OREGON METRO 2011-2013

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

As the month of June came to a close, so did our one and only day of prospect camps in the Oregon Metro area.  Located at the beautiful brand-new Hood View Park in Happy Valley, OR, we set up camp excited to work with talented fastpitch athletes from all over the Beaver State.  As usual, our day featured SPARQ testing and training along with a thorough skills evaluation from Fastpitch Northwest director Ken Olson.  Hailing from both small towns and larger cities, today's softball studs showed up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to make a name for themselves.

During the athletic evaluation there was no question that Sunset High School's Angie Umscheid has the tools to play at the next level.  This Class of 2011 standout dominated the day with unmatched SPARQ test scores including a 3.07 second 20-yard dash, lightning-quick 5.00 second shuttle time and 22.4 in vertical jump which is the best we've seen all summer.  Not bad for this 5'8" outfielder who showed proficient infield skills as well after putting up her exceptional 93.27 rating.  Fellow Sunset teammate Ann Marie Richards had a solid 36-foot powerball toss and showed how her power translates to the field as the first baseman crushed the ball over the fence numerous times during batting practice.

Young pitchers from the Class of 2013 Sammi Cadwallader and Tori Amios travelled all the way from Toledo, OR and Longview, WA respectively to attend today's camp. Both showed exquisite infield skills but really impressed on the mound.  Their powerful velocities and wide array of pitches seemed almost unhittable for unfortunate hitters who have to face them.  We look forward to seeing all these talented ladies at the championships in August.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer)

WASHINGTON METRO 2012

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

Day two of our excursion with fast pitch athletes from the Washington Metro region started very promising, as it appears the summer weather has decided to show up consistently in the greater Seattle area.  On this day at Bellevue Community College we hosted up-and-coming softballers who were more than ready to show us what they're made of.  As always, it's great to see dedicated fast pitch athletes take a brief step away from their summer teams to be involved with a program that can really help them take their game to the next level.  Beginning with a brief dynamic warm-up and intense session of SPARQ testing, we were prepared to do just that.

Proudly representing the Hornets of Enumclaw HS, Kenicia McClellan stood out among the rest during our athletic evaluation.  With an explosive 21.1 inch vertical jump and record-tying 41-foot rotational powerball toss, McClellan showed exceptional mechanics with generating power from her lower body and core.  This southpaw first baseman absolutely smashed the ball during batting practice, scattering the outfield with line-drives and towering shots.  Also a pitcher, McClellan takes the mouth alongside her feisty catcher Courtney Cox.  Also a lefty, Cox showed exemplary speed and quickness throughout the day and it was apparent that this girl knows how to lead her Hornets, who finished fifth in state last season, from behind the plate.

Jefferson High School's Michaela Patton is a dangerously quick middle infielder from Auburn, WA.  She had a day-best 5.06 second shuttle time, and there isn't a single ground ball she can't get to when she puts her agility to good use.  Laura Potts, a member of the 1A state runners-up Cle Elum, followed up her teammate Hailey Bator's performance yesterday with a solid showing of her own.  The 5'11" all-league third baseman and pitcher had a monstrous 38-foot powerball toss and this girl absolutely tears the cover off the ball.  Come see these ladies put their talents on display at the championships this August in Chehalis, WA.


Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer)
 

WASHINGTON METRO 2013

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

Kicking off the third week of Fast Pitch Northwest prospect camps, our crew set up camp at Bellevue Community College for our first look at what athletes in Western Washington have to offer.  Though small is numbers, we weren't about to waste a beautiful sunny day in the Pacific Northwest.  Likewise, the athletes came to the field energetic and excited to put their many talents on display.  With a little SPARQ testing to start the day, the tone was set for these experienced ladies in the Class of 2011 to show us what makes them all-league performers.

Star pitcher Hailey Bator from Cle Elem High School had a strong showing in the 20-yard dash with a time of 3.22 seconds and an outstanding 40-foot powerball throw, well above the average toss for a lead-off hitter like her.  This 5'7" standout led her team with dominant pitching performances to the 1A state championship game, earning Player-of-the-Year honors in her league along the way.  After an impressive hitting display, Bator also showed her well-rounded defensive skills taking some reps in the outfield flawlessly.  There's no doubt this young athlete with do whatever it takes to lead her team back to state next season.

Another sensational talent at the event today came to us from Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, WA.  Three-time all-league performer Lisa Maulden was all smiles throughout the day, but when it was time to go to work on the field she was all business.  This first baseman and outfielder highlighted her SPARQ testing with a lightning-quick 5.10 second shuttle time and head-turning 37-foot powerball toss.  Not surprisingly, Maulden, who has been a clean-up hitter her entire career for the Bears, absolutely crushed the ball to all corners of the field during batting practice.  Even more impressive, she's earned all-league honors at two different positions during her career.  It was obvious she had the range and the arm to anchor the outfield, but this girl is an absolute brick wall at first base.  There isn't a single throw to first she can't handle, and make it look easy.  Look for Maulden to finally lead Tahoma through districts next season, and you can expect both of these ladies to be standouts at the Fast Pitch Northwest championships this August.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer)

WASHINGTON EAST / IDAHO NORTH 2013

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

Parting ways is such sweet sorrow, and unfortunately on this day we had to say goodbye to our second destination of Fast Pitch Northwest prospect camps in Pasco, WA. However, we did not ride off into the sunset quietly as a strong showing of eager freshmen made their way to Columbia Basin College before our departure. Though younger in age and generally a little smaller in size, these spritely young ladies came to the field with a youthful energy and light-footed quickness that is hard to recreate. Representing nine different high schools, today's diverse group of the Class of 2013 headed into SPARQ testing and training with added incentive to perform well knowing that many of their teammates had tested just days prior.

No question about it, today's most outstanding player was Hermiston, OR native Paige Long. Not only did her top scores of a 3.05 second shuttle, 38-foot powerball toss and 21.8 inch vertical jump lead to her day-best 87.63 SPARQ rating, but this 5'4" phenom crushed the ball over the fence during batting practice and showed she could apply her athleticism to play at every position. Not surprising for a girl who was her high school's #1 all-conference pitcher and team leader in home runs and RBIs as just a freshman. Jaclyn Bordner of Reardan High School and Kayla Brissey of Ephrata finished second and third with impressive SPARQ ratings of 85.62 and 78.78 respectively. Both are tall, athletic girls who pack a lot of power in their swings and Bordner, also a basketball player, holds it down at third base while Brissey puts her wide range to good use in the outfield. Be on the look out for these two who are well on their way to becoming elite level players if they put in that extra time for practice and athletic training. Thanks to all the dedicated athletes who came out to see us in Pasco over the past three days. We look forward to reuniting with you at the championships in August.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer)

WASHINGTON EAST / IDAHO NORTH 2012

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

It was a windy second day at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA for our meeting with select fast pitch athletes from all over Eastern Washington in the Class of 2012.  Though hailing from different schools, all of these ladies were ready to compete like "Bulldogs", that being the mascot that each of their schools coincidentally share.  Small in numbers but big on desire to improve their game, every one of these softballers took the field with the intent of standing out amongst the group.  As usual, SPARQ testing and training proved to be a great way to start the day before the skills went on display.

Cassie Sharon from Ellensburg High School highlighted a group that collectively averaged the highest SPARQ ratings of any other day we've seen with a 71.24 score.  It's no surprise that Cassie led all athletes in the 20 yard-dash (3.19 seconds), vertical jump (20.5 inches) and shuttle run (4.91) because we were amazed by how this 2nd baseman gets to every ball hit her direction with such ease.  You can watch this electrifying speedster take her talents and superb 82.92 SPARQ rating to the Yakima Stealers this summer.  And coming in all the way from Baker City, OR was multi-talented Darryn McCauley who plays her summer ball in Idaho but you'll find her representing Eastern Washington in the championships this August.  Darryn's unmatched 38-foot powerball toss was a very strong indication that she knows how to use her lower body and core power.  After watching her pitch, field and blast numerous long-balls over the fence, it was apparent that she has all the necessary mechanics down to dominate at the next level.  Best of luck to all our attendees today and we look forward to catching a glimpse of the local Class of 2013 tomorrow.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer)

WASHINGTON EAST / IDAHO NORTH 2011

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

After spending last week in Twin Falls, ID for Fast Pitch Northwest's first ever prospect camp, week two brought us to Pasco, WA for a look at Eastern Washington's softball talent.  Columbia Basin College was the site of our first encounter with these eager, young softball athletes on a perfect 80 degree day.  As the ladies laced up their shoes and put on their official Fast Pitch NW shirts they appeared ready to begin, but were definitely not expecting to be put through as dynamic of a warm up as Eric Trice, Athletic Performance Director of Sports Capitol Northwest, had in store for them.  Typically, fast pitch athletes will admit that they really don't do as much as they should to warm-up before practices and games, but Trice stresses the importance of getting the body properly prepared to compete at maximum capacity.  No doubt about it, these girls were more than ready to start SPARQ testing after learning many new tips on athletic training and movement.

Though we were expecting only athletes from the Class of 2011 today, it was a young pitcher from the Class of 2013 who stole the show.  Ashley Thompson, a 6-foot tall 14 year-old from Connell High School, put on a show for us all day while her father, also Connell's head fast pitch coach, watched in approval.  Ashley's day-best 70.62 SPARQ rating was highlighted by her explosive 21.4 inch vertical jump and 38-foot powerball toss, putting her long frame to good use.  Despite her impressive athletic display, it was her performance on the field that really turned heads.  This girl stepped up to the plate and absolutely rocked the ball to every corner of the field, and when she took the mound her velocity and control looked virtually unhittable.  With her two sure-handed 17 year-old teammates Kayla Bjorge (65.58 SPARQ rating) and Kate Hawk (61.71) playing centerfield and third base respectively, you can bet you'll find Connell High School at the top of its league standings next season.  Look for us tomorrow as we round-up top fast pitch players from the region in the Class of 2012.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer)

SOUTHEAST IDAHO 2012

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

Day two of our inaugural week of Fast Pitch Northwest prospect camps brought us back to Twin Falls, Idaho for a fun-filled day with local female athletes in the Class of 2012.  An enthusiastic group of young ladies representing five different high schools in the Southeast Idaho region showed up bright and early to impress all in attendance.  With a goal of getting high school fast pitch athletes exposure to college coaches and a measurement of skills and athleticism to promote self-improvement, Fast Pitch Northwest seeks to work with the best girls of all high school ages in the northwest region of the country.  Once these diamond cutters took the field and began their dynamic warm up before SPARQ testing, it was apparent from the beginning that we were about to witness something special.

That something special came in the form of 5'6" shortstop Brinley Miller.  A member of the team at host school Canyon Ridge, Miller took the SPARQ tests head on with an unmatched focus that helped her absolutely dominate.  With incredible test scores of a 21.9 inch vertical jump, blazing fast 20-yard dash time of 3.11 seconds, 40-foot powerball toss and lightning quick 4.93 second shuttle time, all best on the day, Miller rated off the charts with a ridiculous 100.38 SPARQ rating.  Such an astounding rating puts her into a category of elite level fast pitch athletes throughout the entire country, and what makes this feat more amazing is that Miller just finished her freshman year.  That's right.  As a member of the 2013 age group out there competing with the Class of 2012, she showed no fear and proved that she has a very promising future chasing down ground balls and making plays all over the infield like she did consistently today.  Either with her Riverhawks teammates at Canyon Ridge or this summer with the Crimson Crush, look for Brinley Miller to turn some heads over the next year.

Miller's teammate, Lauren Shotwell, put up solid SPARQ test scores to come in second with a 68.82 rating despite an injured finger which prevented her from participating in much of the skills activities and showing off her highly-touted pitching ability.  Bonneville's Cierra Banks and Canyon Ridge's other star freshman Emma Stephens, standing at 5'9" and 5'11" respectively, both used their long frames to heave the 2kg powerball 40 feet, tying Brinley Miller's mark.  To no surprise, Daliss Pickup from Declo High School was right behind with a 39-foot powerball toss, as she stole the show during batting practice while consistently flirting with deep shots that nearly went over the fence.  It was obvious throughout the day's events that all of these girls are devoted softball players who truly love to play and want to improve, and that always makes for a fun, productive environment for everyone.  Thanks to all those who came out to participate today, and we can only hope that tomorrow's Class of 2013 will be just as positive.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer).