Girl’s Windmill PitchingVolume 325 April 27, 2011

A Void To Fill

I was sitting at the computer Thursday cleaning up my template to start another newsletter. Since coming backfrom the winter break I have fallen behind with articles. It used to amaze me that I would be 2 weeks ahead onarticles and when they came out inevitably someone would talk to me and think I had written the article aboutthem and something that happened a couple of days ago. Maybe it was coincidence or maybe it wascorroboration of what I was writing. As it is now I have trouble getting two weeks ahead. When I’m supposed tobe writing I guess I’m picking flowers in my mind.

As I sat there a thought actually entered my mind. Unfortunately it wasn’t a thought contrived solely from mydeep seated ability to originate ideas that will shake the world. It was spurred by the words of a friend, a father,who worried about some aspects of his daughter’s game.I knew what he said was born of not knowing what to do. There was little more he could do. It was out of hishands. He was trying to hold on to it, to make sure his daughter would not face adversity or have to compete fora position, maybe get heartbroken, and it did provoke a thought in me. That thought is in the title of this article.

It becomes a case of when to let go and pass your daughter on in hopes of allowing her to grow as a player and ayoung lady. Holding on in hopes of paving the way more often becomes holding back, particularly if you havenot coached except when you have had your daughter’s team.

While we have trepidations about whether to let go or not, there really is not much choice if we want the best forour daughters. The best for these girls may not be the lower levels of play, although these lower levels performan important service.

Without Class “C” and Class “B” travel ball there are voids to fill because not every player is ready, nor willsome ever be ready for “A” ball and some really don’t want the pressure of playing at that level. There is a nicheto be filled and those levels fill it well, allowing the kids to function as a team, to get exercise and to have somewholesome fun. The same voids are filled by recreational leagues.

If learning the game at the highest level is a priority, if learning how to think more than one base at a time, or

Page 1

one pitch or swing at a time is important to your daughter she must play at a level where she can learn those skills. These are skills that are much more difficult to work on at the lower levels because so many are not readyor willing to work hard. They want to just have fun. There is nothing wrong with that. So there’s no reason toget mad or frustrated by lack of interest or lack of focus. That is one of the reasons your daughter may need tomove. Becoming better requires playing better with better teams who have focus and goals and faces stiffercompetition. Travel ball requires travel. All roads do not lead 30 miles from home or even 50 miles unless youare in a state that has top level teams. It requires sacrifice to get to tournaments that provide solid competition.

So, what are you going to do, Dad?Will you fill the void in your daughter’s softball life?Will you give her a chance to spread her softball wings or will you hold on for fear she isn’t good enough, won’tget playing time, won’t get to hit, pitch, play when she moves out from under your wing.If she isn’t good enough you may as well find out now. If she is, she will get her chances but guess what?You are no longer in control. It is competition. The kid has to want it. She has to work to get it and work to keepit just like at the varsity level and the college level. If she doesn’t have that drive and needs to be coddled andbabied or you need to coddle and baby her, she has little chance of playing in college. She may get to her highschool team if there is not a lot of competition for positions but chances will be remote beyond that.

If you think that I’m wrong and you can provide her with all the coaching she needs, and all the contactsnecessary, think about it again. Are you really that secure in what you can do? If so, go for it. If it works, I’ll tipmy hat to you. If it doesn’t it will be too late. Strike it up to a learning experience. The void between wishing forit and earning it becomes a canyon. It will be too late to fill the void and too large a canyon to traverse.

Last November one of my students talked with me for over an hour in the hotel lobby about changing teams. Iwas in Myrtle Beach watching my pitchers at the main complex and she was playing with her team at one of thesatellite fields. She wanted to move mainly to get more exposure. I knew she was physically capable of playingat the 18U level. As far as mentally or emotionally, I never know. I knew another team was looking for a pitcherand I recommended her. So far the fit has been great. She is happy with the team and they are happy with her. Itdoesn’t always work out but it did in this case. At least she will get good exposure and if she does her job anddoesn’t slack off, she should be able to get a scholarship.

So as a father you will have to make a decision. As a player she will have to make a decision. A parent talked tome recently about his daughter trying out for an “A” level team in the fall. It happened that on that very day Ireceived a call from a coach needing a player. The coach came down and watched her and was very pleased. Sheplayed that weekend and again all parties were pleased. She went to their next practice and said that was whereshe wanted to play. She knew it because of the practice principles and because every player was there for a goal.There was no drama and no horseplay. The girl wanted to play at that level.

When a parent asks me for my opinion about the talent level of the daughter, I am always honest. It may not bewhat they want to hear but it will be what they need to hear. When I tell a parent a student is ready for the nextlevel, believe it! I may qualify it by saying she is physically ready to take it up a notch. Maybe the jury is out onemotional stability or mental toughness and the ability to take coaching. However, you have to move on withthat and hope it comes. If you hold her back because of lack of mental and emotional maturity, the physicalskills will not advance and she will be even more behind the curve. Believe me, I don’t want an immature girlon the mound, making faces or crying and everyone knowing she is my student. In many cases where I haveseen that it is because the parents want to control everything about the kid. They try to micro manage everypitch or swing. The kids never learn to stand on their on in the game and figure things out for themselves. Thebreak down rather than accept responsibility. They find it hard to accept coaching from anyone other than dad ormom. If she and you want to go all in prepare to work and to work harder than you have before to make the jump,don’t ask for guarantees of mound time, at bats, or time in the field. Don’t tell the coach how great she is

Page 2

because coach will see it if it’s there. Don’t worry about how many pitchers the team has and will she get time.The coach can”t tell you until the team has her in the game. Then your daughter can show what she can do. Yourbragging on her means nothing and will actually turn off coaches. They may decide not to take the girl becausethey don’t want to put up with the dad or mom!So, most likely you have figured out if there is a void in your daughter’s game and if it can only be filled byplaying at a higher level. The question is “Are you and she ready to try it”?

Photos

Stephanie Speierman’s fans watch as she delivers a rise ball to a PennState batter

Steph, sister Sam (left), sister Emily (over Steph’s left shoulder andsome of the Maryland Stars players.

Michgan’s Super Bat Dorian Shaw with Christina Warholic

Page 3

Tips

As a coach it is your responsibility to do everything in your power to give your team an edge.One of those responsibilities is learning as much as possible about your opponents. Try watching yourcompetition. Know their strengths and weaknesses. The more you know about who has the strong arm, who issusceptible to the bunt, slap or steal, who hits which pitch well and who doesn’t, the better strategic game youcan play and you may just give yourself and your team the winning edge.

Girl’s Windmill Pitching Website My website, though still undergoing enhancements, is now active. You can find my newsletters, some links,photos, and some of my students’ video clips.I will soon be adding video tips on pitching and hopefully other information. Be sure and bookmark Girl’s Windmill Pitching

Recruiter MOM This link will answer some valuable questions for the parents and student/athletes hoping to become prospects. Ihighly advise you to visit the site that has been set up and researched by Jan Greenhawk by clicking on the titleabove or by pastinghttp://recruitermom.org/index.html in your browser. Check this link. I’ve gotten good feedback.

Andy Givens’ Hitting InstructionAndy Givens is the former Delaware Technical and Community College Assistant Baseball Coach, and formerHead Softball Coach. He is currently the Head Softball Coach of the Delaware Diamonds 18U team and gives

private hitting instruction at his place between Georgetown and Laurel, DE. If you are looking for a superb,patient instructor to help give you an edge, contact Andy at (302) 228-7960 or email him

at:ragivens@verizon.net

Demonstrating “staying open”.I always say “watch me, not theball.” They all listen JUSTLIKE LIVVY!

Demonstrating wrist snap togranddaughter Livvy. Herbrother Drew is catching.

Great form Livvy, but wronghand

Page 4

My daughter, Ashley is a Mary Kaye Director in Qualification. If anyone is interested in becoming arepresentative to earn extra income or if you wish to purchase products or host a party contact Ashley through

her website at: http://www.marykay.com/asomers6/default.aspx , click on the logo above or call her at (302) 228-3829.

Holli Adkins (cymphotography)'s Home

http://cymphotography.smugmug.com

Welcome to the world of photography by Danny & Holli Adkins. We originally started taking photos for friends and family, who could not afford the high dollar photographers. Capture Your Moment Photography was then born. Our experience includes: Weddings, Family & Individual Portraits, Team Photos and Animals. Our goal is to deliver services that are affordable, enjoyable and professional to your specific needs.Our website can meet your every need. We have a variety of print sizes and speciality prints are available uponrequest. "Picture" gifts are the perfect presents! Check out those gifts which includes: shirts, sweatshirts,puzzles, mousepads, clocks and coffee mugs.Questions? Please e-mail us at cymphotography@yahoo.com.

Girl’s Windmill Pitching Lessons and ClinicsGirl’s Windmill Pitching conducts private lessons and clinics year around. Our private lessons are conductedMondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays near Georgetown, Delaware. On Fridays we have private sessions at theLower Shore Family YMCA in Pocomoke City, MD. We also conduct late fall and winter pitching clinicswhich are group sessions.We have finished our winter clinics. If you would like to schedule a clinic or register for private lessons, pleasecontact us at: billdryden1@girlswindmillpitching.com or billdryden1@comcast.net

Page 5

News and Tournament Results

My youngest daughter Ashley and her husband Ray are expecting their second child in early December. Thiswill make 12 grandchildren. I’ll need a 2 mortgage to pay for Christmas gifts.nd

The University of Michigan, fresh off it’s first number 1 ranking since 2005 took a double-header from PennState Wednesday nigh, April 20 . Jordan Taylor picked up a 5-4 win in game one while Stephanie Speiermanth

recorded her 18 win in the nightcap. Stephanie pitched 5 complete innings, yielding 2 runs on 8 hits with 1th

walk and 8 K’s. She left in the 6 with 2 runners on and no outs and Taylor came in to shut down the inning.th

She eventually gave up a 2-run homer in the 7 but held on for the 5-4 win and her 7 save of the season.th th

Coach Paul Wetmore of Liberty University picked up his 500 win April 20 with a 7-1 defeat of Norfolk State.th

Congratulations to my long time friend. Annah Brittingham will be there this weekend on an unofficial visit.

James M Bennett high defeated Pocomoke Wednesday 9-8. Elspeth Schalk (Maryland Stars18U) had 2-runhomer for the Clippers while Annah Brittingham (Morris County Belles Gold) had a double and RBI.Brittingham also stroked a deep fly to center which was caught over the fence and brought back in, resulting in asacrifice fly.In a Thursday rematch Annah picked up the win in relief. She had a walk-off 2-run homer, a single, reached onan error, had a 3 RBI and a walk in the 5-3 win.rd

Melony Showell (Mid-Atlantic Lady Shockers) pitched a 6-5 win for Sussex Academy of Arts and ScienceMiddle over Georgetown Middle.

Ashley Banks pitched 5 innings for Indian River High in a 9-7 win.

Thursday night Tennessee took on Mississippi State and it was a nail biter with the Lady Vols pulling off a 2-0win. Lauren Gibson was 1 for 3 but Friday was much different as Ivy Renfro pitched a no-hitter and the teamwon 8-0. Lauren was 2 for 2 with a stolen base, scored a run, had a double and 2 walks. On Saturday Stateturned the tide and brought the Lady Volunteers’ Southeast Conference win streak of 13 to an unlucky halt by ascore of 3-2. Gibson again however, was not stymied and went 1 for 2 with 2 walks as teams are getting the ideathat she hits well and Lauren is getting more balls to look at than strikes.

Tori Brown (Md Stars 18U) and the Linganore Lancers beat Thomas Johnson High 14-6. Brown had 4 hitsincluding a double and got the pitching win with 9 K’s.

Liberty University Coach Paul Wetmore gets 500 winth

Page 6

It had to happen eventually. Stephanie Speierman, the sophomore pitcher from the University of Michiganfinally lost the first game of her career. After coming in as a freshman and going 6 and 0, she returned for her 2nd

season and was 18 and 0 when Iowa stopped her streak with a 4-2 win Saturday. She gave up 9 hits and theWolverines has numerous chances to score runs but could only muster 2. On Sunday she took the mound againand gave up a solo homer. The team was losing 1-0 after four innings. Stephanie was sent out to warm up in the5 , but was pulled before the inning started. Another pitcher came in and gave up another run. The scoreth

remained 2-0 until the bottom of the 7 when Michigan rallied to get the win. Stephanie got no decision.th

In a rematch of a game in which Stephen Decatur defeated Pocomoke, the results were the same but one of theplayers had different results. In the previous game Decatur 3b/pitcher Jesci Iacona (Delaware Storm 18U) wenthitless but revenge was on her mind and was sweet in this game as she once again pitted her hitting abilityagainst Annah Brittingham’s (Morris County Belles Gold) pitching ability. Iacona owned the day, going 3 for 4with a solo homer, a 3-run homer, a double, 4 RBI’s, a stolen base, and 3 runs scored. In addition AmandaParsons (Maryland Magic Orange 16U) tacked on a 2 for 3 effort with a double, a stolen base and 2 RBI’s.Taylor Black (Delaware Diamonds 14U Gray was 1 for 3 with an RBI in the 8-2 victory. For PocomokeBrittingham tried to help her own cause going 2 for 3 with a pair of singles.

Katie O’Neal pitched a 9-inning game that her Washington High team lost to Parkside 7-6. Brittany Donaldspicked up the win.

Sam Muir (Delaware Diamonds 18U Black) and Wicomico lost to Mardela 9-3.

Page 7