HAPPY NEW YEAR

CLICK HERE FOR 2017 
TEAM MEMORIES VIDEO

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HAPPY NEW YEAR
From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverines
freshman #32 OF Kelly Palmer (Hershey, PA),
junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE),
freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ),
freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar
(Egg Harbor City, NJ).

Wesley Wolverine freshman #5 UT Amanda Curry (Williamsport, MD).

EXTRA MILE

From top, Wesley Wolverines
freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD),
sophomore #23 MI Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE).

UP HILL SUCCESS

From left, Wesley Wolverine
freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos
(Chambersburg, PA) and
freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar
(Egg Harbor City, NJ).

BEST DRESSED

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #2
3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).

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CLICK HERE FOR THE “BEST DRESSED
COLLEGE & CLUB TEAMS OF 2017”.

XENO BAT

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

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Click here for a series of past blog posts
about the official Wolverine team bat:
 Louisville Slugger Xeno!

AUSSIE SPIRIT

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CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY 

AT THE CHICAGO BANDITS WEBSITE.

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See also ► Aussie Spirit Facebook page 

► Softball Australia homepage 

NOTE: The ScrapYard Dawgs have promoted the addition 

of the Beijing Shougang Eagles to the professional ranks.

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Wesley Wolverine sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).

MARLINS VS WOLVERINES

CLICK HERE FOR FPN’S REVIEW:

“TOP 10 STORIES OF 2017”

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CLICK HERE FOR THE VIRGINIA WESLEYAN

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP VIDEO.

From top, left-to-right, Wesley Wolverines in 
the game against Virginia Wesleyan Marlins,

senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Bear, DE), 

junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA), 

sophomore #23 MI Brooke Retkowski
(Baltimore, MD), 

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

NOT SHOWN: sophomore #2 

3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL) 

who also played in the game. 

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WOLVERINES PLAYED 

HARD AGAINST MARLINS 

The game was not an uneven match and one that went the full seven innings, as the Wesley Wolverines challenged the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins at home on DuPont Softball Field, Dover, DE. 

Ashley Royer started the Wolverine offense in the first inning with a hit off of the National Freshman of the Year, Marlin pitcher Hanna Hull. Ashley also assisted in turning the only double play for either team on the day. (Box score)

AT-HOME WORKOUT

Wesley Wolverine freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ).

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CLICK HERE FOR THE
“BALLS AND STRIKES” MAGAZINE ONLINE,
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF USA SOFTBALL.

SPECIAL TREAT PLANNED

From left, Wesley Wolverines freshman #17 
P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ) and 
sophomore #23 MI Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD).

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STAY TUNED TO (LIKE & BOOKMARK)
WESLEY COLLEGE SOFTBALL FACEBOOK PAGE @ www.facebook.com/WesleyCollegeSoftball

A COOL YULE!

From left, TOP ROW: Wesley Wolverines
sophomore #6 P/UT Allison Mills (Leonardtown, MD),
senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Bear, DE),
sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL),
sophomore #23 MI Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
THIRD ROW: Head Coach Juli Greep,
freshman #4 P/ UT Abbey Mayse (Cecilton, MD),
freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos (Chambersburg, PA),
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ),
freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ),
SECOND ROW: Assistant Coach Nina Marcano,
sophomore #7 OF Brandi Dalious (Harrington, DE),
freshman #5 UT Amanda Curry (Williamsport, MD),
freshman #32 OF Kelly Palmer (Hershey, PA),
freshman #9 OF/C Miranda Kinney (Bethlehem PA),
BOTTOM ROW: junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ),
junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE).

BEST OF THIS WINTRY SEASON TO ALL,
Pictured above, senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Bear, DE).

2018 COMING SOON

From top, Wesley Wolverines
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ),
sophomore #23 MI Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD),
freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ).

ALL I WANT

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CLICK HERE FOR THE
UNC "ALL I WANT" MUSIC VIDEO

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Wesley Wolverine junior #8
OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE).

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SOFTBALL SLAP-HITTERS can reach speeds of 19 mph, racing home to first in as little as 2.66 seconds. A third base fielder can take no more than 1.5 seconds (or throw faster than 100 mph) to record that out. – ESPN Analysis

NORTH MYRTLE UPDATE

► CLICK HERE for the Myrtle Beach Online story.

The Wesley Wolverines will play eight games the week of March 11 at the North Myrtle Beach Complex, South Carolina.

See also ► Complex's Shark Wake (Aqua) Park
► Complex's Go Ape! ► Complex’s walking/ bike trails
► Complex map. (Note: there are two “dog parks” on the complex map BUT dogs are NOT allowed in the softball fields and stands area.)

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

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

CLICK HERE FOR THE 
AMANDA CHIDESTER VIDEO

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Wesley Wolverine freshman #12 C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ).

BANDITS VIDEO

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CLICK HERE FOR THE CHICAGO BANDITS HOLIDAY VIDEO

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Wesley Wolverine junior #8 OF Megan DiRubbio (Smyrna, DE).

UPCOMING YEAR

Though some things change year by year, the goal of what we want at the beginning of each year and at the end of each year remains the same: HAPPINESS.

Everyone’s version looks different.

We set other little goals along the way to try to reach that big goal of inner Happiness and Joy and to feel it as much as possible throughout the year.

Looking back at 2017, while looking forward to 2018 with this in mind and the goal that all of my actions and decisions will reflect one of these lines below....

“Find balance in your life.

Work hard but don’t let work take of your life, you will lose yourself.

Love, but love for the right reasons.

Life is too short for anything mediocre.

Know who you are and know that you are worthy of reaching your dreams and that it is never too late to start creating that life you have always dreamed of.

Do not compare yourself to others, that is just deadly.

No two souls are the same.

You are your own person, you are beautiful and unique.

Wesley Wolverine freshman #32 OF Kelly Palmer (Hershey, PA).

Put your trust in the universe.

Some things are just meant to happen, and some are not.

Let go of whatever is stealing your happiness,it’s hard but it’s worth it.

Embrace change.

Embrace life.

Everything happens for a reason, sometimes you just need to breathe, trust and let go.”

I could read this over and over again knowing that it doesn’t matter what year numbers are on the calendar or what New Years resolution(s) I come up with....it all comes back to finding what makes you happy and the best version of yourself.

Set the intention that any goal you have in the back of your mind and the decisions you face throughout the year are leading you toward that consistent happiness, not away from it.

I’ll do the same with you...

...in anticipation of the amazing things that will come our way in due time with the consistent choices of happiness and faith over fear throughout the new year.

Our choices won’t always be easy and we won’t be perfect at them, but let’s learn from the mistakes we made this year to help us choose better for this upcoming year.

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

DEFENSIVE PLAY

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF 
"MUST SEE" DEFENSIVE PLAY

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

AWARDED A TOP BLOG

Wolverine fastpitch blog 

honored as a top resource

The Wesley Softball Blog, which you are reading now, has been ranked 35th of 75 blogs chosen (as of December 20, 2017) from thousands of fastpitch sites indexed using search and social metrics. The data is reviewed once a week by Feedspot, an RSS Reader service.

The rankings are based on four criteria: (1) Google reputation and Google search ranking, (2) influence and popularity on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites, (3) quality and consistency of posts, and (4) Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review.

Click here to find links to the 75 softball blogs spotlighted, where  a popup box gives you the option to click through or enter a paid subscription to the RSS Reader service.

ALWAYS BELIEVE

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

PUJOLS VS FINCH

CLICK HERE FOR THE 
PUJOLS VS FINCH VIDEO

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From top, Wesley Wolverines
freshman #17 P/ 1B Juli Neel (Haddon Township, NJ),
freshman #25 P/ 1B Dori Loukopoulos (Chambersburg, PA).

WBSC WORLD RANKINGS

Pictured above, Wesley Wolverine freshman 

#5 UT Amanda Curry (Williamsport, MD).

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CLICK HERE for the WBSC press release headlined 

“U.S. passes Japan to claim No. 1 spot”, which ranks 

the world teams through the top 63. It includes each 

team's ranking change since 2016 and points awarded.

WAKE UP WITH A SMILE

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #2 3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Wesley Wolverine freshman #32 OF Kelly Palmer (Hershey, PA).

VISUALIZATION

VISUALIZATION MAXIMIZES
YOUR FASTPITCH POTENTIAL

Paragraphs below pulled from an article headlined “3 Simple Ways to Visualize Victory” by Blake DeHaven at MySportsMentor.com. Please CLICK HERE for the full story.

“The art of visualization is the process of constructing mental images that allow athletes to mentally prepare for what they want to come. These simple steps can help...

“RELAX… enables the brain to vividly process mental images… taking deep breaths and relaxing muscles… This process stimulated the brain to start imagery.

“INTEND THE OUTCOME… begin the visualization process… rehearse the desired action or competition in their mind. While imagining the positive outcome it is also important to analyze every aspect of the event to vividly create the mental image...

“BE CONFIDENT. Visualization is a great pre-competition preparation tool, but it is essential that the athlete remains confident during the actual competition. When visualization becomes a part of an athletes training techniques they will feel more prepared having rehearsed the event… great track coach, Jose Barbosa, always said, “Your mind runs.” Maximizing the potential of the mind is the next competitive advantage in sport.”

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

LINEUP IDEAS

Speed, power, hit for average etc.

Best fastpitch lineup blends abilities
for a true cohesive & strong offense

There are many, many ways to best set up a softball lineup. 

Whichever way a coach may choose to structure it, every spot always is arranged with a definite purpose in mind. Players can bring special skills that, hopefully, depending on expected situations, will deliver runs across the plate. 

Below is just one theory for blending types of hitters in different spots in a lineup. It is pulled from an article headlined “How to Set a Softball Lineup” by by Steve Silverman posted at Livestrong.com.

LINEUP IDEAS...

1 SPOT. “BEST CONTACT HITTER… She should have an excellent eye at the plate so she can discern balls from strikes and get on base.
 
2 SPOT. “NEXT BEST CONTACT HITTER… selfless… may ask your second-place hitter to bunt the base runner to the next base.

3 SPOT. “A SKILLED HITTER (that) can drive the ball for power, hit hard line drives, get important base hits when the game is on the line and use her eye to discern balls from strikes.

4 & 5 SPOTS. “POWER HITTER… can drive it over the fence.

6 SPOT. “EXPERIENCED HITTER… key run-producing spot… relish the pressure that comes with producing key hits in the clutch.

7 & 8 SPOT. “(ANOTHER) POWER HITTER… (and/or) a similar clutch hitter (as the sixth spot).

9 SPOT. “SKILLED AT GETTING ON BASE… should both be able to bunt and not swing at poor pitches.

10 SPOT. “A SPEEDSTER… a second lead-off hitter.”

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #2
3B/SS Karina Cardona (Cooper City, FL).

NPF NEEDS YOU!

REASONS WHY the NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH (NPF) teams NEEDS YOU as an enthusiastic fan.

1. GROWS OUR GAME: 
Generates greater interest in fastpitch.
2. ELEVATES OUR GAME: 
Showcases softball at its highest level.
3. BOLSTERS OUR GAME: 
Players serve as a model of individual & team excellence.
4. EXPANDS OUR GAME: 
Holds open possibility of playing beyond college.
5. BROADENS OUR GAME: 
Develops worldwide fans through TV & live-streaming.
6. ADVANCES OUR GAME: 
NPF youth clinics are an opportunity to learn from the best.
7. ADDS EXCITEMENT TO OUR GAME: 
Creates the highest elite softball championship series.
8. ADDS ENTERTAINMENT TO OUR GAME: 
Teams travel the country offering a low-cost fun family outing.

TEAMS: ► ScrapYard Dawgs  ► Chicago Bandits  ► Akron Racers  ► USSSA Pride    (Next season: June, July, August 2018)

Wesley Wolverine freshman #12
C/INF Mykayla Bird-Clahar (Egg Harbor City, NJ).

PLAYING 1B

CLICK HERE FOR THE 
ALEXIS SMITH VIDEO

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

ALL THAT MATTERS

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

SARDINES: A SUPERFOOD?

Convenient, affordable, widely available
The disrespected sardine:
A SUPERFOOD for athletes?

Paragraphs below pulled from a much longer article headlined “Sardines: The Incredibly Powerful Superfood You've Probably Been Ignoring” that’s posted by Stack.com. Please CLICK HERE for the full story.

“According to the USDA, one can of Atlantic sardines canned in oil contains 191 calories, 11 grams of fat, 1.4 grams of saturated fat, 465mg of sodium, 365mg of potassium, 0 grams of carbohydrate and 23 grams of protein. It also contains 35% the recommended daily value (RDV) of calcium, 44% RDV of vitamin D, 136% RDV of vitamin B-12, 15% RDV of Iron, 10% RDV of vitamin B-6 and 9% RDV of magnesium.

“Anyway you slice it, that's a remarkable amount of nutrients in a single package…

Fresh fish and canned fish have
roughly the same nutritional value.

“High-quality protein provides the amino acids muscles need to repair and rebuild, allowing you to recover from exercise and get stronger over time. The body can also use protein as a source of energy, and high-protein foods enhance fullness and prevent overeating. Sardines are a complete protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids the human body cannot make on its own.

“Although 11 grams of fat is a significant amount, much of that (about 8.3 grams) is composed of either monounsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats help reduce blood pressure and protect against heart disease. They can also help the body better absorb vitamins and more efficiently use protein. Polyunsaturated fats can reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease and strokes…

“Sardines are a powerhouse of B vitamins. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "all B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B-complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B-complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver…

“In fact, sardines seem to be a sort of Swiss army knife for preventing common vitamin deficiencies. Aside from vitamin B-12, Americans are also frequently deficient in vitamin D, Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium. A serving of sardines contains 44%, 15%, 35% and 9% the RDV of each of these vitamins, respectively…

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

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“Vitamin D is closely associated with bone health, but it also has been found to have a big impact on athletic performance… Iron is a key component of hemoglobin and it's critical for transporting oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Like vitamin D, Iron also plays an important role in athletic performance…

“Calcium is crucial for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth and maintaining prove nerve and muscle function. Every organ in the body needs magnesium to operate properly… Magnesium also plays a crucial role in energy production, making it a critical mineral for athletes who want to perform their best…

“One of the few concerns regarding sardines is the sodium content. 465mg of sodium is a considerable amount, no doubt. But if you're worried about your sodium intake (the recommended daily level is 1,500mg), you can simply opt for sardines in water with no salt added. You'll still get the same basic nutritional profile, just with much less salt (about 100mg per tin).”

From left, Wesley Wolverines
senior #99 OF Lauren Hoffman (Bear, DE),
junior #13 UT Ashley Royer (Lititz, PA),
sophomore #23 MI Brooke Retkowski (Baltimore, MD).