Spotsy Havoc Fastpitch Softball: My Site News

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Wednesday, July 6
Havoc Organization is expanding!

 

The Spotsy Havoc is growing! We are now offering tryouts for two more teams - 12/14U & 14/16U. These teams will look to enter tourneys this 2011 Fall Season in the 12U & 14U age divisions respectively. As these teams come together the goal will be to move up in age group sometime next year. We are currently practicing and conducting tryouts. Any one interested in trying out for one of these teams, please send an email to Ken Carroll - millworkman@comcast.net or call 540-621-5990.



Monday, September 27
Havoc girls attend Jennie Finch camp at Radford University

jfcamp
Andrea, Makayla and Chrissy

Tuesday, September 21
Save the Date- Halloween Party
Halloween Party at the Grahams on Oct 30. Details to follow.

Sunday, April 18
Spotsy Havoc takes a trip to UVA.
Havoc@UVA-team
Gabby, Andi, Katie & Chrissy hangin' with the Cavaliers.
Gabrielle A., Andrea C., Katie G.,Chrissy C., Tyler H., Jenna H. and Sydney C. spent sunday afternoon tailgating at UVA. They watched the Cavaliers beat the Wolfpack 1-0. This was the 3rd game of the weekend against NC State. The Cavaliers won 2 of the 3 games. After the game the Cavaliers took time to meet the girls and sign some autographs.  

Sunday, April 11
Spotsy Havoc 2010 Season Under Way

The Spotsy Havoc started off their 2010 Spring/Summer season by participating in the first of the 4 Softball Nation Varsity series one day tournaments down in Petersburg, Va. The Havoc ended up going 1-2 for the day but played in 3 competitive games and had a great opportunity to play in the championship game.

In Game 1,  P-Jenna Hendley (0-1) put in one of her typical, dominating performances, allowing only 2 hits, 3 walks and striking out 4, but a few costly errors by the defense and lack of run support from the offense resulted in a 3-1 loss to the Ashburn Shooting Stars. SS-Katie Graham, C-Tyler Hinnefeld and P-Jenna Hendley each singled for the Havoc. 3B-Taylor Dunavant scored the Havoc's only run of the game. Making their Havoc debuts were free agent acquistions OF-Chrissy Cromer, OF-Caroline Sorrell and OF-Gabrielle Ammaturo. All three shook off any potential nervousness and had good games.  "We definitely improved our team by picking up these girls and our future looks bright" said Team Manager Ken Carroll after the game.

In Game 2, the Havoc put together one of their trademark comebacks and won 6-2 against the New Kent Blast. Trailing 2-0, with 2 outs in the last inning, the Havoc stormed back by scoring 6 runs. Consecutive singles by OF-Jenna Hendley, OF-Tyler Hinnefeld, 2B-Andrea Carroll set the stage for SS-Katie Graham who then belted a double to left center field, scoring 2 runs. P-Sydney Cannon (1-0) followed with a single of her own and knocked in a run. Sydney, coming out of pitching retirement and making her first start of the season, pitched a solid game. She pitched 4 innings allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk. "We are extremely pleased with the way Sydney pitched and are very proud of her", Pitching Coach Ken Hendley said after the game. Jenna Hendley, coming in relief, struck out 4 and picked up her first save of the season. Rookie sensation C-Chrissy Cromer made her first start at catcher and did an outstanding job.

In Game 3, the Havoc lost 8-0 to the Manassas Blaze. Although she took the loss, P-Caroline Sorrell (0-1), making her 16U pitching debut,  pitched a solid game and showed that she can play with and against the big girls. She pitched a complete game allowing only 5 hits, 3 walks and had 2 strike outs. Once again, numerous errors and lack of offense spelled doom for the Havoc. "It's dissappointing we let Caroline down in the field and at the plate. I left her in because she was pitching really well and I wanted to see how she respond to the adversity. I am proud to say she exceeded my expectations."  said Head Coach Jim Fitzgerald immediately after the game. 2B-Andrea Carroll and SS-Katie Graham had the Havoc's only hits.


Tuesday, September 22
Havoc player learns from the best
Andrea-Jennie

Andrea Carroll #28 with Jennie Finch at the Jennie Finch Camp at Radford University Sept. 12-13.



Wednesday, July 22
Picking the right bat
You can see them all around the Softball park, swinging their bats, hitting at imaginary targets and sometimes practicing at objects, improving their strength all the time. The force behind the swing of the batters can be tremendous. The truth is, it is not the strength behind the swing that only matters. It is also the kind of bat one uses.

How to pick the right bat?

The Length
To pick the correct bat length, the bat should be long enough to reach your wrist when you are standing straight with arms on your size. With the tip of the bat touching the ground to your wrist will very most likely the most comfortable bat length that you can pick.

The Weight
Every softball player has his own individual requirement especially when it comes to carrying out weights. The rule of the thumb when picking the correct bat weight is to try out the bat first. See if the player can swing the bat comfortably and control the swing with both hands without strain. The bat has to be the heaviest that the player can swing without loss of speed. If the bat does not fall into these categories, look for another one. It does not matter if the bat chosen is the most expensive and the most beautifully crafted with the most advanced material. If the player will be sacrificing these, the player will only be having a good top of the line, technically crafted bat. You can not say that for his swings.

Whatever the case, always take a bat that is light. Lighter bats can be swung faster and the resulting distance could be farther. Having said that, here are ways to pick legal bats.

Advancement in technology has created bats where the softball bats can fit and be comfortably swung by players of all ages and built. Even the less technically proficient can today, swing the softball bat and hit the ball at speeds that can pose a serious problem with the pitcher and the infielders. Technically advanced bats can also ruin the game, as players would rely more and more on the more expensive multiple alloys instead of having fun and developing the skill. For these reasons, many softball organizations started banning specific bats and having guidelines for softball bat specifications. Some of these standards are:
The BTF or the Bat Performance Factor has to be 1.20 certified. The Ball to Exit Ratio has to have a 97-MPH BESR on a normally thrown pitch. The bats must have a smooth safety grip not just tapes.

The ideal softball bat in the hands of a good player translates to the game Americans love. To prepare for a good batting positions here are a few suggestions:
Loosen up. Twist back and forth, bend up and down, do a stationary jog, do anything to loosen up the muscles. If you have a good bat speed, fluidity in movement will give you the power.
Use a carbon based softball bat. Carbons perform better than aluminum.

When you are batting, distribute your weight on both feet. When the ball is in the level between your shoulders and your chest, hit it. Hitting the ball in that position is just giving it another direction. The power that you smash it with will give it the distance.

Wednesday, July 22
Slap Hitting
The Art of Slap Hitting
by J. Cox - Fastpitch Softball Bat

Slap hitting is often used by batters who are fast runners. Often times this batter is a lefty, which can give her an even better chance of getting on base. This technique is often used against pitchers who are difficult to get hits against, it gives you a chance to get the ball in play.

The ability to be a slap hitter, isn't just something you can do without practice. Just like any other softball skill, the more you practice, the better you can do it.

Sometimes slap hitting is used to advance base runners. When this is the primary goal, the ball is often hit away from the base runner, down the first base line for example, to get a runner from second to third base. If the goal is to get yourself on first, then the goal might be to bounce the ball, or slap it to an area of the field least defended.

In general terms, slap hitting is basically hitting the ball, at the same time getting a jump towards running to first base. The end result is the ball is usually hit with a half swing, or a running swing.

The runner must remain in the batters box throughout the entire swing, so timing becomes very important. But if you can master this skill it can be quite helpful in getting a good jump to first base.

If a player becomes a good slap hitter it can become a great weapon for the team. You will be valuable as a player who can advance runner, and get on base yourself.

Monday, May 25
Havoc Finish Second
Congratulations once again to the Havoc for finishing second at the Memorial Day Shootout May 23-24 in Glen Allen, Va.

Tuesday, January 13
Tryouts for the 2009 Spring/Summer Season

Tryouts for the 2009 Spring and Summer Season has begun. If you are interested in trying out for the Havoc please email Jim Fitzgerald at jfitz23@msn.com or Ken Carroll at millworkman@comcast.net



Sunday, February 1
Practice Attendance
Practice Attendance is being kept. It is very important that you make practices whenever possible. Notify the coaches if you can not be there.

Sunday, May 10
Spotsy Havoc Finish Second
Congratulations to the girls for finishing second at the USSSA May Madness Tournament in Sterling, Va. May 2-3.

Join the Havoc
Want To Join The Havoc 

Anyone interested in joining the Havoc should email Ken Carroll at millworkman@comcast.net for tryout information.



Sunday, May 17
Back to Back
Congratulations to the girls for finishing 2nd in this weekends (May 16-17) Cash Bash Tournament in Charlottesville, Va. With this second place finish the girls have qualified to participate in the NSA National Tournament.

History
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Havoc History

The Havoc was put together in the Fall of 2008 as a 14U team.  They had a successful season qualifying for the USSSA Nationals in their final tournament of the season. The girls continued their success into the Spring and Summer 2009 seasons where they finished 2nd in 3 consecutive tournaments. The girls qualified and participated in the NSA World Series in Salem,Va. in July 2009. In the Fall of 2009, the girls took a big leap moving up to the 16U age division. They had a competitive season and qualified for the 2010 NSA World Series in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In the Spring and Summer 2010 season, the girls finished second in the NSA Class B State Tournament and participated in the World Series in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Havoc is currently preparing for their Fall 2010 season and look to continue their success.



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