Girl’s Windmill Pitching Volum e 398 July 22, 2013 How Are Things Shaping Up? Here we are in the middle of July with over half the summer season gone. It is time to evaluate a few things beginning with yourself. Remember back to the season beginning and of course everyone was full of anticipation of how well things would go, and now look at yourself at this point. Did you set goals for yourself at the beginning of the season? Are you progressing toward reaching those goals? Some pitchers may have wanted to walk less batters, maybe strike out a few more, maybe cut down the ERA and hits per game. All of these are very achievable goals and you should be on your way to attaining them by now. If not, why not? Don’t look at the team yet. Don’t look at the coaches yet. Look at yourself. I know it’s pretty easy to make excuses. We are good at that. The team makes too many errors behind me. The coach pitches me in the hard games. It was too hot. We were on the field playing too long. They didn’t call the right pitches. The coach yells at me. The coach pulls me too soon. The other team had giants. (I really love that one.) Maybe every single excuse above is true but where is your responsibility in the mix. Is everything that happens the fault of someone else? If so, here’s a clue. You are not a leader. You are not a team player. You are not going to make it in college if you even make a team in college. Cold, hard facts! That’s how it is. Once again, I ask “How are things shaping up?” We are talking about your individual performance, not that of your team as a whole. You can improve your performance and when you do, you actually improve the performance of the team. When you say “They make too many errors behind me” I ask what is your proportion of strikes to balls? When you say “They pitch me in all the hard games” I ask what is your Earned Run Average? Do you realize any runs that score while you are pitching do not count against you if they reach base by error or score due to error? When you say “they didn’t call the right pitches” I ask if you threw the pitches where you should have thrown them? When you say “the coach yells at me” I ask why? When you say “The coach pulls me too soon” I ask what was happening on the field that caused his/her action? Bill Dryden
Transcript
Girl’s Windmill Pitching
Volum e 398 July 22, 2013
How Are Things Shaping Up?
Here we are in the middle of July with over half the summer season gone. It is time to evaluate a few thingsbeginning with yourself.
Remember back to the season beginning and of course everyone was full of anticipation of how well thingswould go, and now look at yourself at this point.Did you set goals for yourself at the beginning of the season?Are you progressing toward reaching those goals?Some pitchers may have wanted to walk less batters, maybe strike out a few more, maybe cut down the ERA andhits per game. All of these are very achievable goals and you should be on your way to attaining them by now.If not, why not?Don’t look at the team yet. Don’t look at the coaches yet.Look at yourself.I know it’s pretty easy to make excuses. We are good at that.The team makes too many errors behind me. The coach pitches me in the hard games. It was too hot. We wereon the field playing too long. They didn’t call the right pitches. The coach yells at me. The coach pulls me toosoon. The other team had giants. (I really love that one.)Maybe every single excuse above is true but where is your responsibility in the mix. Is everything that happensthe fault of someone else? If so, here’s a clue. You are not a leader. You are not a team player. You are not goingto make it in college if you even make a team in college.Cold, hard facts! That’s how it is.Once again, I ask “How are things shaping up?”We are talking about your individual performance, not that of your team as a whole. You can improve yourperformance and when you do, you actually improve the performance of the team.When you say “They make too many errors behind me” I ask what is your proportion of strikes to balls?When you say “They pitch me in all the hard games” I ask what is your Earned Run Average? Do you realizeany runs that score while you are pitching do not count against you if they reach base by error or score due toerror?When you say “they didn’t call the right pitches” I ask if you threw the pitches where you should have thrownthem?When you say “the coach yells at me” I ask why?When you say “The coach pulls me too soon” I ask what was happening on the field that caused his/her action?
Bill Dryden
When you say “the other team had giants” I ask if the strike zone is the same for both teams? Are they moreintelligent than you because they are bigger? Does their pitcher get a different strike zone because she is bigger?If they are bigger does that mean you play worse than against smaller girls?
While I admit some of the excuses above have merit, you have responsibility for yourself.Reduce the ERA.Set a goal of 4-1 strikeouts over walks.Set a similar goal for strikes to balls ratio.Reduce the hits per game.Those 3 simple goals are within your control as a pitcher and if you begin to attain them, overall teamperformance will improve when you pitch.Will there still be errors? Yes, no one is perfect but the intangible that will reduce errors is if the defense knowsthat when they make a mistake, there is a pitcher on the mound that has their backs and can get that neededstrikeout or easy play. One feeds on the other. If you make a bad pitch and the batter gets on base because of it,the defense has your back and picks you up. It reduces the tension on pitcher and fielders and when everyoneplays loosely, they play better and make fewer errors, reduce walks, and produce an overall better game.
So think about those goals and try to start attaining them if you haven’t already done it.Only you can improve certain aspects of your game. It is your responsibility.The next time I ask “How are things shaping up” know how close you are to attaining personal goals.
Photos
3 great pitchers. See the Tips section below.
University of Florida’s ace Hannah Rogers
Ivy Refro University of TN
University of Maryland Softball bus meets flying turkey. Bus win...for
the most part anyway.
Ivy Renfro University of TN
Contact a Delaware Storm member to get your chance to win this truck or various cash prizes. Allproceeds benefit the Mackenzie Travis Education Foundation. If you don’t know a Storm memberContact Jerry Kirby at [email protected] or Bob Tomlinson at address on the flyer.
Tips In keeping with the theme of this week’s article, here are some stats that illustrate my points.Ellen Renfro U TN
IP 200.2 H 135 R 59 ER 53 BB 72 SO 221
Ivy Renfro U TNIP 150.2 H 111 R 47 ER 38 BB 50 SO 148 Keilani Ricketts U OKIP 238 H 123 R 47 ER 42 BB 53 SO 350Hannah Rogers UFIP 270.2 H192 R 81 ER 66 BB 95 SO 243
These are Division one college pitchers but they will give you an idea of what it takes to be successful.These statistics take into account only the statistics that the pitcher can control. When you set goals usestatistics that you can actually see on paper or computer or whatever, the point being something you cansee and study and chart your progress.
Girl’s Windmill Pitching Check out my website, http://girlswindmillpitching.com. You can find my newsletters, some links, photos,and some of my students’ video clips. Just click on the title in blue above or paste the URL into yourbrowser.
Girl’s Windmill Pitching Private Lessons
I am teaching Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, at the Givens’ Facility west of Georgetown, DE, Thursdays
west of Harrington, DE and Fridays in New Church, VA. If interested contact me at [email protected] slots are available now at all locations.
NEW NEW NEW NEW I am now offering private lessons on Tulls Millpond Road in New Church, VA.From the north take US 13 across the VA line. Turn left directly after the Royal Farms Store on Davis Road. Thenturn left on Tulls Millpond Road and go to the 2 house and turn into the driveway. Follow it back to the concretend
building. This should give us more flexibility with the lessons, allowing me to accept a few more students. Forthose coming from the north, it is only a few minutes farther than the Lower Shore YMCA. Email me if you areinterested in lessons. [email protected]
Competitive Sports PerformanceThis is the website of Dominick Flora, the personal trainer I recommend for all of my private students andevery one I have sent is well satisfied with their improvement since beginning with him. Check out Dom’swebsite or visit his place.Visit his site: Competitive Sports Performance or find Dominick Flora on facebook to see the sport specificworkouts.
Recruiter MOM This link will answer some valuable questions for the parents and student/athletes hoping to becomeprospects. I highly advise you to visit the site that has been set up and researched by Jan Greenhawk byclicking on the title above 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, andformer Head Softball Coach. He is currently the Head Softball Coach of the Delaware Diamonds 18U Blackteam and gives private hitting instruction at his place between Georgetown and Laurel, DE. If you arelooking for a superb, patient instructor to help give you an edge, contact Andy at (302) 228-7960 or emailhim at:[email protected]
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 Ashleythrough her website at: http://www.marykay.com/asomers6/default.aspx , click on the logo above or call herat (302) 228-3829.
Do you see the logo above? That is the logo of the Visalus weight loss and fitness program. Two of mydaughters, their husbands, my wife and myself are on the program and have had great results, losing pounds,increasing energy. The proof is in the photos below:
Seeing is believing. Is it a magic bullet? No! It is a program that can help anyone who is willing to take a challenge. I went to the cardiologist January2 and he told me he didn’t really care about me losing more weight. He just wanted me to stay active. I willnd
shoot for 200 lbs anyway. My heart rate (electrocardiogram) was 56 bpm. My oxygen rate was 98.75% and myblood pressure was 122/70. I feel great and have energy. I am now at 208 which is 42 lbs lighter. My wife Cherylhad knee problems and could not walk much. Once she started the program, she got up to 40 minutes a day onthe elliptical and when we go to Sam’s Club she will say “let’s leave the jeep here and walk to Walmart.” Thatis a world of difference. Ashley and Ray belong to a gym and workout and Kim does a spinning class plus walkstrails.This is a completely new world for all of us and the Visalus program transforms people. It is even certifiedKosher for those who adhere to Jewish diets.Take the 90-day challenge and see the difference.Go to my website at Bill’s 90-day Visalus challenge , step on the mound and take the challenge.
Visalus Family, Son-in-law Bob (down 20lbs), Kim, Cheryl, me, Ray, Ashley
Ashley from spring until now,
down 58 lbs
Cheryl from end of July until Jan6 down 28 lbsMe From end of July until Jan
Morris County Belles OrganizationAugust 10 11 17 18 Saturday and Sundays 14 and 18sPrivate tryouts upon request or if you cannot make those contact me to schedule a tryout. Nick FrungilloPresident-RecruiterMorris County Belles908-803-6446------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern Shore Power will be holding 16u tryouts on Aug 17th at 10am and again on Wednesday night Aug 21th at6pm . Interested girls should call Herb Williams @ 410-430-4047 or email [email protected]
News and Tournament Results
Congratulations to Gabby Henson of the Morris County Belles Gold and Broadneck High School. The 2014 risingsenior has committed to D-II perennial power Loch Haven University. The versatile catcher/first baseman hasadded not only her skills but energy to the Belles roster this year and is very deserving of her reward. Great job by agreat young lady!
Let’s look at some Little League Results!In Delaware 9-10 year old All Star Softball action the Felton/Harrington girls knocked off Camden 14-1 in theiropener. Lexi Stahre got 2 innings in the game and Tuesday they played again with a 22-0 win. Lexi pitched oneinning and struck out 3 while allowing 1 hit. On Wednesday they were sent to the Loser bracket by a 12-1 score.They were eliminated the next game.
Gabrielle (Gabby) Henson of the
M orris County Belles Gold
Jess Reed younger sister of Shaina
Reed of Felton Harrington 9-10 year
old all stars (photo by Cora Reed)
Felton Harrington 9-10 year old all stars prepare for gam e
Sierra Livingston and the Lower Sussex 9-10 year old all stars have been winging their way to the DelawareDistrict 3 championship game. They were ready to play the championship Wednesday, July 10 .th
On Wednesday they won the Delaware District 3 Championship and now it’s on to the Delaware Statechampionship. They won game one of the championship 17-1, then fell in game two 12-5 and game three was setfor Monday night.
I went to Thursday’s USSSA World Series to try and watch a number of my students and got to see Lexi Stahre ofthe Delaware Storm 10U, Amber Williams and Erin Langan of the Eastern Shore Power 14U and Kelsey Hall,Bailey Lambertson and Rylee Covington of the Salisbury Sharkz 12U. I did not get to see Fallon Harvill pitch. Shepitched and won the second game. I had enough of the heat and the humidity and apparently was worse than Ithought by the photos I took. Two words...they sucked!
Sierra Livingston of the Lower
Sussex 9-10 year old All Stars
Lower Sussex 9-10 year old All Stars, Delaware District 3 Cham pions
9
The Morris County Belles Gold played in the NJ Inferno last look showcase this weekend after doing a one dayshowcase Tuesday in Chester, NY and the previous weekend in Binghamton at the Stop DWI Showcase. They havepicked up some wins and despite injuries to two of their pitchers, Katie Baron and Shelby Smith stepped up bigtime to help the team with great pitching and hitting. They now move on to the Tom Doyle Memorial Showcase inEdison, NJ this weekend and the New England’s Finest Showcase in August 2-4.Kat Betts of the Belles Elite team will do an unofficial visit to D-II Caldwell College this Thursday.
The Delaware Storm 18U went 6 and 2 at the Delaware Invitational Tournament this weekend.
Lexi Stahre of the Delaware Storm 10U at USSSA W orld
Series
Kelsey Hall of the Salisbury Sharkz 12U at USSSA W orld
Series
Erin Langan of the Eastern Shore
Power 14U USSSA W orld Series
M arissa Frederick of Delaware Storm 10U at her first world
