Softball to Track and Field

Athletic Recruits
1

<p>Neighbor’s daughter has pitched Softball for what seems like forever. (Maybe since 4th grade?) She’s only a Freshman in HS but people have started talking about her playing in college. I would say “maybe”, she’s got a lot of improving to do to be a college pitcher, and she knows it.</p>

<p>Here’s the thing. She’s not on the Track team, but walked over to Track practice as they were finishing up. Because she “throws” she was interested in some of the throwing events.(I know nothing about track throwing events.) Against school rules and with no coach watching, some of the girls that take part in the throwing events let her “take a turn” and low and behold she matched, or close to, the teams best the first time ever throwing a discuss. And it is a very competitive HS team!</p>

<p>Finishing up her Freshman year, is it even feasible to change to Track and be successful at this point? Nobody has told the coach of this “event” taking place as of yet, and neighbors daughter would wish to spend part of her summer doing a Track and Field program held
nearby, of course this would mean cutting back on softball.</p>

<p>Is it possible to excel in this sport starting so late? She enjoys pitching, but her team is a wreck (lacks defense, offense, just isn’t very good besides pitching.) </p>

<p>Could pitching workouts for softball have given her track and field skills?</p>

<p>Or do you think that one throw was a fluke thing? She actually really enjoyed it.</p>

2

<p>When I was growing up, there was a guy in our hometown who pitched on the high school baseball team and attended a jr. college in CA. He was watching a track practice in college, picked up the javelin and threw it 220’ in a pair of baseball shoes. 7 years later he went on to throw 327 ft and set the world record in the jav. His name is Tom Petranoff. Your neighbor’s daughter may not have quite the same success, but yes, with natural athletic ability and a good coach it’s possible to be very successful even with a ‘late’ start.</p>

<p>If she threw the discus close to 100’ right out of the gate I’d say she has excellent potential. If she can get in the 130’s during her high school career, there would be interest from colleges. If there are any summer sports camps hosted by a nearby college, that would be a great way to get a better feel for it before bailing on the softball team</p>