10
with the top three hitters from last year’s squad returning along with all three pitchers. Caitlin Lowe provides
a solid bat and speed on the bases as she led the team
a year ago with a .510 average, five home runs, 25
RBIs and 27-of-30 on stolen bases. She’ll have plenty
of support in the lineup from fellow speedster Autumn
Champion, who hit .331 and stole 14 bases. Despite
losing leading power hitter Jackie Coburn, Kristie Fox
provides power after hitting .356 with nine home runs
and a team-best 64 RBIs in 2005.
Even with a stellar offense returning, the anchor for
the Wildcats will be in the circle where all-American
Alicia Hollowell returns. The senior appears on track to
become the school’s winningest pitcher after claiming
a 31-9 mark last season. The Wildcats’ all-time career
strikeouts leader, Hollowell gained international experience with the U.S. national team over the summer
following her junior campaign, in which she worked
279 innings and compiled a 0.88 ERA.
Despite UCLA and Arizona being the two favorites in the conference, Stanford and California could
both be considered legitimate contenders for the title
as well. Despite losing its top hitter from a year ago,
John Rittman’s Cardinals have plenty of punch at the
plate back, led by Lauren Lappin. The .331 hitter will
be a key component in the lineup along with secondleading hitter Catalina Morris, who hit 13 home runs
and 36 RBIs last season, .331 hitter Jackie Rinehart,
and Michelle Smith who led the squad with 19 home
runs and 54 RBIs.
The key for the Cardinal will be in the circle, where
Laura Severson returns for her senior season and Becky
McCullough looks to build on a rookie campaign in
which she won 21 games.
The Golden Bears’ run to an eighth straight
WCWS appearance could hinge on the pitching staff,
where two-time NFCA All-American Kristina Thorson returns after winning 23 games in 2005. Thorson,
however, will come into the season without 28-game
winner Kelly Anderson on the staff.
The offense loses Vicky Galindo and Kaleo Eldredge, but brings back .439 hitter Lindsay James
along with Emily Friedman and leading power hitter
Haley Woods.
UCLA, Arizona, Stanford and California all sit
in the preseason top 10, but the Big 12 and SEC also
have plenty of representation from teams that could
challenge for the title.
There’s no question that Texas has the ability to
win it all behind two-time collegiate player of the year
Cat Osterman. The senior is determined to take the
Longhorns to the title in her senior season after finishing third a year ago. Osterman went 30-7 last year
and led the nation in ERA (0.36) and strikeouts per
seven innings (15.2) but should get some added help
from sophomore Megan Denny, who gained valuable
experience in her rookie season.
“Obviously we’re excited to have Cat back. We
definitely want to take advantage of having her back
for her senior season,” Texas head coach Connie Clark
said. “Megan Denny now has a year or experience, and
we are seeing her transition from a thrower to a pitcher.
We feel really good about our pitching staff.”
shy of the national championship series, and this seaDenny won 10 games in her inaugural collegiate son she returns with another year of experience and
season, including a 0.93 ERA and 153 strikeouts. Con- development under her belt.
nie Clark has mentioned that Denny enters 2006 with
“Monica has really matured and she’s more confia better command of her array of pitches.
dent,” UT co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. “She has
With one of the top pitching staffs in the country improved at throwing inside, and her off-speed pitches
returning for 2006, Clark has invested in building up are better. The thing about Monica is she’s very humble
an offense that hit just .233 a year ago. Leading hitters and just a really nice young lady.”
Chez Sievers, Desiree Williams, Tina Boutelle and
Although Abbott draws a lot of the attention,
MicKayla Padilla return, along with Megan Willis and Weekly is quick to point out that the offense can hold
Amber Hall, and Clark has brought in former Texas- its own as well.
San Antonio head coach Corrie Hill to help improve
“It’s not just Monica for us,” Weekly said. “We
the production.
have more speed than I’ve ever coached. We stress
“We’ve finished third two of the last three years, playing good defense, and as a result we’ve been the
and when evaluating the team, the offense stuck out,” top defensive team in the NCAA the past couple of
Clark said. “We hired one of the best hitting coaches out seasons.”
there in Corrie Hill. Her teams have always been known
Kristi Durant returns to bolster the offense after
for the offensive numbers they’ve put up, and we feel hitting .387 with 77 RBIs a year ago. UT also returns
that she’ll help bring us a more balanced attack.”
.396 hitter Lindsay Schutzler along with .414 hitter
With all of the talent returning, another team from Sarah Fekete. Tonya Callahan brings the power back
the “Lone Star State” has been picked at the top of to the lineup as she hit .300 with 11 home runs in the
the Big 12. Texas A&M could almost be the complete Lady Vols’ run to Oklahoma City.
opposite of its rivals. While the Longhorns dominate
“Hopefully we’re more confident after going to
with pitching, the Aggies, who won the school’s first the World Series last season,” Weekly said. “There’s
conference title last season, return seven starters from a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and we
last year’s squad that led the nation in hitting.
want our players to be confident.”
Amanda Scarborough and Megan Gibson return
That confidence will be beneficial as UT bolsters a
to key not only Jo Evans’ offense, but her pitching tough SEC that has five teams in the NFCA preseason
staff as well. The duo each hit .405 last season while top 20.
combining to hit 29 home runs and drive in 100 RBIs.
“My concern this season, and it’s positive, is that
In the circle Scarborough went 26-2 with a 0.73 ERA the SEC is extremely tough. We have to make sure we
and 134 strikeouts. Gibson helped out in the circle as take this trip day by day. There are no weak teams in
she compiled a 13-6 record.
the conference,” Weekly said. “Playing a tough SEC
Baylor was picked No 11 nationally in the pre- schedule helps you feel good about your chances
season despite returning only four position players against the top teams in other conferences, but it’s a
from last year’s squad. Even with all-conference challenge, especially having the conference tournament
selections Tessa Lynam, Kelly Osburn and Harmony the week before the NCAA tournament. The conferSchwethelm back, 20-game winner Lisa Ferguson and ence is really tough from top to bottom; you can’t take
the pitching staff will have to carry some of the load anyone lightly.”
until the offense gels.
With UT the preseason
Even with the loss of
favorite to win the SEC
several key players from their
Eastern Division, the West
previous post-season runs,
preseason favorite was anOklahoma will still be a conother team that finished in
tender in the Big 12. The
OKC, Alabama. Like TenSooner offense returns leadnessee, who has Abbott in
ing hitter Kristin Vesely and
the circle, Alabama has solid
Norelle Dickson and will
pitching itself behind NFCA
have to carry the load for the
All-American Stephanie Vanfirst part of the season as the
Brakle.
pitching staff regroups from
VanBrakle went 34-7
the loss of 32-game winner
last season with a 1.34 ERA
Kami Keiter.
and 341 strikeouts, but she is
Tennessee definitely does
also a key component in the
not have any question marks
middle of the potent Crimson
about the pitching staff with
Tide lineup. Offensively she
all-American Monica Abbott
hit just under the .300 mark
back in the circle. The junior
and had 41 RBIs while leadwas stellar last season, coming the squad with 11 home
piling a 50-9 mark and 0.59 Georgia catcher Charvi Greer hopes to help the runs.
ERA with 603 strikeouts, as Bulldogs improve on a season in which they were one
See Division I, next page
the Lady Vols finished a game game away from a World Series appearance.
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
2006 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
Division I
Continued from previous page
Although Patrick Murphy’s squad loses leading
hitters Ashley Courtney and Jackie Wilkins, he does
have Staci Ramsey and Dominique Accetturo back in
the lineup after stellar 2005 campaigns. Both hit 10
home runs a year ago, and Ramsey drove in 45 runs
while Accetturo batted in 44. Jordan Praytor, a .339
hitter in 2005, brings speed to the base paths after
stealing 14-of-15 bases a year ago.
Georgia hopes 2006 will be the year they break
through and earn a trip to Oklahoma City. The Bulldogs
last season fell in the super regional to UCLA while
Tennessee and Alabama represented the conference at
the World Series.
The Bulldogs will have to fill some holes heading into the campaign, as they lose standout pitcher
Michelle Green and top hitters Kim Wendland and
Courtney Knight. Kasi Carroll will be faced with the
challenge of stepping into the No. 1 role in the circle
as she won 17 games last season with a 2.13 ERA.
The offense brings back some punch with last
year’s top home run threat Megan McAllister. She’ll
be joined by .280 hitter Ashley Godfrey and .301 batter
Charvi Greer. Jessica Doucette hopes to build off a solid
2005 campaign in which she hit .318 with 38 RBIs.
Michigan and UCLA will be gunning for a repeat
trip to the national championship series, but with all of
the talented teams heading into 2006, who will hoist
the trophy is anyone’s guess.
Page 19
Player
Hometown
School
Class Position
Player
Hometown
School
Monica Abbott
Salinas, CA
Tennessee
Jr.
Amber Jackson
Fontana, CA
Bethune-Cookman Sr.
Caitlin Benyi
Scottsdale, AZ
UCLA
Sr.
2B
Chelsi Lake
Keller, TX
Baylor
Jr.
IF
Tina Boutelle
Katy, TX
Texas
Sr.
OF
Lauren Lappin
Anaheim, CA
Stanford
Sr.
SS/C
Courtney Bures
Haymarket, VA
Mississippi St.
So.
IF
Sara Larquier
Burbank, CA
Virginia
Sr.
3B
Katie Burkhart
San Luis Obispo, CA Arizona St.
So.
P
Dominique Lastrapes
Mission Viejo, CA
Washington
Jr.
2B
Kasi Carroll
Norris City, IL
Georgia
Jr.
P/OF
Danielle Lawrie
Langley, BC
Washington
Fr.
P
Lauren Castle
Lafayette, LA
LSU
Sr.
OF
Jodie Legaspi
Garden Grove, CA UCLA
Jr.
SS
Autumn Champion
Tustin, CA
Arizona
Sr.
OF
Caitlin Lowe
Tustin, CA
Arizona
Jr.
SS
Christina Clark
Santa Ana, CA
Fresno St.
Sr.
IF
Brianne McGowan
Reno, NV
Oregon St.
Jr.
P/1B
Garland Cooper
Mission Viejo, CA
Northwestern
Jr.
1B
Micaela Minner
Sanger, TX
Missouri
So.
OF
P
Class Position
SS
Jennifer Curtier
Lancaster, CA
Pacific
Jr.
1B
Catalina Morris
Sonoita, AZ
Stanford
Sr.
OF
Holly Currie
Pisgah, AL
Auburn
Jr.
P/1B
Marissa Nichols
Diamond Bar, CA
UNLV
So.
OF
Megan Denny
Crowley, TX
Texas
So.
Cat Osterman
Houston, TX
Texas
Sr.
P
Norrelle Dickson
Orange, CA
Oklahoma
Jr.
3B/SS
Jackie Rinehart
Reno, NV
Stanford
Jr.
OF
Andrea Duran
Selma, CA
UCLA
Sr.
3B
Jennie Ritter
Dexter, MI
Michigan
Sr.
P
Kristi Durant
Placentia, CA
Tennessee
Sr.
3B/C
Amanda Scarborough
Magnolia, TX
Texas A&M
So.
P
Sarah Fekete
Maryville, TN
Tennessee
Sr.
OF
Lindsay Schutzler
Monterey, CA
Samantha Findlay
Lockport, IL
Michigan
So.
1B
Harmony Schwethelm San Antonio, TX
Courtnay Foster
Tucson, AZ
Northwestern
Sr.
P
Kristie Fox
San Diego, CA
Arizona
Jr.
SS
Megan Gibson
Spring, TX
Texas A&M
So.
P/1B
P
Tennessee
Jr.
IF
Baylor
Sr.
IF/OF
Christine Sheridan
Pasadena, MD
Georgia Tech
Sr.
SS
Anjelica Selden
Vacaville, CA
UCLA
So.
P
Kristina Thorson
Lake Forest Park, WA California
Sr.
P
Eagle Rock, VA
Danyele Gomez
Metairie, LA
Louisiana Lafayette Sr.
OF
Angela Tincher
So.
P
Tiffany Haas
North Tustin, CA
Michigan
Sr.
2B
Stephanie VanBrakle Chambersburg, PA Alabama
Sr.
P
Alicia Hollowell
Suisun, CA
Arizona
Sr.
P
Kristin Vesley
Phoenix, AZ
Oklahoma
Sr.
CF
Vanessa Iapala
San Diego, CA
Oregon St.
Sr.
1B/C
Emily Zaplatosch
Scottsdale, AZ
UCLA
Sr.
1B/C
Virginia Tech
Page 20
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Division III Preview
Continued from page 13
pitcher Michelle Schlichtig, who also led the Scarlet
Raptors at the plate. Schlichtig tied for the national lead
in strikeouts with 318 and was in the top ten in ERA
with a 0.61 on her way to a 27-6 record. At the plate,
she batted .388 with 54 hits, 37 runs scored, 12 doubles
and nine home runs, all team-leading statistics.
Moravian is always a strong competitor in the
East after finishing as national champion runner-up
in 2004, and 2006 should be no different with eight
starters returning, including two time all-American
senior pitcher Meagan Hennessy. The Greyhounds will
have to find a way to replace three time all-American
Heather Bortz, but they have several strong candidates,
including senior Richelle McWilliams, who led the
team with 37 RBIs and 10 home runs.
Other teams looking for a strong year in the East
include Ursinus College, which returns all 10 starters
to a team that finished at 35-8 last year, and King’s
College, who finished at No. 24 in the final poll of 2005
after being one win away from the final eight.
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes region is filled with teams that
would like to represent it at the final eight, a feat that
was not accomplished in 2005. Leading the effort in
2006 should be Aurora, who finished the season ranked
10th in the nation after an impressive 40-win season
which ended a game short of the final eight.
The regional appearance was the first for Aurora in
10 years, but head coach Mike McKenzie’s squad looks
to repeat with six starters returning. The biggest shoes
to fill will be those of first-team all-American pitcher
Taylor Petersen, who was among the nation’s leaders
in ERA (0.40), strikeouts (274) and wins (27).
“You can’t really replace a strikeout pitcher like
Taylor Petersen. She was also a great hitter for us. We
do have a very good transfer pitcher, Brittany Butcher,
from Edgewood College. We also have a good freshman pitcher in Nicole Capone, who will get some quick
experience,” McKenzie reported.
Returning at the plate for the Spartans will be
Dana Cebular, who led the team with 11 home runs
and 39 RBIs.
McKenzie added, “We will be a quicker team, but
we will have less power. We should be solid defensively, but we will have to make more plays because we
will have less strikeouts. We do have some very strong
freshmen, and those three, along with some other good
additions, should make us competitve.”
Another Great Lakes team just a game away from
the final eight was Lake Forest, who looks to extend its
Midwest Conference title streak to five years. Leading
the Foresters at the plate will be junior outfielder Erin
Watts, who batted .400 with a team-leading 50 hits, 13
doubles and 35 RBIs.
Head coach Tina Johnson returns her top two pitchers, including conference co-pitcher of the year Ashley
Closson. Closson posted a 10 win season with a 2.41
ERA, while Kendra Grant was 11-4 with a 2.68 ERA
in just her freshman season.
North Central looks to improve upon its 2005
season, in which it was ranked as high as 12th in the
nation. The Cardinals return their top hitter in senior
Jenna Congdon (.380), but will have to replace their
leading hurler in Jessica Siegel, who was among the
nation’s leaders in wins with 25.
Also challenging in the Great Lakes region will be
2005 Alma regional participant Edgewood. Edgewood
returns several key players including sisters Jennifer
and Jessica Stephens, who combined for over 100
hits, 65 runs and were one and two in batting average,
respectively. Eighteen-game winner Brittany Butcher
returns to the circle for the Eagles and hopes to improve
upon an already impressive 1.16 ERA.
Midwest
The trend of a Midwest region team playing in the
national championship continued in 2005, and several
schools have plans to keep that trend alive in 2006. It’s
hard to look at the Midwest region without calling St.
Thomas one of the favorites after back-to-back national
championships.
Tschida tries not to look too far ahead, “I explained
to the kids that last year’s team won the national
championship and that this year’s team is 0-0 just like
everyone else. Adding just one player can dramatically
change a team’s chemistry and adding 10 new players
can make it 10 times different.”
Although St. Thomas will have to find a way to
replace two all Americans in middle infielders Michelle
Wong and Kristi Huegel, nobody is counting the Tommies out when it comes to post-season play.
Tschida looks forward to the type of pressure that
can only come to a defending national champion.
“There is always pressure being a team that has had
success. Everyone gets excited to play you, and you
get used to playing playoff caliber ball each and every
game. We realize winning takes a lot of luck and hard
work and that winning a national championship is usually a once-in-a-lifetime thing, if it happens at all. We
would like to win one every year, but with almost 400
teams in Division III, there are too many good coaches
and programs to have that happen. They wouldn’t let
that happen – and that’s what makes athletics fun. I
don’t like to lose, but being afraid of losing is worse
than losing itself.”
Returning to the circle for the Tommies is senior
Janet Nagle, who finished the season with a 0.92 ERA
and 203 strikeouts en route to a 23-3 season. After a
strong freshman campaign, Maria Bye returns as well
after posting a 1.53 ERA for 17 wins.
Tschida also returns two of his top hitters in 2006,
including the speedy Carrie Embree, who finished with
a .433 average and 24 stolen bases. Also bolstering the
lineup will be senior Nikki Conway, who batted .345
and scored a 53 runs after stealing 23 bases.
“We lost half of our team due to graduation,
which accounted for more than half of our offense, so
predicting a national championship would be foolish.
We will have several first year players who will more
than likely be contributing a lot. Based on what I see
so far, we have a long ways to go, but returning our
pitchers and catchers is always a good place to start,”
Tschida added.
Washington-St. Louis spent much of 2005 at the
top of the rankings, but after falling to St. Thomas in
the Cedar Rapids regional final, the Bears are looking
for more in 2006.
First year head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutte was
excited coming into St. Louis, “The motivation on this
team is unlike any other team that I have been associated with. The team has come so close to winning it all
but have not been able to get past the regional tournament. They have been working extremely hard this fall
and off-season and are ready to get going.”
Washington-St. Louis returns seven starters, including second-team all Americans Laurel Sagartz
and Amy Vukovich. Although they lose first-team
all-American first baseman Liz Swary, sophomore
Vukovich and junior Jamie Kressel should anchor a
powerful lineup that suffered only three losses in 2005.
Vukovich finished with a team-leading .434 with 62
hits and 40 runs scored, while Kressel led the team
with 11 home runs.
On the rubber, Sagartz returns after posting a 0.81
ERA with a 24-3 record. Junior Abby Morgan was also
strong, finishing with a 7-0 record and 0.99 ERA.
Another team that should challenge in the Midwest
is St. Mary’s (MN), which finished the season ranked
17th after a disappointing post-season. The Cardinals
return their leading pitcher Jenny Schipp, who finished
with 25 wins and a 1.80 ERA, and leading hitter Jenni
Gutterman, who batted .369 and stole 27 bases.
The Midwest continuously proves to be a strong
region, and several other teams will be making runs at
regional appearances. Coe College looks to improve
upon a 37-6 record but will have to find a way to replace
two first-team all Americans. Senior infielder Ashley
Wagner will lead the Kohawks after receiving thirdteam all-American honors in 2005. Wartburg looks to
make a showing at regionals with leading pitcher Jackie
Sorensen (21 wins) and leading hitter Stephanie Howe
(.444). Fontbonne should also challenge, returning
seven starters to a team that finished 33-13 in 2005.
New England
New England proved to be somewhat of a surprise
in 2005 as previously unranked Williams made a strong
showing at the Babson Park regional to earn its first
ever final eight berth. The region should once again
be up for grabs as there are several teams that could
contend for a spot in the final eight in the nation.
Williams looks to extend its streak of back-to-back
NESCAC championships, and with seven starters returning, this should be another strong year. Head Coach
Kris Herman has said that they are not even talking
about a return trip to Raleigh at this point.
“Our team and coaching staff are very excited
about the program and last year’s final eight appearance
for sure. We would have liked to played better at that
point, however, and feel like we have more in us. We
have a tremendous group of seniors who have been a
part of the program longer than I have and have worked
extremely hard. They’ve been wonderful leaders in
many ways and set a great example for everyone in
their work ethic and commitment.”
Leading the Ephs at the plate will be senior second
baseman Alana Frost, who led the team in hits, runs
scored and stolen bases while batting .413. Leading
home run hitter Katelyn Knox also returns to strengthen
the lineup. In the circle, senior Clara Hard looks to
See Division III, next page
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Page 21
NCAA Rules Corner
Rules Change Regarding Time Between Pitches
By Dee Abrahamson
NCAA Secretary – Rules Editor
In an effort to improve the flow of the game and
eliminate some of the gamesmanship between pitcher
and batter, the softball rules committee has approved
a major change regarding the time
allowed between pitches. The change
became effective with the publication
of the 2006 rule book.
Rule 10, section 18 reads, “The
pitcher must be on the pitcher’s plate
and the batter in the batter’s box within
10 seconds after the pitcher receives
the ball or after the umpire calls ‘Play Ball.’ After both
the pitcher and batter are in position, the pitcher has
five seconds to begin her pitching motion.”
So let’s break it down into its parts and the practical
application of each part.
The 10 seconds begin when:
1. The pitcher receives the ball in the pitcher’s
circle; or
2. When she carries the ball into the circle; or
3. When the umpire declares “Play Ball.” The time
would NOT begin if the pitcher receives the
ball as a fielder (for example, to make a tag at a
base) or when any other player receives the ball
in the pitcher’s circle. Once the pitcher has the
ball in the circle, she must be on the pitcher’s
plate before the 10 seconds expires.
At the same time, the batter has 10 seconds to
get in the batter’s box. The time would NOT begin
immediately when the situation calls for a new batter
(whether by advancing the batting order or through
substitution). In these cases, the 10 seconds applies
when the situation calls for the new batter, NOT immediately when the previous batter leaves the batter’s
box. To be considered in the box, she must have both
feet in the box but may still be taking signals or practice swings.
IF the pitcher is on the pitcher’s plate but the batter is not in the box when the 10 seconds runs out, the
umpire will penalize the batter by declaring “Dead
Ball,” “Strike,” and “Play Ball” which begins the 10
second count again.
IF the batter is in the batter’s box but the pitcher is
not on the pitcher’s plate when the 10 seconds expires,
the umpire will penalize the pitcher by declaring “Dead
Ball,” “Ball,” and “Play Ball” which begins the 10
second count again.
IF neither the pitcher nor batter have assumed their
correct positions, the umpire will declare “Dead Ball”
and direct the batter to immediately get in the box and
the pitcher to immediately get on the pitcher’s plate.
Once in position, there should not be more than five
seconds until the pitcher begins her motion but we’ll
get back to that.
IF following a pitch, the catcher holds onto the
ball and does not immediately return it to the pitcher,
the umpire will start the 10 second count by declaring
“Play Ball.” Then the pitcher and catcher each have
10 seconds to assume their positions.
Now if the timing works as it should with the
pitcher on the rubber and the batter in the batter’s box
before the 10 seconds expires, the pitcher has five
seconds to begin her pitching motion. Any motion
which is the beginning of what will ultimately end in
the release of the pitch will meet the requirement of
beginning the pitching motion.
IF the pitcher does not begin her motion before
the five seconds expires, the umpire will penalize the
defense by declaring “Dead Ball,” “Ball,” and “Play
Ball” which begins the 10 second count again.
As previously stated, the intent of the rule change
is to improve the flow of the game, but there are exceptions when this change will not result in the immediate
release of a pitch. Umpires will continue to use their
judgment in granting time when requested by either the
offense or defense. Obvious examples include difficulty
in understanding either offensive or pitching signals,
dust in a player’s eye, changing equipment during an
at-bat, substitutions, etc. As with any rule, these exceptions will exist but should not be so frequent that it
detracts from the intent and enforcement of the rule.
to Raleigh with five all-region performers returning,
including sophomore pitchers Carly Myers (1.05 ERA,
21-6) and Nicole Cade (2.15 ERA, 10-7).
“Hopefully we can build off the success of last
year’s team, but it’s all going to stem around our pitching, which it always does. Hopefully my two returning
sophomores can take a couple steps forward to becoming more complete pitchers.”
Returning at the plate are the Bombers’ top two
hitters including outfielder Leigh Bonkowski, who led
the team with a .362 average, fifty hits, and nine home
runs. Also strengthening the lineup will be sophomore
second baseman Jessica Stangarone, who had a strong
freshman season with 47 hits and 30 runs scored.
Western New England is one team that would like
to finish a strong season with a strong post-season after
ending 2005 with a 39-6 record and ranked 14th in the
nation. The Golden Bears were undefeated in Great
Northeast Conference play and look to repeat with six
starters returning. WNE will have to find a way to replace third-team all-American pitcher Jackie Shedlock,
but sophomore Alex Paterson is ready for the challenge
after winning 12 games her freshman year.
The Golden Bears return several offensive standouts, including third baseman Jess Nelson, who batted
.522 in limited action, and first baseman Erin Whitcomb, who led the team with seven home runs.
Several other teams have strong chances to compete for regional and final eight berths in 2006, including Union College and Cortland State. All 10 starters
return for Union, which would like to build upon a
season in which it finished 30-6 but lost the first two
games of regionals. All Americans Julie Gawronski
and Abby Arceneaux will lead the Dutchwomen after
strong sophomore seasons. Cortland State also lost its
first two games at the Ithaca regional, but looks for a
better performance with eight starters returning for a
team that finished 31-11.
West
Chapman was just one win away from the 2005
national championship game and would like to finish
2006 representing the West Region in the final. There
are a group of teams capable of being that representative, however, including a strong group of returners for
the University of the Redlands.
Chapman returns nine starters to a team that would
like to make its third consecutive final eight appearance
under head coach Janet Lloyd, who is clearly excited
about her team.
“We have every position covered and have very
solid back-ups for each position. We have four strong
pitchers, and most of these kids have been to nationals
all three years, so they know what has to be done. I
really believe this team enjoys the challenge of each
opponent. Our goal this year has three steps to it:
Get to regionals, win regionals, and win the national
championship. We were fifth two years ago and third
last year, so we’re hoping to move up two spots again
this year.”
Those returners include eight seniors, led by firstteam all-American shortstop Jill Jeranko. Jeranko led
Division III Preview
Continued from previous page
improve upon an impressive 16-5 season in which she
finished with a 1.06 ERA and 120 strikeouts.
Keene State finished the season ranked 15th in the
nation with a 34-8 record, but after falling to Williams
in the regional final, the Owls look to have a better finish to 2006. The biggest position to fill will be on the
rubber with ERA national leader Megan McLoughlin
(0.21) gone, although the Owls have a good candidate
in sophomore Ashlee Nicholson, who posted a 0.67.
Several hitters return to the young Keene State
lineup, including sophomores Nicholson (.343), first
baseman Kaity Conklin (.339) and catcher Melissa
Scata (seven home runs and 25 RBIs).
Another strong challenger should be Endicott, who
also finished in the top 25 in 2005. The Gulls will have
to find a way to replace three standout infielders, but
second-team all-American pitcher Robyn Savitske
(0.72 ERA, 199 strikeouts, 23 wins) should be a good
anchor for that infield.
Teams looking to improve on solid performances
last year include Babson, which finished at 37-8 and
return its top five hitters and top two pitchers; and Tufts,
which led the nation in home runs in with 42 but will
have to replace all-American Courtney Bongiolatti.
Northeast
The Northeast is another region in which any one of
several teams could have a championship season after
strong showings in 2005. Representing the Northeast at
the final eight was a surprise in the regional fifth-seed
Ithaca, which finished 31-14 and ranked fourth in the
nation. Deb Pallozzi’s Bomber squad looks to return
See Division III, next page
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 22
February 2006
Fair or Foul: Legal Issues in Coaching and Education
Can You Get in Legal Trouble for Talking About People?
A local Knoxville, Tenn., newspaper recently
covered the events involving a lawsuit against the
University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer
by a former player Kenny Smith and his mother alleging defamation. The case has
not gone to trial and the merits
of the case are unknown at
this time. Though, as you scan
through your memory, think
of what you have said about
current or former players or
perhaps coaching colleagues;
how many do you think might
have cause for a defamation
claim against you?
Earlier this summer I was approached by a boy’s
high school hockey coach seeking counsel regarding
what he felt was a case of defamation toward him by
a few players’ parents. In Minnesota they take hockey
very seriously, like football in the South, so it is not
unusual that parents will make strong statements yea
or nay about a hockey coach. It was clear there were
derogatory, negative, even mean-spirited statements
made by the parents about this coach. In fact, he had
copies of letters that parents had mailed to the high
school athletic director, principal and superintendent.
His contract had not been renewed. He was out of
luck, his reputation dragged through the mud, and
the debts rising. He was living a nightmare because
of what others had said about him. Was he defamed
though? Probably not. Did he have the legal basis to
likely succeed at court? Definitely not. Could you be
living the nightmare of the Tennessee coach who was
sued by a player or the hockey coach who lost his job
because of what others said? Yes you could!
Defamation is an intentional false communication, either published or publicly spoken, that injures
another’s reputation or good name.1 So why didn’t
the hockey coach have a case? There is a difference
between a wrong and a legally wrong act. The parents’
statements may have been wrong about the coach, but
they did not meet the legal standards established by
case law to be a legal wrong. In order to prove defamation three elements must be met. The statements must
be false, the statements must be published or spoken
to another, and there must be harm to the reputation
or good name.
It is important to distinguish defamatory statements
form statements of opinion. Derogatory statements of
fact are defamatory, such as saying “Coach Jones committed a major NCAA infraction” or “Coach Lane hit a
player.” However, an opinion, such as “I think Coach
Smith is a lousy coach” or “Coach Roberts is profiteering off her camps” is not legally actionable. It is a fine
line drawn between a defamatory statement and an
opinion. Statements such as “Coach Johnson does not
have the confidence of her players,” or when a former
head coach states he did not want to give a reference
for his former assistant because he did not want to
“embarrass her” have been held to be defamatory.2
In determining harm, it is presumed in defamatory
written statements.3 However, in spoken derogatory
defaming statements (slander), it must be shown that
there is special harm. Specifically, the plaintiff must
have been lowered in the standards of the community
or have had others refrain from associating with her.4
If the defaming statements were of subjects of criminal
activity, serious sexual misconduct, loathsome disease
or involving the person’s business activity, courts have
found defamation.
Coaches of notoriety are often the brunt of very
Division II
Division III
All-region performer Amy Coker returns along
with Anna Dahl, Katie Jackson and Jessica Saunders.
Jackson led the team with a .415 average that included
six home runs and 37 RBIs, while Coker was second
with a .371 average and seven stolen baseas. Dahl and
Saunders anchor the pitching staff after combining for
32 wins and an ERA of under 1.00 in 2005.
USC Upstate heads into 2006 fresh off a schoolrecord season that included 46 wins and a trip to the
regional championship game.
The Spartans have six starters back from last year’s
squad that hit .335. Tiffany Pitcher leads the charge
offensively after hitting .343 with 39 RBIs last season.
She’s joined by another all-region performer in Jena
Keith (.340, four home runs, 37 RBIs).
USC Upstate returns a solid nucleus in the circle
as well, with school strikeout leader Kasey Heron back
along with Jenn Whited and Jessica Jolly.
Who will win the national title in Division II this
season? Your guess is as good as mine.
the team with a .435 average, 41 runs scored 60 hits
and 13 doubles. first baseman Meredith Cipolla will
also be back after batting .333 with 10 home runs and
43 RBIs.
The Panthers’ strong pitching will remain that way
with all three pitchers from a year ago returning, including third-team all-American junior Maggie Wilder
(0.97 ERA, 12-2). Sophomore Jennifer Winford (1.14,
13-4) and junior Marissa Becerra (1.39, 9-3) would also
love to make a return trip to Raleigh.
The Redlands had one of its most successful years
ever, but after falling short at regionals, the Bulldogs
are another team looking for more in 2006. All but one
starter return to a squad that had a school-record 31
victories on its way to an undefeated SCIAC championship.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs in the circle will
be senior Lindsey Sutton, who finished 2005 with a
1.67 ERA; sophomore Katie Brnca would like to improve on her 2.27 ERA from her freshman campaign.
By Rayla Allison
Atttorney at Law
Continued from page 6
Continued from previous page
derogatory statements by the media, but can these
coaches take action toward the sport talk radio host
or the local daily newspaper reporter? Following the
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan5 decision, the media is liable for defamation if the publisher of a false
and defamatory statement knew it was false, and was
reckless with disregard or acts negligently in trying to
determine the truth.
The advice our mothers used to give us, “Don’t
say anything unless it is nice,” as adults is solid legal
advice. Will you be the plaintiff or defendant in a
defamation case based on your discussions of a former assistant coach, or sharing info on a transferring
student-athlete with another coach, or you at the blunt
end of harsh words by the media? Understanding the
difference between derogatory statements or derogatory defaming statements protects you either way.
Footnotes:
1
Black’s Law Dictionary, West Publishing Company, 1991.
2
Employment Law, by Rothstien, Craver, Schroeder, Shoeben
and VanderVelde, West Publishing, 35 (1994).
3
Id. At 36.
4
See Restatement (Second) of Torts § 568 at comment d.
5
376 U.S. 967, 84 S.Ct. 1130, 12 L.Ed.2d 83 (1964).
Rayla J. Allison, Assistant Professor-Sport Management, Minnesota State University and an Attorney
at Law providing legal services nationally in the
following areas: Title IX; coach and athlete issues
including, employment, endorsement, video and book
contracts, and discrimination; sport market analysis,
team operations, marketing, sponsorship, product
development, intellectual property and sport corporations. She can be contacted at (612) 802-5541 or by
e-mail at raylajallison@msn.com. Copyright held by
Rayla Allison 2005.
At the plate, third-team all-American catcher
Maritza Padilla returns for her senior season after batting .374 with 35 RBIs. Also solidifying the Bulldog
lineup will be junior outfielder Allyson Leslie, who
stole a school-record 27 bases and batted .437 to lead
the Bulldogs.
Linfield is one school that will compete for a regional berth after dropping out of the top 25 in the final
poll. The Wildcats return their top six hitters from a
team that batted over .300 for the year, but will have to
find a way to replace their leading pitcher in 18-game
winner Michelle Morris.
Other teams that would like to improve on strong
2005 seasons include Trinity (TX), which finished
2005 ranked 19th in the nation and return six starters;
Pacific Lutheran, which returns six starters, including
second-team all-American first baseman Gretchen
Reucker; and East Texas Baptist University, which
will try to improve upon a 25-15 season with seven
retuning starters.
February 2006
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 23
Softball by Smitty
North and South, Excitement Builds for Opening of Season
By Dick Smith, Head Coach
University of St. Francis (Ill.)
Excitement is in the air. In the north, travel teams
have been practicing all winter, high schools are beginning
spring conditioning, and colleges have begun practicing
in anticipation of the forthcoming season. Southern and
western softball players have been going at it all year, so
there is not the same anticipation as in other
parts of the country.
Time is short for some colleges, because in less than a month many will be
participating in some early tournaments.
If they’ve lived by the rules, they did not
begin practices until students came back
from the holidays and the new semester
began. Thus, time is really short and many
teams won’t be prepared.
The northern teams won’t see a diamond for a couple
of months. Even then they will often be dragging snow
rather than dirt from the fields. For these teams, weather
is the pits in the spring. This is true even for teams a bit
north or south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Games, when
they begin in late March or early April, are often played
with a cold wind blowing, some sleet and, if lucky, a little
mist rather than a downpour. Infields are muddy, unless
they are “rock” diamonds, in which case they are mushy.
Outfields resemble drenched rice paddies. Understating
the issue, one might say that conditions are not good.
The problem is that in order to play, teams in the north
must put up with weather. It is the law. High schools have
it a bit better than colleges, as they play into May and
beyond. But colleges are seldom lucky enough to have
many good playing days. Summer teams get to swelter
in the hot days of summer.
All this, of course, means practice is indoors for most
teams. Ugh! Great for conditioning, but lousy for solid
preparation. Or is it? Well, yes, indoor practice is not the
same as being outdoors. Seldom can you hit fly balls to
outfielders in a gym, and often the practice area is too
small to have a real game.
Batting cages are fine for machines, but death on
pitchers without a protective screen. Smitty must make
a point here. It is not wise to have live pitching practice
in an indoor batting cage without a screen. Teams do it,
but they are taking a terrible chance of injuring a pitcher.
This is because the lighting is usually not very good, and
balls that are hit come off the floor very quickly. Reaction
time is not as good as it is outside due to these factors.
So, be careful with this aspect of training.
Back to our training. Hopefully, coaches have spent
the winter doing something besides lamenting about past
seasons. Such melancholic behavior does little except
promote more doldrums. Best that we look elsewhere for
our off-season entertainment.
So where should we look? Well, it might be a good
idea to examine what went wrong last season. What
was the problem? Did we not have the horses? Were
we plagued with injuries? (Not much you can do about
this aspect except maybe condition better.) If we had the
horses, what the blazes happened? Were we coaches at
fault? Was there team dissention? Was it a combination balls or humidity, all of which affect throws. Dejection
of all these factors or something else?
seems hardly the word.
Best that we find answers to these questions. If we
Then of all things, we can’t really work with our
didn’t have the horses last year, it is hoped that we went outfielders inside. Sure, we can do some drop steps and
out and got some new stock for the coming season. If throw the ball up a bit, but there’s no way we can hit fly
we didn’t we’ve got the same old problem. Maybe, just balls unless we’re blessed with a dome. Even so, fly balls
maybe, we thought we were getting better talent, but we inside become rather routine, since they are not much
misread that which was available, thinking the recruits we affected by weather conditions.
were getting would fill the bill of expertise
College teams in the north have an additional probon the softball battlefield.
lem.Their first competition is usually on a spring trip
Our first glimmer of hope arises when against teams who have been playing and practicing
we see the veterans and new players rushing outside all spring. Good heavens, why are we not pitted
to practice with great excitement, a condi- against one of our northern sister teams? Oh no, they start
tion that will gradually fade as the practice us off with the Golden Girls of Southern California, curseason lengthens, basically due to routine rently sporting a 12-2 record against top competition.
and boredom. At first though, we are very
Things are looking grim now. We were really excited
at first, but as the season approaches, we fear the worst;
pleased. And why?
Our pitchers are really throwing well. that being, we are not prepared. And if we do think we’ve
The ball looks really fast, the rises are going up, the drops had a good practice season, do we have the horses? Ah,
are dropping, and the curves are curving. We smile. We doubts do fester, don’t they?
Well, fear not. If you have done your best, if your
can see the national championship now, because we
know that we can teach our hitters and fielders to do charges are in condition and have worked hard, you will
their jobs, but we always worry about pitching. It is the be competitive with the best. Your team will surprise you
with their tenacity and determination. Your game results
way of things.
But Mr. Caution shows up after a couple of weeks in may or may not be to your liking, but rest assured your
the gym. We remember something a wise old coach once players will give it their best.
said, namely, that all pitchers look good in the gym. The
It is important that if things go badly, you remain
problem is that we are in the gym and not outside where positive and keep the team in that mode. It is easy to get
Mr. Weather, Mr. Wind and Mr. Humidity prevail. Further, down, and once there, it’s easy to remain in that state. Conthe gym floor allows our hurlers to have a solid plant foot versely, a string of solid wins can tend to put a team in the
and thus their pitches seem to be working rather well. But “we can’t be beat” mode; a dangerous condition if there
outside, in the dirt, on the rock diamond, in the mud or ever was one. The curse of curses is to come back from
on the concrete-like surface, all bets are off. The footing a spring trip undefeated and ranked in the top ten. When
is not as solid, now is it? Pitches don’t seem as fast and that happens, everyone will be out gunning for you.
the breaking stuff just ain’t breaking. Zounds! We are at
Remember, for northern college teams, there are two
the mercy of Mr. Outdoors.
seasons. The spring trip is one and the one back home is
And then we see our batters crunching the pitching the other. They can be remarkably different. Southern
machine balls. Even the kids that were not great in the and western teams don’t have this problem so much.
batter’s box are knocking the ball almost through the cage. Their problems surface and become a real problem if
We are excited. But wait! Mr. Caution shows up again and the upstart snow birds burst their warm weather bubble
says, “Look, coach, a wild, spastic orangutan could learn of superiority; a condition that’s been known to happen.
to hit a pitching machine. The cursed thing lays the ball in Just remember Smitty’s Law: the opponents, no matter
the wheelhouse every time. My grandmother could close the team or place of origin, show up on the field for only
her eyes and learn to hit that beast. Just wait until you see one reason, and that is to soundly thrash your team. You
a real, live pitcher!” Dejection sets in again.
should never forget that reason.
Well, how about our fielders? They are like fielding
Dick Smith is the head coach at the University of St.
demons, grabbing every single “ground” ball with precision and throwing a mighty ball to the intended target with Francis and formerly coached at Valparaiso University.
great accuracy. Excitement
flows, as we know what a
SMITTY’S TIP
great defense can do against
those nasty hitters. But
After many practices in preparation for the new season, players become bored
wait! There’s that pesky
with the routine of batting, fielding and pitching. They become lazy and no amount
Mr. Caution who tells us
of urging will be of use unless coach keeps a constant eye on things. However,
that in the gym, balls have
players need to realize that when laziness creeps in and they become bored, they
a tendency to bounce in
will begin making mistakes and become slovenly in their workouts. They are actua friendly manner, a fact
ally practicing strikeouts, errors and bad pitches. Not a good condition. Thus, it is
that is not true outdoors.
incumbent upon every coach to use some variety in practices and make them fun.
Further, when throwing
Actually, it is a good idea to let the team run some practices. Players often come
indoors, fielders are not
up with great ideas for fun and training. Try it. You’ll like it.
faced with the wind, wet
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 24
February 2006
On Performance/Coaching Science
ACL Injury Prevention for Softball – Part VII
Edited by Ken Kontor
Publisher, Performance Conditioning Baseball/Softball
This is the seventh installment of a multi-part series that will address the
continuing problem of ACL injury in the female athlete. This series will examine
the latest research, the principles of prevention and exercise for balance, jumping
landing/directional change mechanics and core/leg strength to avoid injury.
Leg Strength (LS)
Leg strength is necessary to develop
joint, tendon and ligament as well as muscle
integrity to overcome potential situations
where injury can occur during competition.
Presented are exercises that combine all these
motions and train the body as an integrated unit. To be functional for sports, the
movements must be multi-plane to include diagonal and rotational patterns. This
issue we look at two exercises that can be done in the weight room with body
weight, barbells or dumbbells.
Figure 1
Lateral Lunge
• Stand with feet shoulder width apart.
• In a slow, controlled manner step sideways far enough to allow the knees
to extend over but not beyond the toes.
• Trail leg remains straight with ball of the foot or heal in contact with the
floor. Be sure to be in a deep stretched position.
• Accelerate out of the deep position by pushing off the trail leg.
• Alternate ball of foot, heal position with each repetition. Repeat with the
other leg (Figure 2).
Split Squat
• Feet parallel and slightly wider than shoulder-width and toes pointed out
slightly with back flat and tight.
• Take one step forward. Keep the shin perpendicular to the ground. Try to
keep the knee behind the toe and avoid the knee moving past the knee, as in the
lung position.
• Keep the back flat and in neutral position. Knee almost, or slightly touches,
the ground (Figure 1).
Reprinted from Performance Conditioning Baseball/Softball Volume Four,
Number Five. For more information, go to www.performancecondition.com.
Smith
Press Box
Biola University. Smith was the pitching coach for the Biola baseball team when
and the athletic director asked if he would be interested in coaching softball.
“I was real wary – there wasn’t much of a field, but I decided I would try it.
That’s how I got my start in softball.”
Making the switch from baseball to softball was a fairly simple one for Smith,
and when he describes the differences between the two, it’s obvious that the switch
is complete.
“The biggest difference is how fast-paced the game is. As a coach, you have
to think in advance so much more because of the speed of the game. Also, getting
used to the differences in terms of the way you use your pitchers was a big adjustment. You can get away with one pitcher instead of five or eight pitchers, even
though at this level I think you’ve gotta have more. There are more skills players
in softball – utility players are such a huge part of the game. The fast pace is what
I really like about it though – you can finish a softball doubleheader in the time it
takes to play one baseball game. Baseball can be hard to watch, even for someone
that played the game for years.”
Smith spent 10 years pitching in the minor leagues, and this is another area in
which he can relate to his players.
“I think the mentality between the pitchers and catchers is the same as in baseball
– you’re going to go after hitters pretty much the same way. Counts, placement in
the batter’s box, faults and habits in their technique – I think having been a pitcher
myself, it’s a huge advantage in the mental side and the area of setting up hitters. I
also know what it takes to play at the professional level in terms of hard work, and
I want my athletes playing at that level.”
While Smith still considers himself a student of the game, he seems to have
figured out what works for his program and his players. As his Cal Baptist team
attempts to take the next step and win it all this year, we can count on one thing. If
it’s not broken, they’re not fixing it.
noticed in recent years that being consistent with a weight and conditioning program,
our athletes are in shape when it’s time for postseason, that they’re not dragging.
Over recent years, it’s been a real push. At our school I do my own, so I talk with
personal trainers and strength and conditioning coaches. I’ve brought a lot from
the past and incorporated that here. Also, I think it’s important to make practice
fun and not just a job. You have to find a way to hold the attention of players, and
if it’s just simple repetition, you’re going to lose them. There are a lot of games out
there that you can do to develop skills; we try to incorporate that into every practice
– making it game-style. Everything we do in practice is game-like, meaning we go
hard and never just go through the motions.
Continued from page 6
Figure 2
Continued from page 6
Is there a secret to success?
Hard work – buying into the system. If you buy into the system and work hard, good
things will happen to you. I say the phrase over and over, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix
it.” I try to do everything before a game that I did two years ago; the girls appreciate
that. Even though change is good, it’s a comfortable situation when players know
what to expect and they are on the same page. When we go on the road, we do the
same thing every time. If it’s not working for us, we’ll try to change it a little bit.
What would your ideal season be like?
Of course winning a national championship. We were one game from it last year;
I think last year was ideal for us. No one except us expected us to be there. I think
besides that, it’s for my team to improve on a daily basis – if we’re better from
day one of practice to the last day of the season, as long as we’ve improved, that’s
a successful season. If you can get away from the injuries and the drama and improve every day, you give yourself those chances. Part of an ideal season includes
recruiting.
See Mike Smith’s Drill Pick, page 29
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Page 25
On Performance/Conditioning
Warm-up Dynamically to Better Prepare for Workouts
By Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS
Strength and Conditioning Specialist and
Softball Coach
Multi-directional training is now becoming a
major component of any softball-specific strength
and conditioning program. For many individuals the
key to athletic development lies in the development of
multi-planer strength, power, and movement. The use
of linear single joint activities is no longer considered
optimal in the performance enhancement paradigm,
and this certainly applies to softball.
Although the importance of this type of training is
supported by many of the top strength coaches, how
to implement this training still tends to elude many
individuals in the field. Elements such as strength,
power, balance, agility, coordination and others need to
be addressed in a periodized fashion. Each component
should be integrated into each daily training session.
The Warm-Ups
Warming up for any type of training is vital to
injury prevention and for maximizing performance.
Warm-ups prime the systems of the body preparing
them for vigorous and intense activity. A well-developed warm-up serves many purposes:
• Elevates core temperature
• Increases muscle and tissue elasticity
• Improves movement mechanics
• Increases proprioceptive awareness
• Strengthens stabilizers of the joints and spine
• Increases dynamic flexibility
• Primes the nervous system
• Psychologically prepares you for activity
Each warm-up should prepare the athlete for the
activities presented in the workout, meaning that different types of workouts should utilize different types
of warm-ups. Always be aware of the focus of your
training session and make sure you target those elements during your warm-up.
Use dynamic rather than static activities during
your warm up. You are preparing your body for motion. The best way to do this is by using motion. Static
stretching activities do little for movement preparation
and can lead to muscle fatigue.
Furthermore most static stretches are narrow in
scope. These stretches only stretch the muscles in the
specific joint configuration utilized during the stretch.
Movement, on the other hand, uses a seemingly endless
variety of joint configurations and muscle contractions
(Note: Static stretching can be used post warm-up if
you have excessively tight muscles or imbalances.)
Finally, break a sweat!!! Every warm-up should
necessitate focus and concentration. You should not
be able to hold a conversation or pay attention to the
activities of others while you work. If you are not
sweating by the end, you probably are not that warm.
Medball Warm-Up
Due to their design, medicine balls allow you to
work any possible range of motion in its entirety. This
promotes the development of specific strength and
power more precisely than any other type of weighted
activity. With medballs, you can work the exact multiplaner range of motion that is utilized in softball. This
allows for the extensive orchestration of the stabilizers,
neutralizers, and prime movers within the same neuropatterns as the targeted activity.
When performing the medball warm-up, choose a
medball that is two to three kilograms in weight. If a
medball is not available, you can use a five or 10 pound
plate or dumbbell.
Squat and Press – Assume a stance that is approximately one-and-a-half times shoulder width with your
feet pointed forward. (Changing the angle of your foot
stance will shift the stretch within the hip. You can
change your stance periodically to change the stretch.)
Hold a medball at chin level. Push your knees out to
the sides and shift your weight to the back side of your
heals. Keep you head up and your back arched as you
push your hips back, drop your shoulders forward,
and bend at the knees. (Hip movement should precede
bending at the knees.) Descend into a full squat. Push
your knees out to the sides during the entire descent.
Your weight should reside on the back side of your foot.
Your lower legs should be perpendicular to the ground.
(Do not let the knee track forward or inward as this is a
common mistake.) You should maintain a constant arch
in the lower back. Reverse the motion and return to the
top. At the end of the ascent, press the ball overhead
maximally, and then return it to chin height. If you
are having problems learning this technique, start by
assuming the bottom position while sitting on a bench
or box that places your thighs parallel to the ground.
Perform the ascent and the press and then return to the
seated position. Make sure to push your hips back (as if
you are reaching with your glutes); during the descent
sit in the same location you started from.
Leg Chop – Hold the medball over head at armslength while standing on one leg with a slight bend at
the knee. Chop the medball down to the ankle of the
base leg by bending at the hip. As you are chopping
down, kick the free leg and the hips back. Keep your
back flat and your body weight on the back half of your
foot. Work on maintaining your balance and control.
Do not let the base leg hip push out to the side or the
lower back round.
Lunge and Reach – Take a maximal step forward
with either foot. As you step reach out with the same
side arm. (Use a palm up grip on the medball.) Reach
the medball as far in front as possible and touch the
back of the hand to the floor. Lower you shoulders as
deep as possible. (Note: the front knee angle should be
90 degrees or greater.) Return and switch sides.
Chop and Twist – Assume a slightly wider than
shoulder-width stance. Hold a medball between your
hands above your head at arms length. Chop the ball
down between your knees flexing at the hips and
rounding the back. Reverse the motion and twist to
one side as you ascend. Chop again and twist to the
other side.
Figure 8 – Holding the medball between your
hands at arms length, twist from the hips and torso
and draw a maximally sized horizontal sweeping
figure eight with the medball. Perform the prescribed
number of repetitions, and then reverse the direction
of the pattern.
Lat Lunge and Twist – Hold a medball between
your hands with your arms resting in front of your body.
Lunge laterally by stepping to the side. Keep the trail
leg straight, push the hips back and bend at the knee
until the front thigh is parallel to the floor. (If you have
tight hips you may not be able to get this low, just go as
deep as you can.) Extend your arms (and the medball)
out fully in front of your body in a “front raise” fashion
as you descend into the lunge. Keep your shoulders
square to the front. Keep your weight on the back half
of your bent leg’s foot and the trail leg’s foot flat on
the ground. The lower leg of the bent knee should be
perpendicular to the floor, and you should not flex the
knee joint to any less than 90 degrees. At the bottom
of the lunge, twist maximally over the knee that is in
front, and then toward the trail leg. Keep your spine tall
during the twist. Return to the center and then back to
the top by stepping back toward the trail leg. Repeat,
stepping to the other side. If you have a problem getting
this technique, assume the bottom position while sitting
on a bench or box that puts your bent leg’s thigh parallel
to the floor. Perform the rotations and then extend the
bent leg until it is straight. Bend that knee again and
return to the seated position. Repeat all the reps on this
side before performing the reps on the other side of the
body. Once this feels natural, try performing the same
motion without the box and starting at the top. Stay in
the stepped out position and perform all of the reps on
one side before moving to the other.
Twist – Hold a medball in one hand (palms up)
at arms length. Keeping your eyes on the ball, rotate
using your hips and torso maximally to the side of
the arm holding the medball. Keep a tall spine and do
not lean forward or to the side. Reverse the motion,
switch hands when directly in the front, and repeat on
the other side.
Squat and Reach – Hold a medball in one hand,
palm up, with the arm fully extended in front of the
body. Perform a wide stance squat as described in the
squat and press (without the medball at your chin). During the descent reach out maximally with the medball.
Sit as low in the squat as your hips will allow. Return
to the top, and repeat with the other arm.
Jump Rope Warm-Up
The jump rope is a long forgotten tool that is priceless. Not only does it serve as a great way to warm up,
it helps to develop timing and reaction. Many athletes
lack these valuable assets, and can benefit greatly from
this type of training.
When performing the jump rope warm-up, find a
rope that rotates easily without twisting. Cheaper jump
ropes have a tendency to twist and inhibit the exercise.
If you find that your rope does this periodically, switch
hands so the handle that was in the right hand is in the
left and the left is now in the right. This will untwist
See Dynamic Warm-ups, page 30
Page 26
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
NFCA Instructional Corner
There’s a Lot More to Rotational Hitting Than You May Think
By Mike Epstein
Special to the NFCA
Defining the Linear and Rotational Hitting Techniques
As many of you already know, I played in the
major leagues for nine years. In addition, I played
for baseball’s greatest hitter, Ted Williams, for three
years and mentored under him for
another 10. I received the only
letter of recommendation he ever
gave out for hitting instruction
back in 1990. Believe me, I earned
it. It was comparable to earning a
PhD in both hitting and pitching
instruction. He was tough, but without his consummate
knowledge I would seemingly be just as “lost” about
hitting as everyone else.
We spent many days discussing the relative merits
of both rotational and linear hitting. Despite being
open-minded in our conversations about both techniques, it was difficult to dismiss the facts that:
1. Linear hitting almost put baseball “out of business” in the early 1900s (“Deadball Era”);
2. Ninety-five percent of baseball’s Hall-of-Fame
hitters utilized the rotational technique; and
3. Rotational hitting correctly makes use of ALL
the laws of physics. Ted even went so far as to say
it was his belief that “Charlie Lau’s [linear] approach to hitting set the sport back 50 years.”
Whether his observation has merit or not, to me,
is not the issue. The issue, in my mind, is when one
or the other should be taught. In other words, both
techniques are diametrically opposed and have different applications for different types of hitters, be it
softball or baseball.
Ted Williams asked me to carry on his legacy
when he no longer was able. I embarked on his request
in 2000. At that time, I had no intention of involving
myself with fastpitch softball. I had a seemingly full
plate in front of me just trying to convey to the baseball
world that linear hitting was a “lunging” technique.
And, EVERYONE knows lunging is counter-productive. Eventually, the baseball world began to see the
logic in what I was saying and the “stay back” cue
came into vogue. Today, knowledgeable coaches
preach “stay back” to their hitters and have reaped the
rewards for changing.
Over the past six years I have heard from many
concerned fastpitch parents. They basically ask two
questions. The first is, “Why does pitching dominate
in softball?” My answer is quite simple and straightforward: “Because softball hitters allow them to dominate.” The second question is, “What is the difference
between linear and rotational hitting?” I tell them that
when a pitcher makes a “mistake” pitch to a linear hitter, she gives up a single. When she makes a mistake
pitch to a rotational hitter, it’s three runs.
When I hear from softball coaches now, it is usually a referral because their team got “waxed” in a
tournament by teams with powerful offenses. The
losing coach will ask the other team’s coach where
his players learned to hit like “that.” Their response
is, “Mike Epstein.”
Style and Technique
To get an initial hold on this intriguing issue, it
is necessary to define the words “style” and “technique.” Unfortunately, these words have been used
interchangeably over the years. We hear people talking
about players having their own “hitting styles.” I think
this is confusing.
In reality, there are only TWO hitting systems:
linear and rotational. Each system has its own set of
“laws” which govern their physical movements. For
this reason, they should not be combined.
However, one “shared” movement is the weight
transfer. In linear hitting, the weight begins coming
forward in the stride and continues coming forward
through contact and follow-through. In other words,
the hitter’s weight is one continuous movement towards
the oncoming pitch.
In rotational hitting, there is also a weight transfer
forward in the stride, but once the front heel drops to
trigger the swing, the front side is blocked and the
hitter’s linear movement becomes rotational. One must
remember that when the front foot plants, it blocks the
front side and the linear movement that was initiated
in the stride. Body momentum at this point revolves
around a stationary axis, precluding lunging, much
like the tetherball
example I use in my
teaching DVDs and
the illustration you
see here.
If we throw a tetherball as hard as we can, it rapidly
passes the pole it is tethered to. But when the tetherball “runs out of rope,” it violently rotates around the
pole it is attached to. Thus, we can graphically see the
transition from linear to rotational. Dropping the front
heel is one of the keys for blocking the weight transfer.
This movement is comparable to the tetherball when
it “runs out of rope.” Both turn linear movement into
rotational (angular) energy.
There are many out there today that preach a “hybrid” swing; the weight moves in a linear fashion and
then rotates. It is wise NOT to be confused here; this
IS rotational hitting! For reasons unknown to me, some
coaches are trying to take credit for something “new”
and are re-packaging rotational hitting to be something
“different.” The “linear move” they describe is the
stride, a natural response to breaking inertia that also
precipitates the beginning of the torquing process. Rotational hitting has always incorporated a linear weight
transfer before transitioning to rotational energy!
Today, we instruct our hitters to “stay back,” ostensibly because — whether we realize it or not — we are
making an attempt to teach rotational hitting! I don’t
know why this is, but coaches will try to teach concepts which they are not totally familiar with, simply
because it is the “rage.” And today, “staying back” is
THE rage.
However, I am (and you should be) continually
amazed by softball coaches who passionately argue
their undying belief in linear hitting as the ONLY
technique for fastpitch hitters. Many of these same
coaches also teach their hitters to “stay back.” Yet, by
definition, linear hitting is moving forward, transferring the hitter’s weight from over their back leg to over
their front leg in one continuous forward movement.
Say what?
How is it possible to stay back and be linear at
the same time? No wonder hitters are confused. The
hitters are – because the coaches are. Many softball
“gurus” are now teaching a “hybrid” swing to their
hitters, clinging to what they used to teach (linear)
with the inevitable changeover to rotational hitting
that is taking place.
While it may be possible to combine both hitting
systems, my personal experience has revealed that it
is restraining for even the elite athlete. Over the years,
linear hitting has produced singles and contact hitters,
while rotational hitters have been the power hitters
and run producers. Good softball lineups often have a
blend of both “table setters” (linear) and “run producers” (rotational).
We must have command of our knowledge if we
are to have a positive effect on those with whom we
communicate.
Style
Style is the player. Style is what distinguishes a
hitter from everyone else. Style is personal. A number
of years ago at an Oakland A’s Old Timers’ game, Vida
Blue, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, and I were standing against the left-centerfield fence. We were laughing
and telling “war stories” when a very heavy player on
the “opposing” team stepped into the batting cage to
hit. “Who’s that?” asked Vida. None of us recognized
the overweight player. Then, as he knocked some dirt
out of his spikes, in unison, we said, “Danny Cater!”
Although we couldn’t see his face and his body had
changed dramatically, his mannerisms (style) told us
all we needed to know.
We all have our own personal styles that allow us to
do things as effortlessly and as comfortably as possible.
We’ve all recognized people by the way they walk
when we weren’t close enough to really “see” them.
Hitters utilize their personal styles to get their bodies into advantaged hitting positions. All the pre-swing
movements they make should be executed as relaxed
as possible. Some are “quiet” hitters, some have wide
stances, some have deep crouches, and some have their
hands high. When I tell a hitter to be “comfortable,”
I’m really talking about his personal style. The goal is
to be “tension-free.”
While it’s not a good idea to try to change a hitter’s
style, softball coaches are notorious for “cloning” their
hitters to look alike. The hitter should be the one who
initiates the changes, which are normally done through
routine adjustments and trial-and-error. NOT the coach.
A hitter’s style must allow her to get to the universal
launch position (the top of the top hand at the bottom
of her armpit), tension-free and on time. If this is not
possible, then adjustments must be made. Otherwise,
it’s a matter of personal comfort.
See Rotational Hitting, next page
February 2006
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 27
Rotational Hitting
Continued from previous page
Technique
On the other hand, we have “technique.” Technique
is not personal. Technique is universal, with 95 percent of baseball’s Hall of Fame hitters using the same
technique. Over the past century, baseball’s productive
(high OPS) players have hit this way.
Ultimately, the player’s personal style will “wrap
around” her universal technique. “Style” is why hitters
(should) all “look” different, but resort to the same
core movements from launch to contact. They all have
different styles, but the technique remains constant.
What’s made it so difficult to see is technique happens
in milliseconds and often goes unnoticed.
The hitter’s technique represents the movements
that must be emulated! Not their style. Softball coaches
need to grasp this concept, because over the years all
they have done is “clone” hitters to the extent that they
all look alike from stance to follow-though (including
bashing their upper arm as they finish their swings!).
The Epstein Teaching System™ focuses on proprietary drills to “burn in” the muscle memory required
to perform this time-proven hitting technique.
Once a hitter masters the technique, the only adjustments they will make as she continues playing are
“style” adjustments.
Understanding these terms is a good first step in
taking the confusion out of the teaching process.
The rest of this article will concern itself with
rotational hitting for those not familiar with it.
How Rotational Hitting Works
Rotational hitting is a biomechanically correct
sequence of events designed to hit a ball hard. Its
effectiveness relies on the kinetic energy developed
through the separation of the upper and lower torsos.
I describe this vital movement as “torque.” The scientific definition is the “kinetic link” which promotes
“kinetic chaining.” “Kinetic energy” is produced as
the swing uncoils.
Kinetic energy always works “upward,” and the
rotational baseball swing is no exception. It starts in the
feet and works its way up as the body rotates around
a stationary axis. It continues out the shoulders, out
the arms and hands, and releases its total accumulated
energy at the end of the bat. For those of you who are
golfers, you know what I am talking about (“X Factor”). If kinetic energy works upward in physical movement, why do we teach hitters to swing “down?”
In the final analysis, rotational hitting is a finelyhoned system of pulleys and levers that effectuate the
equal and opposite principle of physics to maximize
kinetic energy.
It is the only hitting technique capable of delivering
and optimizing high kinetic energy, and is the principal
reason why it has been used over the past century by 95
percent of baseball’s Hall of Fame hitters. Linear hitting
does not produce kinetic energy because linear hitters
don’t rotate and therefore don’t produce torque.
Hitting Types
To further simplify the teaching process, hitters
must be classified into three distinct groups. All hitters
are different. They have different abilities, sizes, and
strengths. For this reason alone they must have different hitting approaches.
The reason so many hitters fail is because we instruct them to all hit the same way. Big, small, weak,
strong, fast and slow – they are all taught the same. We
teach all softball hitters that “ground balls are good.”
Are ground balls really “good” for a big, strong player
who has absolutely no foot speed?
Can you see why so many become disillusioned
and fail? By cloning hitters and making them all do
the same thing, we have inadvertently made soccer the
fastest growing sport in this country.
Classifying Hitters
To overcome this teaching anomaly, I classify hitters into three distinct types. All hitters fall into one of
these three groups:
• Singles/contact
• Line/drive gap
• Pure power
The Singles/Contact Hitter
The primary goal of the singles/contact hitter
should be low line drives and ground balls. This type
is the prototypical linear hitter. In softball, many are
“slap hitters.”
Characteristics include: excellent foot speed; they
can take advantage of the ground ball; little or no
power; hitting the ball in the air doesn’t make much
sense; position on “axis” is upright – results in a flatter
swing plane than the other two hitting types.
Goals include: 50 percent low line drives and 50
percent ground balls; ground balls to take advantage
of their great foot speed; high on-base percentage;
“table setter.”
(Unfortunately, I see far too many softball hitters
who have been made into singles/contact hitters despite
their ability to do much more. Talent and ability are
heartbreaking things to waste through poor coaching
and/or information.)
The Line-Drive/Gap Hitter
The goal of the line drive/gap hitter is to “balance
out” their off-the-bat ball trajectories. Some have more
power potential than others and this advantage must
be developed by the instructor.
Characteristics include: average to good foot
speed; average to good power; position on “axis” is
slightly behind center; has slightly steeper swing plane
than the singles/contact hitter.
Goals include: 50 percent high line drives, 25 percent fly balls and 25 percent ground balls; high total
bases and high slugging percentage.
The Pure Power Hitter
The goal of the pure power hitter is big-time production.
Characteristics include: great power and/or size;
little (if any) foot speed; position on “axis” is further
back than the line-drive/gap hitter; needs to get the
ball in the air more often to be effective; ground balls
to them result in too many outs.
Goals include: 50 percent high line drives and 50
percent fly balls; home runs, high slugging percentage,
high total bases, high on-base percentage, and RBIs.
So, while each hitter should demonstrate the identical core mechanics, their position relative to their axis
normally determines the type of hitter they are (or will
become).
(It is interesting to note that, as a “general” rule,
all hitting types become “singles/contact hitters” with
two strikes. Contact — not power — becomes the goal
with two strikes.)
We should now be at the common understanding
that the defining characteristic of each hitter’s type
boils down to where they position themselves relative
to their axis of rotation. The technique is identical for
all three types.
The “Knee is the Key”
This may shock you, but in reality, there really
isn’t any “uppercutting” at all in the good rotational
swing! I guess there could be if one wasn’t taught to
hit correctly or if someone was absolutely determined
to do it. But, those that swing up too much often make
early departures from the game, as do those who swing
down too much.
The whole idea behind the proper swing is to get
the hitter to “match the plane of their swing to the
plane of the pitch.” This is a dynamic moment in the
rotational swing that allows the hitter to maximize his
contact area.
Contrary to “popular” belief, this is not a result of
swinging “up.” It is a product of hinging the rear knee,
which induces a “tilting” process that the hitter’s body
undergoes at the swing’s launch point.
Viewing the diagram of the “open view” of a right
hand hitter (i.e., the direction of the pitch is from right
to left), the horizontal lines represent a “level” (to the
ground) swing. The vertical lines represent the hitter’s
axis.
By “hinging” the rear knee (i.e., compressing or
“sitting on it”), the hitter is able to tilt rearward, behind
their axis. The more the knee hinges, the greater the
tilt and the steeper the swing gradient.
It should now be clear how a hitter, taught sensible
mechanics, is able to make the on-the-fly adjustment
to the pitch they get to be successful. Hinging the rear
knee is a swing dynamic in response to the pitch the
hitter gets.
As I stated before, there really is no “uppercut” to
the swing. The offset
lines in the figure show
the result of hinging
the back knee. The
“swing” line and “axis”
line have not changed
their relationship and
are still perpendicular
to one another.
The swing is still “level.” However, now it is “level
to the ball,” not “level to the ground.” In other words,
the difference is the hitter is now swinging on the same
plane as the oncoming pitch.
“Weathervaning”
Another swing dynamic involves the hitter’s lead
elbow.
The hinging of the rear knee shapes the posture
of the hitter’s body and determines the “rough” swing
plane it will initially take.
See Rotational Hitting, next page
Page 28
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Rotational Hitting
Continued from previous page
“Weathervaning” is a term I use to describe the
process of “fine-tuning” the plane of the swing to
further match the plane of the pitch.
The rotational hitting technique allows the hitter
to make instinctive, rapid-fire, on-the-fly adjustments
to an incoming pitch. It is why I say, “The perfect
swing is the adjustment the hitter makes to the pitch
they get.”
The majority of fastpitch hitters are taught to swing
“one way” (e.g., “down”). This takes away from their
ability to work on the same plane as the pitch. When
the hitter is able to match the plane of their swing to the
plane of the pitch, her lead elbow works in an approximate 6” slot. If the
pitch is perceived
as “down,” the lead
elbow responsively
works “up” in the
slot. If the pitch is
perceived as “up,”
the lead elbow adjusts and works down. This oscillating movement,
or “weathervaning,” of the lead elbow permits this to
happen. The rotational swing is all about the ability to
make these dynamic adjustments.
Pitchers are taught to throw in a “downhill plane”
because it’s much tougher for the hitter to lift the ball
and do some real damage. Because we don’t teach
softball hitters to counteract a pitcher’s strategy, hitters
have allowed pitchers to dominate in fastpitch. It will
continue this way until hitters are taught to adjust to
different pitches.
If a pitch is perceived as “down,” and the hitter has
been taught to swing with their lead elbow “down,” the
likely result is a ground ball.
If the pitch is perceived as “up” the lead elbow
will routinely make an adjustment and work down in
the slot, flattening out the swing, and putting the bat
in perfect alignment with the ball.
Another reason for the weathervaning lead elbow
is to maximize the hitter’s contact area. If a player
can’t do this and their movement is linear, producing a
downward or “level to the ground” plane to her swing,
she has only one chance to hit the ball as the planes of
the swing and pitch converge.
This small area of a few inches leaves little room
for timing error. Contrast this to the previous example
of weathervaning that produces a contact area of approximately 30” or more.
Further, if a hitter matches the plane of the swing
to the plane of the pitch, and is a little late, she will hit
the bottom-half of the ball, producing backspin, which
gives a ball hit in the air more distance.
If she’s a little early, she’ll hit the top-half of the
ball and produce overspin, exactly what hitters want
on ground balls. Ground balls with overspin pick up
momentum as they travel, producing “bad hops” and
getting by infielders too quickly for them to make a
play.
Matching the plane of the swing to the plane of
the pitch gives the hitter the best of all worlds! Hitters
can be taught to make this mechanical adjustment. The
player’s inherent ability and the “plan” she takes to the
plate, however, will dictate its consistency. It all starts
with the right technique.
It has been argued that the plane of the softball
pitch is flatter than the plane of the baseball pitch
and therefore a down to level swing is preferred. This
argument does have some validity, but the fact of the
matter is the hitter still must reposition herself behind
the axis (“body tilt”) on pitches at her knees (regardless of the degree of “pitch tilt”) to be effective and
not simply hit ground balls. In other words, the hitter
“tilts” to counteract the pitch “tilt.”
Since all softball pitches (fastballs, drops, curves,
changeups) sink and are going “down” when passing
the hitter (yes, even the “rise ball” by virtue of gravity), common sense should dictate that a hitter should
counteract this by matching her swing plane to the
pitch plane.
With rotational hitters, the lower the pitch, the
steeper the swing planes. Conversely, the higher the
pitch, the flatter the swing plane. The last thing a hitter
should want is to “swing down at a pitch going down.”
If she does, she helps the pitcher become a winner.
I was listening to a high school fastpitch coach who
was talking to her pitchers about the merits of throwing
ground balls. Twenty minutes later, she walked over to
her position players and worked with them on hitting
ground balls.
Why would anyone teach hitters to do exactly what
pitchers want them to do?
Stay “Inside” the Ball
We also hear coaches and parents telling hitters to
stay “inside” the ball. Far too many simply parrot this
information and don’t explain it, leaving hitters to try
to figure it out for themselves. My experience is that
it doesn’t get explained because most do not know
what it means.
The correct definition of staying “inside” the ball is
“the hands follow the rotating body around its axis.”
Even with the correct definition in hand, the overriding problem is it is virtually impossible for the linear
hitter to stay “inside” the ball. Their body (and swing)
goes from back to front and doesn’t rotate! Over the
years we have bred a generation of linear hitters who
all hit “around” the ball because their mechanics made
it impossible to do otherwise.
In spite of this linear swing “deficiency,” coaches
and parents still exhort linear hitters to stay “inside”
the ball without realizing how frustrating this is for
the linear hitter to comply with. Rotational hitters do
not have this problem. Their hands work in a circular
path as they follow their rotating bodies around their
axes.
Staying “inside” the ball keeps the swing compact,
enables the hitter to be short to the ball, allows hitters to
keep “inside” pitches “fair” and allows them to swing
a slightly longer and slightly heavier bat for added
momentum and leverage. An added plus is rotational
hitters excel at situational hitting because of their ability to hit either ground balls, fly balls, or line drives.
When potential is the goal, knowledge is a must.
This not only applies to hitters, but to coaches and
instructors as well.
Pros and Cons
Make no mistake here; neither technique is “perfect.” Each system has its own arguments or considerations for and against their use. As I stated earlier,
the wise instructor matches what she knows to the
particular hitter she is tutoring. I have found that the
linear technique may work best for the Singles/Contact
type hitter while the rotational technique has worked
best for the line Drive/Gap and Pure Power types. The
key here is to have the information and teaching knowledge to offer the hitter a choice, one that caters to her
particular body type and genetic abilities. Otherwise,
we would see FedEx trucks entering the Indianapolis
500 and Corvettes delivering packages!
To me, nothing is worse than a hitter with little
size and/or strength who hits mostly fly balls. There’s
certainly little future in that. However, it is equally
distasteful for me to see a hitter that does have the size
and/or strength to not hit the majority of pitches in the
air, because she has been taught to pound pitches into
the ground. There’s little future for that type hitter,
also.
Common Questions
Let’s face it. Hitters hit pitchers’ mistakes. When a
pitcher makes good pitches and has good “stuff,” that
day, it’s going to be frustrating for a lot of hitters, no
matter whether the hitter is linear or rotational. However, pitchers make mistakes. Lots of them. The key
is for the hitter to take advantage of these mistakes.
Much depends on the hitter’s technique and being able
to make adjustments.
For this reason, I am amazed by all the coaches
who ask questions like, “How do rotational hitters hit
the low-outside pitch” or “How do rotational hitters hit
the pitch up?” How? As explained earlier, they make
adjustments to the pitch location. Because they can!
Hitting the low outside pitch: Pitchers throw to
this area because it is harder to make contact (further
away from the eyes) and more difficult to generate
power. The hitter must wait longer in order to hit the
outside pitch deeper in her contact zone, thus generating a length of stroke that is too short (bringing about
less momentum). Additionally, because pitches thrown
down in the zone “sink,” it makes it much more difficult
for a hitter swinging down or level to hit it. If they do
hit it, very little “damage” results.
Linear hitters are taught to come forward to hit
the low outside pitch, but in so doing, the lead knee
flexes to accommodate this movement, and lunging
ensues. The result is normally a ground ball to an
offside infielder.
Rotational hitters are taught to tilt rearward more
to swing level to the ball. When executed correctly by
the hitter, assuming the timing is correct (she has let
the ball get deeper to accommodate the pitch location),
a line drive is normally generated.
Do rotational hitters hit the outside pitch? Of
course they do. Not as well as they hit the pitch threequarters of the plate “in.” To hit the outside pitch they
let the ball get deep. I often hear fastpitch coaches tell
hitters that rotational hitters don’t/can’t hit the outside
pitch. If they couldn’t, 95 percent of baseball’s Hall of
See Rotational Hitting, next page
Fastpitch Delivery
February 2006
Page 29
Drills, Drills, More Drills
Hitting & Team Defense
By Mike Smith
Head Coach, California Baptist University
Name of Drill:
Lightning
(i.e. Two-T drill, top hand/bottom hand, behind toss, etc.)
Purpose:
Large amount of reps in hitting and allowing the defense to see balls off the bat.
Equipment Needed:
Buckets of balls, empty buckets, bases, bats, pitching screen
Explanation:
We divide our hitters up into groups based on positions and player numbers. 16 players (4 groups
of 4 with like positions, i.e. outfielders and infielders). Sometimes you will have uneven groups
and that’s fine. Just one less position in the field shagging. Place them in opposite groups. Group
1 (infielders), Group 2 (outfielders), Group 3 (infielders), Group 4 (outfielders). One group will be
live on the field hitting, one group will be in the cage and drill area, two groups shagging (in their
positions). The coach or person throwing live on the field will be behind the pitching screen about
30 feet from home plate. This person will be throwing short toss or whichever way then can throw
consistent strikes. You don’t need a catcher for this drill, unless you would like to put one there. The
group on the field hitting live will take 5 to 6 rounds depending on what you would like to work on
that day. Round #1 – three sac bunts and 5 cuts, Round #2 – three hit and runs and 5 cuts, Round
#3 – three score runner from third base and 5 cuts, Round #4 - 5 cuts, Round #5 – 5 cuts, Round
#6 – base bits. (Hitters continues to hit as long as it is a hit; coaches decide.) You may do more
base hit rounds depending on time. The player hitting will run out the last ball hit in each round to
1B, just like a game situation. You may want to have your players run to 2B or even 3B.
The group that is in the cage and T-work area can be doing different drills selected by the coach.
The two groups in the field, should be playing every ball off the bat as live as possible. Infielders
throw to 1B every time on a ground ball (empty bucket should be placed by 1B for balls) and outfielders work on fly ball skills (going back on ball, coming up, balls in the gap, etc.) Empty bucket
should be placed in foul territory, manned by a pitcher to place in bucket.
Each group should take about 15 minutes, so each hitter is receiving 25-30 live cuts, plus skill
work (bunting, H & R, scoring runner from 3B). The key to the drill is your pitcher being able to
throw consistent strikes. You may work on outside or inside pitches depending on how consistent
your pitcher throwing is.
This is how I organize it on a practice schedule:
LIGHTNING
Station #1
Station #2
Station #3
LIVE (ON FIELD)
CAGE (Machine)
SHAG
Rd. 1 – 3 sac bunts - 5 cuts 5 bunts - 20 cuts
Rd. 2 – 3 H & R - 5 cuts
top hand / bottom hand
Rd. 3 – 3 score run - 5 cuts T-work w/ balls
Rd. 4 – 5 cuts
Thunderstick w/ golf ball wiffles
Rd. 5 – 5 cuts
soft toss
Rd. 6 – base hits
Station #4
SHAG
Group/Team 1
Group/Team 2
Group/Team 3
Group/Team 4
LIVE
CAGE
SHAG
SHAG
Place INF Players Place OF Players Place INF Players Place OF Players
Rotational Hitting
Continued from previous page
Fame hitters would have failed, because whether it’s
softball or baseball, throwing the low outside pitch
(for strikes) is a pitcher’s ticket to success. Another of
Williams’s brilliant statements on hitting was, “History
is made on the inside-half of the plate.” Because to hit
this pitch, the hitter must hit the pitch out in front of
their lead knee (instead of the back hip on an outside
pitch). Now the hitter has maximized her length of
stroke and momentum. This results in greater bat speed
and power.
The blatant truth is very few hitters are successful
if the pitcher is “on” that day and consistently making
tough pitches on the outside corner. No matter which
technique the hitter uses. Mistakes are a hitter’s best
friend.
Hitting the inside pitch: When pitchers make mistakes, they are generally made in two areas: “in” and
“up.” In my experience, for a hitter to be successful,
she must be able to “jump on” these mistakes. But
what if what we teach hitters keeps them from hitting
these pitches? If so, we have unintentionally limited a
hitter’s chances for success. If a pitcher is able to hit
the inside corner consistently, few hitters will be successful. But, if she misses by an inch or so out over
the plate, LOOK OUT! A rotational hitter will crush
the pitch because of her technique. A linear hitter will
probably get jammed because she doesn’t rotate and
therefore doesn’t stay inside the ball.
Hitting the high pitch: High pitches are a pitcher’s
nightmare because they have already given the hitter
the elevation she needs to hit the ball a long way. In
other words, it is much easier to do damage with a pitch
in this area. While it would appear that a high pitch
would favor a linear hitter because of her level or down
swing, the fact still remains that pitchers are not taught
to throw there. Fastpitch pitchers are taught to throw
at the knees, so having a “grooved” swing that is level
to the ground makes hitting tough if that is where the
majority of pitches are thrown. If this is the case, and
most pitches are thrown low (knees), how does she hit
a pitch in that location with a level swing?
Hitting the “rise” ball: This pitch “troubles” every
fastpitch hitter we instruct. It seems they are petrified by it! In reality, the rise ball is no different than
baseball’s “split finger” pitch. They are similar because
they are “chase pitches” and not intended to be thrown
for strikes. If they are thrown for strikes, they are usually a “mistake” and become good pitches to hit. Rise
balls are customarily thrown when the hitter is behind
in the count or has two strikes. Moreover, these pitches
are not thrown as hard as “drops” or fastballs. So if
the hitter is predisposed to coming forward (linear),
it is difficult to brake their forward movement. Pitchers change speeds to fool the hitter and get her on her
front foot. I would advise against a technique that
promotes the hitter doing what the pitcher is trying to
get her to do!
IF the hitter is facing a pitcher that day whose rise
ball is one of her effective pitches and she will throw
it at any time and in any count situation, then the hitter
can “look” for it (anticipate) with less than two strikes.
To hit it, she must consciously level out her swing by
staying more upright on the axis and leveling out her
shoulders in order to be level to the ball.
No major league hitter looks for Roger Clemens‘s
splitter unless their back is to the wall (two strikes). If
Clemens wants to throw it with less than two strikes, so
be it. They won’t swing; it’s too difficult to hit. Softball
hitters must learn to think like a pitcher when they are
hitting. If they don’t, neither linear nor rotational hitting mechanics will help.
The “Best” Technique
Which technique is right? The “best” technique
is one which takes advantage of an individual hitter’s
innate capabilities. In other words, “cloning” each hitter regardless of hitting types makes for hitters losing
interest in the game. Coaches should adjust what they
teach their hitters to best take advantage of their special
assets, whether it is the rotational or linear technique.
By doing so, everyone comes out ahead. The coach
fields a strong offensive team and the individual players
have “fun.” And, the truth is I’ve never known a hitter
that had “fun” hitting .150.
Why make a tough thing like hitting—tougher?
Good luck, continued success, and “get a good
pitch to hit!”
Mike Epstein is one of America’s top hitting analysts, instructors, speakers, and published writers. He
was an All-American at Cal-Berkeley and played professionally for the Orioles, Senators, A’s, Rangers, and
Angels from 1966 through 1974. He mentored under
Ted Williams for 10 years and has since been coaching
and instructing baseball and softball hitters. For more
information, go to <mikeepsteinhititng.com>.
Fastpitch Delivery
Page 30
February 2006
★★★Bulletin Board★★★
Clinics
Tournament Openings
Northwestern State Looking for Tournament Teams
St. Louis Coaches Clinic
Northwestern State, a Division I school and a member of the Southland
Conference located in Natchitoches, La., is seeking five teams to compete
in the 2007 NSU Invitational.
The tournament will be hosted Feb. 23-25, 2007 and will be a fivegame guarantee.
The tournament has a $200 entry fee. Spots will be awarded on a
first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, contact head coach Becky McMurtry at (318)
357-4234 or by e-mail at mcmurtryb@nsula.edu.
A coaches clinic will be held March 4, 2006, in St. Louis, Mo., at Fontbonne University. The lead clinician will be Dr. Dot Richardson, two-time
Olympic Gold Medalist and 15-time ASA All-American.
The cost of the clinic is $65 and includes a 200-page manual.
For more information, contact John Conway at (314) 435-8747 or by
e-mail at jconway@toberson.com.
UCLA Looking for Division I Teams
NFCA Seeks E-mail Addresses
The University of California, Los Angeles, is seeking to fill three spots
available in its Stacy Winsberg Tournament at Easton Stadium March
2-4, 2007.
All teams will play two games per day in a round robin schedule.There
is no entry fee and UCLA will supply all balls necessary for play.
For more information, contact assistant coach Kelly Inouye-Perez at
(310) 206-7349, or by e-mail at kinouye@athletics.ucla.edu.
Other
As the NFCA continues to streamline its correspondence methods, we
will begin sending more and more information to our members through
their e-mail addresses.
Double check that we have your correct e-mail address by logging on
to <www.nfca.org>. Click on the Members Area button on the left side of
the front page, log in to the NFCA secured server to view your membership
profile, and make any appropriate changes to your profile as they arise.
Dynamic Warm-ups
Continued from page 25
the rope as you go. To calibrate the length of the rope,
step onto the middle of the rope and bring the handles
together. Stand tall and adjust the rope until the bottom
of the handles is even with your armpit.
While performing these drills, jump only high
enough to clear the rope. Many individuals jump excessively high and have to slow the rope speed to compensate. Assume a good rhythm and stay relaxed.
Two-Feet – Keep your feet together and bounce
using the ankle joint and calf musculature without letting your heals touch the floor. Keep a slight bend in
the knee and hip joints and keep your head up.
One Foot Right/Left – Using the same criteria as
above, stay on your right or left foot for the entire drill.
Focus on your balance. You should not deviate from
your starting point.
Alternate Feet – Alternate feet on each rope rotation. Try to stay relaxed and keep your feet close to
the ground
High Knees – Drive the knee up until you achieve
a 90-degree hip angle. When you drive the knee up,
dorsiflex the foot. The foot should stop directly under
the knee, creating a 90-degree angle at the knee joint.
Keep a tall spine and do not lean or round your back
with the knee drive. If you have trouble maintaining
your posture, lower the height of the knee-drive until
your mobility improves. Make sure the knees come
directly up in front of the body and return to their
original start location.
Side To Side – Keep your feet together as if they
are in one shoe. Jump side to side (one direction per
rotation) without any linear deviation. Try to stay tall
and maintain a good posture.
Linear Scissors – Start with one foot in front of
the other. Switch every rotation.
Backward – Use the same criteria as the Two-Feet
drill except rotate the rope backwards. Be sure to stay
tall.
Movement Preparation Warm-Up
Jog – Jog for three to five minutes. Start at a comfortable pace, and increase until you perspire.
High Knees – Drive the knee up until the thigh is
parallel to the floor and dorsiflex the ankle (toes up).
There should be a 90-degree angle at the hip and knee.
Keep the head up and maintain a hips/spine tall posture
during the entire drill. The arm action should appose the
leg action. As you drive the high-knee-leg back down,
the concomitant elbow should drive down and back.
Rotate the arm about the shoulder and avoid excessive
extension of the elbow joint. Maintain approximately
90 degrees of flexion at the elbow joint and use a range
of motion where the hand travels from the lower face
to hip pocket. The arm action should oppose the leg
action but should be equally aggressive. Aggressively
drive the leg down and through the floor.
Butt Kickers – Start with an aggressive jog. Keep
your spine tall and you’re your eyes forward. Concentrate on an aggressive arm drive (down and back),
keeping your elbows bent to 90 degrees and rotating at
your shoulders. Forcefully snap your heels back until
they come in contact with the buttocks.
Sumo Squat Walk – Squat into a deep squat as
described in the squat and press (minus the medball)
with the arms fully extended in front of the body for
balance. Push your knees out laterally until they are
directly over you heels. Keeping your weight on your
heels with toes forward and maintaining this squatted
position, walk forward.
Elbow To In-step – Take a maximal step forward
with either foot. As you step, reach out with the same
side arm and touch the elbow as close as you can to the
ground at the in-step of the front foot. Try to lower you
shoulders as deep as possible. Your front-knee angle
should be greater than 90 degrees. Return to the top
and step back so your feet are together. Step out with
the other foot and repeat.
Feet To Hands – Start in a push up position. Keep
your core tight and maintain a straight line from your
shoulder though your hip to your heel. Keep your
knees locked as you use your ankles to walk your
feet as close to your hands as your hamstring and calf
flexibility will allow. You should end with your heels
and the palms of your hands flat on the ground. Try
to straighten your legs, which should put your hamstrings and calf muscles into a stretch. If you do not
feel the stretch move your feet forward or lower your
shoulders by bending slightly at the elbows. Once you
have achieved the stretch, contract you quadriceps
maximally for two seconds. Use this contraction to
further stretch your posterior leg musculature. Relax
your quads and try to straighten your legs a little more.
Walk your hands forward until you have resumed a
perfect push-up position.
Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a Strength and
Conditioning Specialist and Softball Coach, with
advanced studies and graduate work in exercise physiology, sport psychology, and coaching science. He is
also running a website on performance enhancement,
training and conditioning for softball at <softballperformance.com>. He can be reached by phone at (514)
296-3644 or by e-mail at marc@softballperformance.
com.