Message Board

Hey Michelle! Remember Me?

doclizdc2005 — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:39:47 GMT

I was one of your catchers way back in the day! Sundays at Rutgers. I would love to hear back from you! You may remember me as one of the Cunningham twins....at Betty's. I listen to you on ESPN...we are all so proud of you! Please write me back when you get the chance, my email is attached I think, if not, I will check in on the post.
Liz Cunningham-O'Neil

Forum: General Discussions

10 yr old pitching question

SFTBLLUVSME — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:30:06 GMT

Michelle,

My daughter is 10 and attend your camp last summer. She is going to a pitching instructor in NJ that teaches a large amount of girls in the state to close their hips on ball release and she said you taught her the figure 4 at the end. She is a little confused by what should really be done. Overall, she pitches quite well and has hit a top speed of 47mph so far. I told her to do which feels more comfortable. She seems to be more comfortable with the figure 4 leg ending. Am I telling her the right thing? This coach in NJ has taught many All-State HS pitchers and some college pitchers. Help. I'm so confused. Also, she has been learning the drop ball pitch over the past year too. I had one coach tell be the one you pull over the top can injure your rotator cuff compared to the peel drop. Any truth in this. Of course, the one she has pretty much down pat is the one they said could injure her arm. Thanks for any answers. Hopefully she'll see you this summer in Hershey and you can help her there a little bit.

Jill

Forum: Tell Michele

USA squad

Hudge72847 — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:53:41 GMT

You have mentioned many times during the ESPN2 broadcasts that the Olympic team will consist of 15 members. With five pitchers, does this mean that there will only be 10 members to field the remaining 8 positions???

Also, during the Oklahoma contest, we kept seeing Jenny Finch's pitches from the third base side camera. I noticed that when she pushed off with her right foot, it was clearly in front of the pitching rubber. Is this considered a legal pitch??

Thank you in advance for any feedback.

Stephen Hudgens
I got your autograph during the 2000 tour when you pitched in Sacramento. Still cherish that moment.

Forum: Tell Michele

4/28/08: Japan Pro League Games from 4/25 - 4/27!

MicheleSmith — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:07:11 GMT

This weekend's games were tough as it was a 3 game set. That extra day and game makes the weekend so much longer, but it is amazing!! The games are so intense here in the Japan League that the extra stress of an added game can be very taxing!! But Shokki was up for the challenge!

On Friday we played Honda and won 7-0. I started the game and threw the 1st inning. I had 2 strike outs, gave up no hits and no walks... and since we were the visiting team and scored first, I was taken out of the game in the 2nd inning to save my innings. I had a base hit and an RBI my first at bat so I was 1-1 hitting. Once again the rules in the Japan League only allow foreign pitchers to throw 98 innings, so we have to save as many innings as possible. Once we got the lead, it is an opportunity for our Japanese pitchers to throw and finish the game. Emoto san came in and threw 4 good innings and then Juri Takayama san finished the last 2 innings and threw great! It was a good win and great way to start out the weekend for us.

On Saturday we played Hitachi Maxcell and won 7-1. I started once again and this game threw 2 innings. I had 4 strike outs, gave up no hits and had 1 walk. I was 1-1 hitting with a single and a walk. I came out of the game in the 3rd inning, again to save my innings. Emoto san threw 4 innings giving up 1 run and then Miyamoto san threw the last inning and finished the game. As I mentioned we won 7-1, and it was once again a good win for Shokki. We should have scored more runs early as we left a lot of runners on base, but we are starting to get things going... slower than we want, but a win is a win and we are working hard.

On Sunday we had our biggest challenge of the weekend. We played Taiyo Yuden, which is one of the best hitting teams in league. In fact they were one of only 4 teams to make the final tournament last year and are always a good competitive game. They have a couple of Beijing Olympic players on the team and are just a strong team all around. I started the game, and pitched all 7 innings. We won 3-0. I pitched a 3 hitter with 8 K's and was 1-3 hitting with a single. Sakai san pitched for Yuden and will also be pitching for the Japanese Olympic Team in Beijing. The win was hard fought, and it was a great way to finish the weekend! I was happy we came away with 3 big wins for our team and also excited to be able to get some rest this week as it is GOLDEN WEEK here in Japan. A very important Japanese Holiday. We have 2 days off from practice and I know the team is going to be resting up!

Thanks for checking in and good luck to everyone is their seasons!

I'll be in touch soon!
:-) Michele

Forum: Michele's Journals

Pitch Count

Softballdad — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:16:51 GMT

I have 11 year old twins that both pitch (baseball and softball). In baseball, the league limits the number of pitches the boys can throw to 85 in one day. In softball, there is no limit. My daughter ended up throwing 120 pitches in a 5 inning game and had muscle cramps for several days afterwards. I know she should throw more pitches in practice to increase the stamina of her muscles, but I think there should still be a limit. What is an acceptable number of pitches for a girl to throw in a game? I think 85 sounds reasonable for my daughter too, but I don't have a lot of experience in this. I know most people think softball pitching is easier than baseball pitching and it may be, to a certain extent. But I know how much energy and force she throws with and I think 5 innings of fastballs is too much at 11. I would love to have some opinions on this. As her dad, I will limit her, but it's too bad that leagues and tournaments don't do the same. Thanks!!

Forum: General Discussions

Research Paper on Michele Smith

JordieJoe — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:29:59 GMT

Hello. My name is Jordan Smith and I am writing a research paper on you. I am extremely interested and love fastpitch softball. I have to relate my research paper to social studies, so I thought you would be a good subject because you started playing for USA or Japan and then you transferred to the other. How and why did you play for USA and Japan and if you were transferred and recruited, did you make the decision on your own, or did you change teams because one paid more than the other? Also what are your thoughts on getting fastpitch softball more recognized and more rewarding for females? I don't understand why men are paid so much more than women when they play the same sport! I would love to hear from you and get your thoughts on the subject. Thank you! Jordie Joe

Forum: Tell Michele

Framing from your pt. of view

EffortandAttitude — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:09:39 GMT

Hello Michele,
Question about catching, I have had a debate with 2 knowledgeable woman of softball. C- Mackenzie V. from U of A. and Nancy Evans. I have been catching Men's fastpitch for 20 years. I love to frame the corners, as my P is in the wind up,I slide to the corner of the plate and place my mitt on the black of the plate and when the ball hits the mitt there I get the call 99% of the time. Both Mac & Nancy tell me,they don't want to move to tip the batter of the location. I even had Mac demonstrate how she does it-moving her arm across her body(outside pitch) and squeezing to frame(My thinking is if the Ump sees the C having to reach,he will assume it is a ball.). They both say they get that call and can call from the dugout to help their batter when the opposing catcher moves early. But I rather give my P every chance to get the call. Then I saw the Japanese or Chinese C,at the KFC World Cup, she was moving way out of the catcher's area and left the umpire unprotected. Just wondering what your thoughts were as a P, What do you prefer your catcher to do?

Thanks Rich
Long Valley NJ

Forum: Tell Michele

4/21/08: Japan Pro League Games from 4/19 & 4/20!

MicheleSmith — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:36:40 GMT

We won both games this week! They were tough battles!

On Saturday we beat Sagawa 5-0. I pitched 6 innings. Gave up 2 hits, 2 BB and 10 K's. I was 0-2 hitting with a walk. It was a good game, but we have lots of work to do. It is going to be another hard and competitive season and we need to play our best if we are to have a chance to defend our Championship.

On Sunday we beat Shiyonogi Pharmaceuticals 3-2. It was not a great game for us. We left 10 runners on base and had many opportunities to break the game open. Shiyonogi is always an aggressive team and the longer you allow them to stay in the game, the harder the game is. I was 2-3 with an RBI hitting. Not sure of my pitching stats but I did not have the game I am capable of. I had more walks than my liking that is for sure!!

We have 3 big games this weekend and all will be tough for sure!! I hope everyone is well back home in the US and having a great spring season!!! Good Luck!!

Forum: Michele's Journals

Starting Pitching

Connie1989 — Thur, 10 Apr 2008 13:22:15 GMT

Hi Michelle,

I am in my second year of coaching girls softball, ages 8-12. I am wondering the best way to start these young girls out pitching. Many of them have never even played softball, or picked up a softball, etc. Last season I invited some high school girls to come in and work with them during practices, and they started them on 'the K'. Not doing the full windmill pitch. Is this the best way to introduce the girls, or what would be best to get them to work up their form, getting the ball across the plate, then working on their speed.

Also, your pitching instructional videos - what age level are they geared at? I would love to have the girls watch them, but I don't want to be above where they are starting.

We are just building the girls softball program in our town, and when we played against other town teams last summer, my girls stood in awe. Our fielding is great, I need to work on the pitching, and hitting. As they are not used to the fastpitching of the other teams.

Any help you can offer would be great. Thanks Michelle!

Forum: Tell Michele

4/7/08: Japan Pro League Games: Toyota Shokki vs. Chinese Taipei Olympic Team!

MicheleSmith — Thur, 10 Apr 2008 00:23:36 GMT

Hey all! Here are the results from the game this weekend in Japan:

Shokki beat the Chinese Taipei Olympic Team 5-0. I pitched a 1 hitter with 10 strike outs in 6 innings and went 2 for 3 batting.

More updates soon!

Forum: Michele's Journals

Books

NOFEAR — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:47:44 GMT

Hey Michele,
I just wanted to tell you that my mom got both of your new books, they were a surprise for me and my dad. I read the one book, and I really enjoyed it!!! GREAT JOB.

Looking forward to seeing you on T.V. and over the summer,

Kara :)

Forum: Tell Michele

Youth Sports Interactive

LawrenceHsieh — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:35:59 GMT

Hi, my name is Lawrence Hsieh, and I'm Michele's co-author on her two softball books. I've launched a new website called Youth Sports Interactive. The link is http://youthsportsinteractive.wetpaint.com/

I am writing to invite you to join the Youth Sports Interactive community. Youth Sports Interactive is a wiki-website that allows any coach, parent or player to directly post news, stories, photos and videos about their youth team, travel team, league, high school team or individual athletic achievements.

As the sites founder, I invite you to visit www.YouthSportsInteractive.wetpaint.com and then post news about your organization and its players. Thank you for your support.

Best regards,

Lawrence

Forum: General Discussions

ESPN

NOFEAR — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:10:04 GMT

Hey Michele,
I'm so excited that you commentated the USA vs. UA game and can't wait till the air it on tv. I was just wondering why ESPN decided to show it so long after the game.

Anyways my mom showed me your email and I agree that as lefties we do rule :P

Looking forward to seeing you on t.v.
KARA :) bigsmile::

Forum: Tell Michele

SOFTBALL QUESTION

twisters11chick — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:10:50 GMT

Hi Michele,

My name is Amber, i am fourteen years old and i play softball for the Wisconsin Twisters. I have been playing since i was four. The reason i am writing to you is i want to ask you a couple of questions. For my eighth grade science project i am researching what type of bat, composite or alloy would make a softball travel farther when hit. I was hoping that could write me back with an answer that i am able to us in my project. Also, do you have a video of your swing that you can attach to this email. I would like to show my peers a correct softball swing. Thank You for your time.

Sincerely,

Amber

Forum: Tell Michele

Hi Michele from Leb Twp/Voorhees HS friend

kpierro — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:20:14 GMT

Hi Michele-
Your sister, Linda, called me a few months ago to catch up after way too long. It was so great to hear from her! After thinking about our conversation, I just wanted to say "hello" to you. This is Kerry (Sullivan) Pierro from Leb Twp/Voorhees.
I live in Tampa now. My daughter, Megan, plays 8u Fastpitch for the West Pinellas Krusherz. She is the same age as Linda's son, Connor. She has become hooked on softball! I told her about you and she chose your number to wear on her uniform. She plays on some of the fields where you hold your events here in Clearwater. I got the email about your coaches clinic and I just had to say "hi" as we are both in the same area.
Maybe we can catch you when you are at one of the events, or come to one of your camps.
I hope all is great with you. We'd love to see you again.

Take care,

Kerry

Forum: Tell Michele