#1 FALL BALL PHOTOS

Hundreds of pictures to review
Blog will post fall ball photo
highlights in the coming days

In the coming days, this blog will post a series of online photo albums showcasing the Wesley College fastpitch Wolverines at yesterday’s fall softball games on the Delcastle Softball Fields, Wilmington Delaware.

Between the total of shots taken by this blog and many more contributed by Jose Marcano, father of Assistant Coach Nina Marcano, there are more than 12 gigabytes of digital action pictures. Over the next week, all of these will be reviewed and sorted, often cropped and enhanced, then loaded to a public Google Photos webpage to share with blog readers.

In this initial post, CLICK HERE for 50 photographs taken by the blog of just first few innings of the first game of the Wesley Wolverines versus the Nyack College Warriors.

Again, there are LOTS – much, much more – photos to come. If you don’t find a specific player in this first batch, rest assured she will be part of future posts about these fall games. In fact, you may grow weary of a number of pictures from the Saturday contests that will be appearing on this blog in the days ahead.

FALL SOFTBALL TRIPLEHEADER 

Saturday, September 30. Many more photos to come.

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CLICK HERE FOR 50 ACTION SHOTS!

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CLICK HERE for 50 photographs  

of first few innings of the Wolverines vs the Nyack Warriors. 

Many more photos of the tripleheader games to come soon.

CLICK HERE FOR THE WESLEY WOLVERINE FASTPITCH CHEER VIDEO

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PRACTICE 9-29

FALL SOFTBALL PRACTICE,

Friday, September 29

Tripleheader @ Delcastle Softball Fields,

Saturday, September 30, first game 10:00 AM.

From top, left-to-right Wesley Wolverines
freshman #24 P/OF Zoee Garis (Lebanon, PA),
sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos (Chambersburg, PA),
freshman #9 OF/C Miranda Kinney (Bethlehem PA),
freshman #32 OF Kelly Palmer (Hershey, PA),
freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ),
freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ),
freshman #5 UT Amanda Curry (Williamsport, MD),
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Middletown, DE),
freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD),
junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE),
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ),
sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).

PRACTICE GAME

CLICK HERE FOR THE SHOULDERS,
KNEES, TOES & CONES VIDEO

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Wesley Wolverine freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos (Chambersburg, PA).

JUST KEEP GOING!

CLICK HERE FOR THE INCREDIBLE
BELLA PICARD STORY VIDEO

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From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverines
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ),
freshman #24 P/OF Zoee Garis (Lebanon, PA),
freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD),
freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos (Chambersburg, PA).

PRACTICE 9-28

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CLICK HERE FOR
33 PHOTOS ALBUM

OF WOLVERINES PREPARING 

FOR SATURDAY FALL BALL @

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ndzkgft2Iq4620Xo2

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CLICK HERE FOR WOLVERINE 9-28 FASTPITCH PRACTICE PHOTO SLIDESHOW 

Pictured, Wesley Wolverine freshman #17 

P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ)

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REBUILD PUERTO RICO

Click here to support
REACH-OUT * REBUILD * RESTART
Puerto Rico
By Wesley College Wolverines Volleyball.

SOCCER GAME

This Instagram post from last Thursday, September 21

TOP ROW, left-to-right, Wesley Fastpitch Wolverines #4 P/ UT Abbey,
#23 UT Brooke, #24 P/OF Zoee, #9 OF/C Miranda, #32 OF Kelly,
#1 MI Bianca, #5 UT Amanda, #25 P/ 1B Dori, #17 P/ 1B Juli.
FRONT ROW, #99 OF Lauren, #13 UT Ashley, #8 OF Megan,
#2 3B/SS Karina, #12 C/INF Mykayla.

DO YOUR BEST

From top, Wesley Wolverines
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Middletown, DE),
sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

College + travel-ball teams
24 games to be played
at Saturday tournament

If three Wesley Wolverine fastpitch games are not enough softball for you this weekend, there’s plenty more action happening at the Delcastle Softball Fields on both Saturday and Sunday, September 30 and October 1.

According to USA Softball of Maryland DC Delaware, there are 22 college and travel-ball teams set to play side-by-side in the quadrangle of softball fields.

College teams scheduled for Saturday, September 30, are our ■ Wesley College Wolverines, ■ Nyack College Warriors, ■ Goldey-Beacom Lightning, ■ Rowan University Profs, ■ Wilmington University Wildcats and ■ Swarthmore College Garnet. The latter, Swarthmore Garnet, will be opening day opponents for the Wolverines in the spring.

College teams on Sunday, October 1, when the Wolverines do NOT play, are ■ University of Science Devils, ■ College of NJ Lions, ■ Penn State Abington Lions, and ■ Chesapeake College Skipjacks.

CLICK HERE for the full schedule as posted by USA Softball.

Below are the games happening around the Wolverines’ scheduled times.

From top, Wesley Wolverines
freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ),
sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
freshman #32 OF Kelly Palmer (Hershey, PA)
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA).

FALL BALL WEATHER

WEEKEND WEATHER REPORT: As of today, Wednesday,
the forecast for Saturday’s fall-ball triple-header is “partly sunny”, high of 69 with some “passing showers” (or – cross your fingers – quite possibly, no rain at all.)

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CLICK HERE to watch through this week the AccuWeather forecast for Saturday, September 30, at zip code 19808, Delcastle Softball Fields, Wilmington, Delaware.

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From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverines
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ),
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ).

PRACTICE 9-26

FALL SOFTBALL PRACTICE,

Tuesday, September 26

Two more fielding, hitting workouts & a lifting session 

before tripleheader @ Delcastle Softball Fields,

Saturday, September 30, first game 10:00 AM.

FIVE BASIC PITCHES

Five basic pitches
Don’t look for the fastball
in a fastpitch softball game

The casual fastpitch fan often thinks every pitch thrown in a softball game is a fastball.

From top, Wesley Wolverines
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel
(Haddon Township, NJ),
freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos
(Chambersburg, PA),
freshman #24 P/OF Zoee Garis
(Lebanon, PA),
freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse
(Cecilton, MD).

Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, fastballs are rarely seen by college batters who are more than ready to easily drive such pitches for extra bases that approach the plate, no matter the speed, in a straightforward direction.

Instead, fans may spot five or more basic “spin” pitches emerging out of the pitcher’s windmill delivery. That is, a variety of balls that are tossed by the pitcher with adept twists (“snap”) of the wrist. This puts an extra special spin on the ball, which launches it on several different irregular paths. Basic examples are…

► THE DROP BALL sinks suddenly as it approaches the batter. It almost always induces ground balls. Catchers are challenged too, as drop balls may fall drastically enough to bounce off the plate.

► THE CURVE BALL looks like a fastball but then breaks away from a right-handed batter. Thrown correctly, fans can expect to witness lots of fouls or swings and misses!

► THE SCREWBALL veers inside to a right-handed batter. Again, it looks like a fastball but it tails sharply into the right-handed batter’s hands. Watch for pop-ups and groundouts.

► THE RISE BALL is probably the most difficult pitch for a pitcher to successfully master. Gravity actually makes it impossible to hurl in baseball’s overhand throw from a raised mound. It’s the opposite of the drop ball as it seems to defy physics by spinning upward as it reaches the batter, who generally raises her wrists for a weak swing or lets it sail by, hoping for high ball call.

► THE CHANGE-UP, on average, travels 30% slower than other pitches, though – to fool the batter – it must be thrown from a windup speed no different than any other pitch. It’s best tossed low and outside. The pitch can be tantalizing to the batter who must greatly (some say “desperately”) adjust her swing or too often take a strike call.

Then there are variations on these pitches. There’s a DROP CURVE, a BACKDOOR SCREWBALL or even the KNUCKLEBALL.

Fastpitch is not all about fastballs. It’s a game of amazing skill whether snapping a pitch from the circle or recognizing spin and driving the ball for a hit as a batter!

From left, Wesley Wolverines sophomore #6 P/UT Allison Mills (Leonardtown, MD) and senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Middletown, DE).

SOFTBALL BOUNCE

From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverine
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ),
sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).

HITTING CHALLENGES

Must remain positive
Fastpitch hitting’s
mental challenges

Three quotes from a longer article “by Becky” titled “Overcoming the Mental Challenges of Softball Hitting” posted at the softball-spot website.

“THE SUCCESSFUL HITTER HAS THE ABILITY TO BE A POSITIVE, AGGRESSIVE THINKER before the at-bat, and then rely upon her physical skills and muscle memory in the batter’s box. It is a thinking game only up to the time of the physical performance; then her instincts and athletic abilities must take over...

“THE CHALLENGE OF SOFTBALL HITTING ALSO INVOLVES SLUMPS; those times when a hitter is having few or no quality at-bats. Slumps can be caused by mental and/or physical fatigue, a poor mental approach, lack of trust and confidence, or a mechanical problem. It requires going back to the basic fundamentals.

“MOST PLAYERS WANT TO PRACTICE HARDER DURING SLUMPS when their body and brain needs just the opposite. The hitter must acknowledge the slump and know it is real just as she deals with her fears. They are a natural part of softball and inevitable because of the nature and the difficulty of the game. However, she must not give into the negative thoughts associated with a slump.”

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD).

RISE BALL

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“The mystical rise ball defies sheer logic,
confounding hitters of every level of softball...”

-  Alex Byington and Angel Verdejo from their Killeen Daily Herald article

Why the rise ball is the most baffling softball pitch to hit.

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Probably so...
Is a good rise ball closest to
THE unhittable softball pitch?

Advice from “Michelle” edited and summarized from a much longer article titled “8 Tips for Hitting a Riseball” at the Winning Softball blog.

TIPS FOR HITTING THE RISEBALL...

" KNOW THE PITCHER’S TENDENCIES- watch when you are in the dugout … how often she relies on it.

" RECOGNIZE THE SPIN EARLY– The spin of a rise ball is a more rapid spin that will go directly underneath the ball and up. The spin will not be sideways like a curve ball or screw and it won’t be going over the top of the ball like a drop ball or drop curve/screw.

" STAND IN THE FRONT OR THE BACK OF THE BOX- (Stand in the front) to hit the ball before it breaks. If you stand in the back, it challenges the pitcher to keep her rise ball under control. If the ball rises too much, it will be called a ball...

" Keep your HANDS A TOUCH HIGHER than normal...

" As you go to the ball SWING ON A LINEAR PLANE OR DOWNWARD at the ball. Swinging upward will allow your back shoulder to drop which makes you get under the ball…

" KEEP YOUR HELMET LOW– This helps me to see the ball off of my dark helmet and eliminate glare on the ball. I can see the rate at which the ball is approaching my brim which helps me to recognize if the pitch will be a ball. This also helps me to recognize the spin on the ball more clearly.”

From top, Wesley Wolverines junior #13 Utility Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA)
and senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Middletown, DE).

PITCHING PRACTICE

FALL PITCHING

SOFTBALL PRACTICE, 

Sunday, September 24

The four Wesley Wolverine hurlers at very top, left-to-right,
freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD),
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ),
freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos (Chambersburg, PA),
freshman #24 P/OF Zoee Garis (Lebanon, PA).

PLAN FOR SATURDAY

ALL GAMES PLAYED @ Delcastle Softball Fields, 

2920 Duncan Road

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. 

Schedule: WESLEY COLLEGE WOLVERINES (D3) versus: 

10:00 am, Field #1: Nyack College Warriors (D2), 

12:00 noon, Field #4 Goldey-Beacom Lightning (D2), 

4:00 pm, Field #1 Rowan Profs (D3) ranked #5 in the East!

NOTE: *Concession stand, indoor bathrooms, free admission availability 

is assumed & solely based on past experience with this venue. 

PICKING RIGHT BAT

CLICK HERE FOR THE 
PICKING THE RIGHT BAT VIDEO

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THE OFFICIAL BAT of the Wesley Wolverines is the Louisville Slugger Xeno. Its unique “S1iD Technology” allows the bat to literally bend which creates a sling shot effect when contact is made with the ball!

  CLICK HERE FOR THE 2017 BLOG POST ABOUT THE XENO DESIGN.

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD).

7 DAYS, FALL BALL

FROM TOP, Wesley Wolverine FRESHMAN HURLERS 

#17 P/ 1B Julianna Neel (Haddon Township, NJ), 

#25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos (Chambersburg, PA), 

#24 P/OF Zoee Garis (Lebanon, PA), 

NOT SHOWN, #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD).

FLU SHOTS

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #6 P/UT Allison Mills (Leonardtown, MD).

GET FIT VIDEO

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CLICK HERE FOR THE WOLVERINE 
FASTPITCH GET ACTIVE / GET FIT VIDEO

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Pictured, Wesley Wolverine freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ), junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE), junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA), freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ).

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TELL IT'S PRACTICE

Wesley Wolverine freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD).

ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS

CLICK HERE FOR THE WOLVERINES' 
“ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS” PRACTICE VIDEO

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From left, Wesley Wolverines sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski
(Baltimore, MD) and junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE).

PRACTICE 9-21

FALL SOFTBALL PRACTICE,

Thursday, September 21

From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverines
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
freshman #24 P/OF Zoee Garis (Lebanon, PA),
freshman #9 OF/C Miranda Kinney (Bethlehem PA),
freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD).

At top, Wesley Wolverine, throwing and catching,
sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).
Bottom, left-to-right, freshman #5 UT Amanda Curry
(Williamsport, MD) and freshman
#1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ).

At top, Wesley Wolverine, throwing, catching, tagging the runner,
sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD).
Middle photo, sliding, freshman #5 UT Amanda Curry
(Williamsport, MD). Bottom, left-to-right,
freshman #17 P/ 1B Julianna Neel (Haddon Township, NJ)
and senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Middletown, DE).

From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverines
freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar
(Egg Harbor City, NJ) and
freshman #32 OF Kelly Palmer (Hershey, PA).
Middle photo, forefront, freshman
#1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ), running,
sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).
Bottom, left-to-right, freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos
(Chambersburg, PA) and junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE).

PRESEASON STAGES

CLICK HERE for the FULL ARTICLE
by Wesley Wolverine soccer player
#8 Sammy Williams (Tallmadge, Ohio).

From top, Wesley Wolverine sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski
(Baltimore, MD) and junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE).

GREAT TEAMMATE

Wesley Wolverine senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Middletown, DE).

ALL IN--

Sliding, Wesley Wolverine junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA).

HARNESS PRESSURE

Three ways
Harness the power of a
pressure “opportunity”

Below are quotes that summarize a larger article titled “3 Ways You Can Use Pressure To Improve Your Performance” at the We Are One Softball website.

“… performing under pressure is actually a great opportunity to grow and get to the next level. Moving past your fear of failure can be uncomfortable, but if you are always comfortable, you will never be great.

“There are three ways to harness the power of a high-pressure situation...

Wesley Wolverine freshman #12 C/INF 

Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ).

“1. Put it in Perspective...

“Playing a game is not a matter of life or death...

“2. Prepare 
to be great...

“The more work you put in, the more deserving you feel when those moments are presented to you...

“3. Embrace 

your good fortune.

“Take a deep breath and recognize how lucky you are to be playing the game you love...

“Pressure is a strange beast. It comes to those who desire to succeed. Think of it as an opportunity and a launching pad into your future.”

From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverines
sophomore #23 UT Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL),
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
freshman #5 UT Amanda Curry (Williamsport, MD).