Best pitchers in the country

[jonriv]

I find myself with mixed emotions on how this post is going-

1) Innercircle needs to calm down- she is probably a great pitcher etc......, but to start claiming her as the savior of the VT program in both premature and not fair to the player. A player from my area- who smashed the HS perfect game and no-hit records and had only two loses in her HS career(as well as Big league, PONY & ASA championships) was touted as the "savior" of a prominent SEC school- Even though she is a good college pitcher, she is by no means dominant or a savior. You see IC, those college teams are made up of players that were all the best players on their HS and travel teams. It also seems quite dubious that a bunch of West Coast Gold teams were willing to pay for her to fly and play for them--- perhaps they invited her as a guest player(but at her own expense)

2) There seems to be definite bias that just because a pitcher is from the East- they can't be good??? I fully understand and appreciate the level and sheer volume of talent that California has, but it is not the only place that can produce talent. i also understand that PONY is not at the same level as Premier, ASA, NSA etc...., but for many teams on the east Coast it is all they really know and has the best local organizations(that is starting to change) Plus the PONY Nationals offer a more local and less expensive travel option for those teams. Sara Plourde of Umass and Rachele Fico of LSU are also both examples good pitchers that came from the East and are PONY products

So for you guys in Socal- we know you have great players there- please understand that there are very good players outside of California(maybe just not as many!)

[Sftbll4ever]

I get suckered back into this post every time it goes back to the top cause I think.....every time, someone is going to mention that it is my kid that is the best pitcher in the country!!! SIGH!!!

[zephyrcoach]

Most of this is true. I have spoken to Coach Thomas at VT about this young lady in the past and she is pretty legit. High 60's can touch 70mph. But...Doesnt play against the level of competition that she needs to in order to be ready to step in and make an impact at VT right away. Dad coaches her team and he is a big proponent of PONY softball.

I do know that the powers that be would like to see her pitch for a more nationally competitive club team.

[artomatic]

Dad coaches her team.

Is that Dad motorboatin' the cheerleaders on the website?

[jonriv]

Dad coaches her team.

Is that Dad motorboatin' the cheerleaders on the website?

[jmo]

Most of this is true. I have spoken to Coach Thomas at VT about this young lady in the past and she is pretty legit. High 60's can touch 70mph. But...Doesnt play against the level of competition that she needs to in order to be ready to step in and make an impact at VT right away. Dad coaches her team and he is a big proponent of PONY softball.

I do know that the powers that be would like to see her pitch for a more nationally competitive club team.

I have no doubt that there are great pitchers all across the country AND there are teams that will foot the bill to have her play for them. zephyrcoach is right on the money in that facing the top competition is very important for a pitcher especially for her to step into a D1 school and make an impact right away. Top college coaches like to see their future recruits playing at the highest level of travelball in order to better prepare them for the college grind.

[jmo]

I find myself with mixed emotions on how this post is going-

1) Innercircle needs to calm down- she is probably a great pitcher etc......, but to start claiming her as the savior of the VT program in both premature and not fair to the player. A player from my area- who smashed the HS perfect game and no-hit records and had only two loses in her HS career(as well as Big league, PONY & ASA championships) was touted as the "savior" of a prominent SEC school- Even though she is a good college pitcher, she is by no means dominant or a savior. You see IC, those college teams are made up of players that were all the best players on their HS and travel teams. It also seems quite dubious that a bunch of West Coast Gold teams were willing to pay for her to fly and play for them--- perhaps they invited her as a guest player(but at her own expense)

2) There seems to be definite bias that just because a pitcher is from the East- they can't be good??? I fully understand and appreciate the level and sheer volume of talent that California has, but it is not the only place that can produce talent. i also understand that PONY is not at the same level as Premier, ASA, NSA etc...., but for many teams on the east Coast it is all they really know and has the best local organizations(that is starting to change) Plus the PONY Nationals offer a more local and less expensive travel option for those teams. Sara Plourde of Umass and Rachele Fico of LSU are also both examples good pitchers that came from the East and are PONY products

So for you guys in Socal- we know you have great players there- please understand that there are very good players outside of California(maybe just not as many!)

I am surprised that the Gold Coast Hurricanes haven't scooped her up like they did Rachele Fico several years back and most other top pitchers from the East Coast.

[jonriv]

I find myself with mixed emotions on how this post is going-

1) Innercircle needs to calm down- she is probably a great pitcher etc......, but to start claiming her as the savior of the VT program in both premature and not fair to the player. A player from my area- who smashed the HS perfect game and no-hit records and had only two loses in her HS career(as well as Big league, PONY & ASA championships) was touted as the "savior" of a prominent SEC school- Even though she is a good college pitcher, she is by no means dominant or a savior. You see IC, those college teams are made up of players that were all the best players on their HS and travel teams. It also seems quite dubious that a bunch of West Coast Gold teams were willing to pay for her to fly and play for them--- perhaps they invited her as a guest player(but at her own expense)

2) There seems to be definite bias that just because a pitcher is from the East- they can't be good??? I fully understand and appreciate the level and sheer volume of talent that California has, but it is not the only place that can produce talent. i also understand that PONY is not at the same level as Premier, ASA, NSA etc...., but for many teams on the east Coast it is all they really know and has the best local organizations(that is starting to change) Plus the PONY Nationals offer a more local and less expensive travel option for those teams. Sara Plourde of Umass and Rachele Fico of LSU are also both examples good pitchers that came from the East and are PONY products

So for you guys in Socal- we know you have great players there- please understand that there are very good players outside of California(maybe just not as many!)

I am surprised that the Gold Coast Hurricanes haven't scooped her up like they did Rachele Fico several years back.

Good point- I am surprised that VT has not "suggested" she play for a team that plays tougher comp(if not only temporarily- perhaps she will this upcoming summer?

[as the world turns]

Speaking of the best pitchers in the country, Sftbll4ever's DD is ligit........

[Sftbll4ever]

Speaking of the best pitchers in the country, Sftbll4ever's DD is ligit........

PHEW!!!! I feel so much better now!!!