Cat's Corner

November 5, 2007

Hello there

I know I waited a month AGAIN to update you guys. I am so sorry. Time is flying by! Since I last wrote I have moved into my condo and begun decorating it. I made sure to order the necessities right off the bat. I made sure to have a TV, couch and cable as soon as possible and my bed was also on the urgent list. I have yet to cook a meal at home, but I will as soon as I get back to Chicago.

At the moment I am finishing my last weekend recruiting for DePaul. It's been a long month. I was on the road all four weekends recruiting at different tournaments. I have gone to the east coast and west coast, and finished here in Houston. It's nice to be here, though, because I get to stay with my family and visit with them. It's nice to see some family and friends when you're away from home so much. Plenty of the girls I grew up playing with and against are coaching now, so we get to have small reunions when we're recruiting.

I leave Houston on Monday to head to Team USA training camp. I am looking forward to seeing the team and being on the field again. No matter how much I'm around the game, it's never the same as actually playing. I'm going to answer a few questions before I go!

Dear Cat,
Hey my name is Taylor and I live in Kentucky! I am a pitcher also and my little league says that I pitch too fast for my age group so they wanted me to try out for my high school softball team. I don't want to b/c the girls on that team are stuck up and they talk about people and I don't want to be a part of that, but... that is the only way I can get better training and play the sport that I love!! What should I do?? Also can you give me some tips on how to stay accurate on my speed and direction!!
Thank you for your time,
Taylor questioning life!

Taylor, personally I think you should pitch at your age level. I am assuming you aren't in high school yet, so you would be playing with girls that are not necessarily your friends or teammates. If you do try out for the high school team, my best advice is to know your values and what you believe in, and stand strong. Don't let girls who have fun talking about others keep you from playing this game! As far as pitching goes, accuracy is a result of practice. Drills that focus on your wrist snap are important. A lot of times inaccuracy comes from using too much arm to direct your pitch and not snapping the wrist within the line your body created to the target.

Dear Cat,
I have daughter who just made an ASA team and with many games played in one day. Do you have any suggestions for what to eat to keep up strength? Also, as a pitcher what stretches should she do on a regular basis.
Julia Hawk
Mom of Ashley

Julia, diet is important, but not something I would stress over as a young athlete. I never worried too much about what I ate when I was younger. It's important to not eat too much junk food; you do want to have a balanced diet, but don't stress. In order to get through a whole day make sure you eat a good breakfast (not just a Pop Tart). Also have some granola bars, sandwiches and fruit to snack on between games. Oh, don't forget to hydrate!

Dear Cat,
I was wondering if you were planning on being at Michele Smith's camp this year in Florida. I was also looking on your website of all your accomplishments, WOW you have done sooooooo much, and one day I dream of being as good as you. When you were little did you dream of being as good as you are today? I was also wondering what made you attend the UT.
THANKS! YOUR FAN KIMBERLEE

I work with Michele when she invites me, and I have been lucky enough to be invited to work her December clinic again! As to your questions, no, I did not dream of having the career I have. I just wanted to play, and then I hoped to walk on at Texas. I never thought it would take me where it has or opened the doors it has opened for me. I wouldn't trade it for anything though. Also, I attended UT because it had great academics and athletics all rolled in one. Plus, my family was only two hours away, so they could come see me whenever they wanted.

Thanks for checking in! I will write when we return home from Japan!

Cat #8