17yo Maddie

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May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Thanks for the story Eric, looks like it's headed toward a great 'ending' for Maddie :) I wish her continued success and good health.

I found in my time as parent and coach at 18U that it is important to separate what's possible and what's best. It is really incredible that with hard work many fast pitch players can play at a college level of some sort. It's just important to let the player figure out the best and dare I say happiest path forward and what they want their end goal to really be.

Maddie has had some serious interest from a few D1 schools, which has been nice, but I'm proud of Maddie for recognizing that a different path is a better choice for her.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Good news, bad news - First tournament of the fall season (TCS Fall Classic)...

Over 4 games, Maddie went 6-for-9 with 2 HRs and 4 2Bs, and lead her team with 7 RBI and 5 runs. Unfortunately, a couple of uncharacteristic errors by talented players handed wins to the two teams that made to the championship game.

I think this is 4 times in a row now that Maddie has hit a HR on the first day of games with a new bat. Thankfully, she hits HRs on other days, too.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Good news, bad news - First tournament of the fall season (TCS Fall Classic)...

Over 4 games, Maddie went 6-for-9 with 2 HRs and 4 2Bs, and lead her team with 7 RBI and 5 runs. Unfortunately, a couple of uncharacteristic errors by talented players handed wins to the two teams that made to the championship game.

I think this is 4 times in a row now that Maddie has hit a HR on the first day of games with a new bat. Thankfully, she hits HRs on other days, too.
Otherwise it would be very expensive :)
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
"Our focus is finding the right fit for her, not just the highest level of play."
^^^^^Wisdom^^^^^
Plus there is not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for a D1 softball player. There is not a draft with signing bonuses. Play softball, have fun, stay out of trouble and get educated.... preferably with a marketable degree.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
An at-bat from last Sunday' game - Top 3rd, 2 outs, 0-0 score...


This pitcher wasn't going to blow anyone away with velocity, but she did a pretty good job working the edges. She had a good change up (second pitch), but we never saw it more than once per at-bat. If she had used it more against Maddie, the result might have been different. I really like how Maddie manages this at-bat, and finds her mental zone between each pitch before stepping into the box. Patience and focus.
 
Last edited:
Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
Eric

How old was Maddie when she started to physical mature? That made you notice she was becoming athletic and came a long way from 10u rec?

I have two late bloomers. They only have had experience at rec, which in our town doesn’t count at the younger ages and 1 year of 10u TB, then lost a complete year due to COVID, then this year at 12 u TB. Not top real high level. All the girls are friends, and parents are friends. No real try outs.

They want to play in HS who are now 7th graders. I think this is a huge year for their development. One more year at 12u as 13 year olds.

They have improved going from rec to 1 year of 10u. Where they learned as they went. They both pitched and play short. We just interchange them. And then just 1 year at 12u. Their not a rec team anymore, a rec team in our town. I saw improvements in my kids and the team. Especially one of our catchers who improved greatly.

If we lose another year, they might not make it to their goal (unless we practiced. Which they didn’t their second 10u). Which is to play on their HS team. The same HS their mother was league MVP and set the school record for era at 0.06 her senior year. They want to pitch for the HS. I’m going to show them video from that year, I have lots. Let them see her pitch when she was on.
 
Last edited:
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Eric

How old was Maddie when she started to physical mature? That made you notice she was becoming athletic and came a long way from 10u rec?

I have two late bloomers. They only have had experience at rec, which in our town doesn’t count at the younger ages and 1 year of 10u TB, then lost a complete year due to COVID, then this year at 12 u TB. Not top real high level. All the girls are friends, and parents are friends. No real try outs.

They want to play in HS who are now 7th graders. I think this is a huge year for their development. One more year at 12u as 13 year olds.

They have improved going from rec to 1 year of 10u. Where they learned as they went. They both pitched and play short. We just interchange them. And then just 1 year at 12u. Their not a rec team anymore, a rec team in our town. I saw improvements in my kids and the team. Especially one of our catchers who improved greatly.

If we lose another year, they might not make it to their goal (unless we practiced. Which they didn’t their second 10u). Which is to play on their HS team. The same HS their mother was league MVP and set the school record for era at 0.06 her senior year. They want to pitch for the HS. I’m going to show them video from that year, I have lots. Let them see her pitch when she was on.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean my "physically mature". In what way?

Maddie has always been a top athlete among her teammates, no matter what age group or level of play, starting with her first season of 8U rec. She not gifted with running speed kind of athleticism, but is strong, coordinated, explosive, and dexterous. We saw her greatest skill-level improvement during 12U. This was largely due to a combination of physical growth during that time and excellent instructional coaching. When she started doing focused gym work at 13yo to increase her power, things took another step forward. The single biggest thing of all has been consistent, dedicated, determined work, and LOTS reps on a softball field from a heavy TB schedule, starting at 10U. In Maddie's 9 years of playing, I would guess she has played 500-600 games, possibly more.

Especially vivid in HS ball, where there is a mix of TB and rec players, is that the experienced TB players not only execute physical skills with better mechanics and speed, but their mental processing of the game is at a faster pace. Rec players think about the one play they're in the middle of. The TB players are already thinking about what happens next, and can adapt to changing situations much quicker. This comes from years of high-level game experience.

I have no idea if I answered your question.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
ARRRGGGGHHH!!!!!!!

Maddie smashed her left thumb in a doorway last night. It still hurts a lot today, and we are taking a trip to Urgent Care to get it x-rayed this afternoon. Tomorrow, we leave to make her first college visit and attend their prospect camp. This is the #1 school on her list. It doesn't look good for being able to fully participate. Grrr....
 

JOHNN

Just a dad of 3 girls
Aug 5, 2019
375
43
South Louisiana
ARRRGGGGHHH!!!!!!!

Maddie smashed her left thumb in a doorway last night. It still hurts a lot today, and we are taking a trip to Urgent Care to get it x-rayed this afternoon. Tomorrow, we leave to make her first college visit and attend their prospect camp. This is the #1 school on her list. It doesn't look good for being able to fully participate. Grrr....
Sorry to see that. Hopefully its just bruised and nothing major
 

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