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).

SOUTHEAST IDAHO 2013

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

Our third and final day at Canyon Ridge HS in Twin Falls, ID brought us perhaps our most intense and focused group of softballers yet. The Class of 2013, though the youngest we worked with all week, showed that youth is more of an asset than previously thought. Local rising stars from the Southeast Idaho region all joined together for a fun-filled day of SPARQ testing and showcasing their more-than-impressive talent. Whether it was due to the fact that they have never been to a showcase before or just were too young to be nervous or intimidated, this Class of 2013 group was by far the least social and outgoing we've seen. Don't get me wrong, these young ladies were friendly, courteous and love to play the game, but their attention and thirst for new knowledge was at another level. Absorbing all little tips and pointers, whether it be related to training or game-play, these girls were ready to put every advantage they learned to good use.

We noticed this trend was no more prevalent than when SPARQ testing took center stage. Rarely do you see athletes improve from their first try to their second at each event as much as these young ladies did. Over half of the girls ran the 20-yard dash in 3.16 seconds or faster, over half had a shuttle time of 5.28 seconds or faster and over half of them had vertical jumps over 20.6 inches. And not surprisingly, most of these dazzling test scores were put up on their second trial, after they had already tried it once and really listened to advice for improvement. Though the youngest group of the week, the top five SPARQ ratings today averaged out to a boast-worthy 70.12 score, easily the best top-five average of any older group we worked with here in Idaho.

Though every athlete had skill and athleticism worth mentioning, it was Skyline High School's Mackenzie Jackman and Erica Dick from Boise who really made a splash. Jackman posted top scores on the day with her 37-foot powerball toss and explosive 22.6 inch vertical jump, en-route to her unbeaten 82.92 SPARQ rating. This 5'5" sophomore-to-be from Idaho Falls claims her primary position is catcher but her talent is so well rounded at every position that she should just call herself an "athlete." At least that's what it looked like as she accumulated hit after hit during the live scrimmage and ran the bases like Usain Bolt. Erica Dick was our tallest player of the day at 5'7", and she definitely refutes the stereotype that shorter people are faster as she posted top scores today in both the 20-yard dash (3.12 seconds) and the shuttle run (5.09 seconds) to earn a solid 76.53 rating. You can see Erica display her talents on the Boise Blast this summer. She’ll be the one crushing the ball over outfielders' heads like she did all day during batting practice. These two ladies headlined an entire group of up-and-coming fast pitch athletes from the area, and if this is any indication of what the Class of 2013 has to offer around the state, the future looks very promising.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer).

SOUTHEAST IDAHO 2011

SPARQ TESTING BLOG

The first ever Fast Pitch Northwest prospect camp brought us to Twin Falls, Idaho for an exciting week with some high school athletes from all over the state.  Day 1 featured a handful of talented softballers from the Class of 2011 who came together at the beautiful facilities of Canyon Ridge High School to put their skills on display.  Canyon Ridge, a brand new school and now the second high school in the city of Twin Falls, was kind enough to offer up their amazing new fields for our use.  As the athletes first took the field, they were taken through a very cutting-edge and engaging dynamic warm-up that was previously a foreign concept to them.  Not only did they receive important insights on how to properly warm-up the body before taking the diamond, but the new, eye-opening experience also served as a way for the ladies to calm their nerves, loosen up mentally and start to have fun.

Eager to get started SPARQ Testing, we headed over to the vertical jump first and it was Megan Anderson who wasted no time impressing the group.  The 17 year-old from Bonneville High had an eye-popping 23.2 inch vertical jump, best of the day, while Declo High School's Melissa Carson was a close second with her 22.5 inch leap.  Her Declo teammate, Brinlee Breshears, stepped up to challenge in the next two SPARQ tests as she put up top scores with a 38-foot rotational powerball toss and a shuttle time of 5.13 seconds.  Not surprisingly, she showed how her impressive test scores carried over to the field as she was the only athlete to hit the ball over the fence during batting practice (which she did multiple times).

Not wanting to be outdone by her friend, Melissa Carson blazed through the 20-yard dash with an event-best time of 3.19 seconds, rounding out a head-turning overall performance, which resulted in her 80.49 SPARQ rating. Her overall athleticism translated nicely to the field as she consistently ripped line drives during batting practice and smothered everything that came her way at 3rd base.  Right behind Carson was Hillcrest High School's Cassie Wood with her 72.99 SPARQ rating. This first team all-conference pitcher not only held her own during the SPARQ Tests, but also could seemingly play every position in the field  as if it were her primary one.  Wood demonstrated a genuine passion for the sport, staying late to get some extra pitching in and absorbing all instructions and pointers given to her so this softball slugger can put her talents to good use for the Utah Storm this summer.  Thanks to all the athletes who came out to kick off the Fast Pitch Northwest prospect camps. We look forward to seeing what Idaho's Class of 2012 has to offer tomorrow.

Article written by Colin Fahey (Athletic Trainer).