Girl`s Windmill Pitching The Fall Classic

Girl’s Windmill Pitching
Volume 379
October 10, 2012
B ill D ryd en
The Fall Classic
It was a spectacular fall Friday when Cheryl and I left Delmar for Edison, NJ and the Team New Jersey Fall
Classic Showcase. I was looking forward to not only working with the Morris County Belles Gold, but we were
also going to Bridgewater to watch the Morris County Belles Elite play. They were short on players,
particularly pitching due to an injury and the death of one of their pitcher’s close friends and Nick had asked me
if I had any pitchers to help them out. The Delaware Storm allowed them to borrow Nikki Mendes, one of my
unsigned senior students, and hard throwing Maggie Cannon, who plays for the Storm 12U (you heard right,
12U). We shot for another of Jerry Kirby’s pitchers first (not one of mine) but when we that one didn’t respond
in time I had to do something and Jerry gave me permission to contact Maggie’s dad. Bob Cannon quickly
jumped at the opportunity and off Maggie and he went Thursday evening.
Friday we arrived in time for their 2nd game. We missed the first one and apparently Maggie came in that game
to pitch with the bases loaded and one out. One of the reasons I sent her is because that doesn’t bother her in the
least. She is that “give me the ball” type of pitcher. They scored one run off of her and she got out of the inning
with no further damage.
Nikki got some mound time with them but the college coaches were most impressed with her running ability.
By the time I got there she had already used it to impress a D-I school and a couple more schools. By the time
she finished playing with the Elite and the Gold team7 colleges left their business cards for her and asked that
she contact them. That was thanks to the Magic of Nick Frungillo, President and recruiter for the Belles
organization. Nikki and Charlie (Nikki’s dad) were quite impressed.
In game two of the Belles Elite schedule, I did get to see Maggie play first base very well and came in the game
to try to close out an inning. With runners on base and the game on the line, she made one pitch to get a weak
ground ball to 2nd and they were again out of the inning.
After that it was time to get to Edison and time for the Belles Gold to start.
Over the course of the weekend the Belles played 4 games (2 Friday and 2 Saturday) and were rained out before
they started Sunday.
We had some milestones along the way. Amanda (DUH) Parsons hit her first homer in a Belles uniform and it
proved to be the eventual game winner. Sarah Freyre, the Belles senior corner player verbally committed to
Middlebury, leaving the team with only 2 uncommitted 2013 graduates.
During a play at the plate Katie Baron and a player from Florida Ultimate Gold collided and both girls were
injured. Katie sustained a concussion and will not be able to play in the NJ Outlaws Showcase but will be ready
for Virginia Beach. You’re a tough one “Tall Princess of the Pitcher’s Mound.”
At the Hampton Inn I saw long time friend Randy Johnson. Randy is heavily involved with Delaware Magic
and is the Head Coach of the prestegious Caravel Academy, a perennial softball high school power in
Delaware. He was at the tournament supporting some of his girls who Play summer ball for the Pennsbury
Gems Gold. The reporter in me drove me to ask him about the rumor that he may take over the Sussex Tech
softball program. He quickly dispelled any such talk by telling me he has no intentions of leaving Caravel.
We talked a bit about how playing ball at tournaments like Team New Jersey is such an eye opener.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rutgers assistant coach Ryan McMullen, who I had exchanged emails with
several times but hadn’t met in person.
There were a few unusual things that happened while we were there like Taylor Pechin deciding she didn’t have
to eat breakfast at a table and instead just bellied up to the buffet bar. She swears she was waiting for her waffle
to finish, but I’m not so sure. All weekend Kaylie Perry kept changing her nickname on me. We went from
squirrel to mole to chipmunk to rug rat. I couldn’t figure out who I was addressing.
A highlight for sure was the return of Cassandra Squeri, the 2013 pitcher who has been absent due to injury.
She looked very good on the mound. Cass is easy to work with and has a very disarming smile.
I have to give a shout out to Kaylie Perry. She has an uncanny ability to track a ball in the outfield, a strong
arm, and knows what to do with the ball once she has it. She is impressing the Head Coach Don Keimel and
college coaches.
Another shout out to Sarah Freyre. Sarah is a beast at 3rd base. She has cat-like reactions and Middlebury is
getting a fantastic young lady. She made some terrific plays and had key hits.
Shaina Reed did a superb job on the mound against the Virginia Legends.
Katie Baron, Taylor Pechin, and Shelby Smith also did well on the mound.
This was the first time Shelby Smith’s dad, Glenn had seen Nick Frungillo do his thing with the college
coaches. Glenn said “Mr. Bill, he never stops! He never sits down!” That’s right Glenn and you know
something else? He gets hunted down by the coaches. They look for him as much as he looks for them.
Even guest players get the same attention from him that the regular roster gets.
He’s already got 7th grader, Maggie Cannon on a D-I watch list. Elusive to some, seldom photographed by any
but ever working!
I had the opportunity to work with a great young lady with the Belles Elite team. Blair Morsel is her name and
her last name must have been given to her by size. She is a small 2016 graduate but
C atcher B lair M orsel
if you think she play according to her size you are quite wrong. She is a fantastic catcher with a super strong
arm and can put a jolt into the ball with her bat. I saw her launch one almost out of the park Saturday night.
That evening the Gold team sent some players to play with the Elite and get some more time on the field.
Shelby Smith and Taylor Pechin went to get mound time and Shaina Reed went to get field and plate time.
Blair was calling pitches and I told her that when the other team came up for the 2nd time against Shelby, make
sure she started working in the inside rise and change-up in order to keep them off balance. I said especially if
you see them begin to foul pitches back we have to change things a little. Blair looked at me and said “Do you
want me to do it after they foul 2 off or 3?” I must have just looked at her or maybe I called her name. She said
“Do you want me to just go with it?” I replied “yes, just go with it.” What a great kid!
It was nice to see how the Gold team is beginning to gel as a team and support each other.
I always have a great time and Team New Jersey and with the Morris County Belles and this was no different.
It’s always memorable and the Belles certainly insure that.
Photos
K atie B aron show s great m echanics before concussion (Jenn
C ooper Photo)
B ack from the hospital, K atie B aron exhibits w ar
w ould from collision that resulted in concussion.
In the background in orange is Jessie Sm ith,
m other of B elles pitcher Shelby Sm ith and cut
partially from the foreground of the photo...you
guessed it...the elusive, seldom photographed N ick
F rungillo
Sarah F reyre of the M orris C ounty
B elles G old has com m itted to
M iddlebury
C atch the infectious sm ile of pitcher, C ass Squeri surrounded by G ianna K inhofer
leaving for som e reason, A m anda Parsons to C ass’s im m ediate left, K atie B aron
som ew hat secreted aw ay by num ber 24, Sarah F reyre (photo by Jenn C ooper)
N ice “L”, loose elbow , long arm , level shoulders, all in line
(photo by Jenn C ooper)
C ass show s a good load as she begins to deliver a pitch
H igh fives for A m anda Parsons and her hom e run (photo by
Jenn C ooper)
Tips
Some people wonder why I have some 11 and 12-year-old girls who throw so hard.
It’s not a big secret. The faster ones are strong, practice a lot, have nice mechanics, and above all, don’t
worry. They don’t aim or guide the ball or worry “is it going to be a strike or will I hit the batter.”
They pitch the ball, period. If you practice often and use good mechanics, you can let the ball go
without worrying. If you are micro-managing every pitch, you will not be successful. When you are on
the mound, mechanics take over. Surgeons don’t undertake procedures with trepidations. Professionals
go into ventures without trepidations. Your approach to pitching should be the same. In order to be
confident and successful, practice with good mechanics.
Girl’s Windmill Pitching
Check out my website, 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 your
browser.
Girl’s Windmill Pitching Private Lessons
I am currently giving one on one 30-minute private pitching instructions on Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday in the Georgetown, DE area and Fridays at the Lower Shore Family YMCA. I am now
offering private lessons in the Harrington, DE area. If you are interested in lessons at either of the
venues, let me know.
Contact me at [email protected]
Recruiter MOM
This link will answer some valuable questions for the parents and student/athletes hoping to become
prospects. I highly advise you to visit the site that has been set up and researched by Jan Greenhawk by
clicking on the title above or by pasting
http://recruitermom.org/index.html in your browser. Check this link. I’ve gotten good feedback.
Andy Givens’ Hitting Instruction
Andy Givens is the former Delaware Technical and Community College Assistant Baseball Coach, and
former Head Softball Coach. He is currently the Head Softball Coach of the Delaware Diamonds 18U
Black team and gives private hitting instruction at his place between Georgetown and Laurel, DE. If you
are looking for a superb, patient instructor to help give you an edge, contact Andy at (302) 228-7960 or
email him at:[email protected]
My daughter, Ashley is a Mary Kaye Director in Qualification. If anyone is interested in becoming a
representative to earn extra income or if you wish to purchase products or host a party contact Ashley
through her website at: http://www.marykay.com/asomers6/default.aspx , click on the logo above or call
her at (302) 228-3829.
Do you see the logo above? That is the logo of the Visalus weight loss and fitness program. Two of my
daughters and their husbands got on the program and have had great results, losing pounds, increasing
metabolism, feeling energetic and having overall health improvement. Now my wife has is starting it and they
have me convinced.
People are able to leave their cholesterol and blood pressure medicines! I would love that but only when my
cardiologist advises me to do it. My son has even started it. Kim and Ashley have many team members who are
having the same results. You will be eating and living healthier and not starving yourself as you do it.
Another great thing about the program is you can get your kits free if you sign up 3 friends.
If you are interested in changing your life, email me at [email protected] or my wife, Cheryl Dryden at
[email protected]
or call her after 4:15 at (302) 228-3346 for information about the 90 day Visalus challenge. There are tasting
parties occurring almost nightly and Cheryl will be glad to attend one with you.
News and Tournament Results
More good news for Maggie Cannon. After doing Friday and Saturday with the Morris County Belles 18U Elite
team at Team New Jersey she returned to the Delaware Storm 12U team to play a couple of play day games in
Wilmington. She had two triples including one with bases loaded. Brad Black told me Lexi Black also did a
great job on the mound. This 6th grader just continues to mature and develop as a pitcher. She has grown by
leaps and bounds and I will soon see her at the 55+ level.
I heard from Cherie White whose daughter, Erica plays for the Delaware Diamonds 16U Gray. Cherie said
Erica had a good day on the mound. She also did well pitching 5 innings Sunday. This was her first ever travel
ball tournament.
Kat Betts of the Delaware Express 16U will guest with the Morris County Belles Elite this weekend at the NJ
Outlaws Fall Showcase. The team is still short a pitcher due to injury and it has provided an opportunity for
some players to get college coach exposure.
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