17yo Maddie

Rolling Hard said:

I love her relaxed controlled tempo. Never seems rushed at all.

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This is something that she has learned to do really well, and it made a HUGE difference for her. A slow and early start gives you the time to be on time without rushing.

One of Maddie's teammates has very nice mechanics in practice, but poor game success. She was waiting too long to get started, leaving her no choice but to take panicked off-balance swings. Once she adopted a slow-and-early approach, things started falling into place for her, and she's become a solid bat in the lineup (batted .400 for the final month of the season).

Eric, which Ghost Double Barrel does Maddie use? 2020 or new 2022 version? Congrats to her on getting the offers.

Quigs10 said:

Eric, which Ghost Double Barrel does Maddie use? 2020 or new 2022 version? Congrats to her on getting the offers.

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Her current bat is the newer Ghost Double Barrel (not the older Dual Stamp). She didn't love it at first, but as it has broken in and opened up, she now says it's her favorite ever. She's used the original ASA/Blue, Dual Stamp, Advanced (multiple), Dual Stamp Stars-and-Stripes edition (didn't last long), and Double Barrel. The Advanced and Double Barrel have a definite change in tone as they break in, and at their best, they have a clear tone like a rifle shot.

Eric F said:

10 bombs from Maddie’s final fall season of TB.

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Only two to the pull side. That is a change from years past, no? Function of pitching, mechanics or a bit of both?

pattar said:

Only two to the pull side. That is a change from years past, no? Function of pitching, mechanics or a bit of both?

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As I mentioned in a previous post, this is something new that has developed over the recent months. An adjustment in bat path has helped her cover the outside of the plate better, and is resulting in more oppo power.

Eric F said:

As I mentioned in a previous post, this is something new that has developed over the recent months. An adjustment in bat path has helped her cover the outside of the plate better, and is resulting in more oppo power.

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p.s. I don't have all of your posts stored in my constantly shrinking memory bank

pattar said:

p.s. I don't have all of your posts stored in my constantly shrinking memory bank

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I'll help you out...post #34.

Maddie has had a habit of banging the ball off the fence with the bases loaded, sometimes missing putting it over by just a few inches. Not this time. First HR of 2022...


In this Alliance Qualifier event, Maddie had a solid performance at the plate, going 4-for-7, including two 2Bs, and this GS. As expected, however, her team's lack of practice and playing time showed vividly. They lost all 3 games, primarily due to very sloppy defense. A 1-run lead was literally thrown away on a bunt play that scored 2 runs, including the batter.

In the bigger picture...Maddie has made the decision to not play college softball. I'm sad that this part of her journey is coming to an end sooner than expected, but I am in no way disappointed in her. We have both had a great time with softball, made a million wonderful memories, made a lot of good friends, and I have zero regrets. For the immediate road ahead, we're going to focus on just having fun with her time left in the game.

EDIT: A bonus to the weekend's event was getting to meet @erniekru, and watch his DD play for a bit. Her team did much better in the event, and earned an Alliance berth.

Eric F said:

Maddie has had a habit of banging the ball off the fence with the bases loaded, sometimes missing putting it over by just a few inches. Not this time. First HR of 2022...


In this Alliance Qualifier event, Maddie had a solid performance at the plate, going 4-for-7, including two 2Bs, and this GS. As expected, however, her team's lack of practice and playing time showed vividly. They lost all 3 games, primarily due to very sloppy defense. A 1-run lead was literally thrown away on a bunt play that scored 2 runs, including the batter.

In the bigger picture...Maddie has made the decision to not play college softball. I'm sad that this part of her journey is coming to an end sooner than expected, but I am in no way disappointed in her. We have both had a great time with softball, made a million wonderful memories, made a lot of good friends, and I have zero regrets. For the immediate road ahead, we're going to focus on just having fun with her time left in the game.

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You mentioned a barrel path adjustment for more power oppo. Can you elaborate on that some?

And I selfishly hope she has a change in heart about playing college ball. Maybe the right program/coach will talk her into it.

Rolling Hard said:

You mentioned a barrel path adjustment for more power oppo. Can you elaborate on that some?

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"Stay inside the ball" is her mental cue. It's a more inside-out barrel path, rather than out and around that she was doing before. She isn't hitting as many monster bombs to the pull side, but her plate coverage on outside pitches has improved significantly. The result has been most of her hits going to the right side.

Rolling Hard said:

And I selfishly hope she has a change in heart about playing college ball. Maybe the right program/coach will talk her into it.

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She won't. I held that hope for a while, too. She had some really good softball opportunities, but she allowed those doors to close. The colleges she has applied to aren't places she will play with the school team.