Top November Performances

Welcome new students:
Isabella M.
MaryFaith S.
Laura V.

New speed highs:
Ashley G.-52 mph
Anne Marie R.-45 mph
Tara N.- 41mph
New Plate Game High:
Natalie K.-85
Top Wall Drill Increase:
Sam T.-21%
Rachel B.-14%
Anna H.-12%
New personal bests:
1 min. snap-Katharine P. 47
Blue Wall --Heather F.-6 misses
Lisa W. --0 misses
Warm Up Drills:
Top Monthly Average:
Katharine P. 76.3%
New Personal Bests:
Rachel B. 83%
Hannah W. 83%
Melanie N. 100%
Jen Z. 100%
New Pitches:
Zoey F. Drop-change
Rachel E. Drop-change
Hannah O. Drop
Congratulations to the November top performers!

Exerpted from an Article by Niksports

Lane Tech's Young Guns
The softball scene in the Chicagoland area is generally dominated by the suburban teams. Lane Tech is getting ready to make some noise. They have quietly built up a team of young guns to give those suburban teams a challenge and recapture the City Championship. The Pioneer Press called them the "three-headed monster." They aren't very tall, they may not put the fear into a hitter...until they see the first pitch. Whoever said that dynamite comes in small packages may have been talking about Lane Tech's Trio of Young Guns.
This young pitching staff is led by Jazzy Camacho, Jackie Manrique and Samantha Nikolich.
All three of these young ladies have a couple things in common. Their fathers have all coached softball/baseball. They all played travel softball on the Outburst with Xavier Manrique as head coach. They also at one time or another took pitching lessons from Bill Wozney of North Shore Sports.
Sam still trains with Bill Wozney, he had this to say about her, "I realized at a fall league game how fearless Sam was when I challenged her to throw three consecutive change-ups in a row. She did and struck out the batter on three pitches. Sam just wants to win."
Bill's dedication to teaching pitching shows. He went on to say, "Northshore sports has been teaching girls fastpitch for ten years. I believe the girls realize that I really care about their success and that seems to motivate them to work harder. All my gratification comes from the girls pitching well at a competitive level. For the last four years we have sent girls to pitch at division 1 in college."
CLICK HERE to read the entire article.
Ed. note: Jazzy is now pitching in college; Jackie and Sam are completing their senior year and are looking forward to their college softball careers.

Softball Champs

2009 Glenview Fall Ball League Playoffs



12u Winner: P.R. Pistols (Sorry for the terrible picture - I'm working on that. Meanwhile CLICK HERE for a bigger picture.)



14u Winner: Trevians
CLICK HERE for a bigger picture








16u Winner: Chi-Town Explosion
CLICK HERE for a bigger picture



CONGRATULATIONS to all the teams. See you next season!

Heather's Story

The Trevian 10u team tryouts were on October 3rd. Heather Franson pitched for the C team last year which was her first year of travel ball. I said she pitched but that's sort of a stretch. Once in a while Heather actually got the ball over the plate but it was also over the backstop.
But that didn't discourage Heather. She had a goal: she wanted to be on the top Trevian Blue team.
After the 2009 season ended in July Heather practiced religiously with her dad. Sometimes she went to lessons twice a week instead of just once. She was dedicated. And it paid off - she increased her speed by five miles per hour, a phenomenal accomplishment. And then she was actually throwing strikes.
The teams were recently announced for 2010 and Heather made the blue team, achieving her goal. Way to go, Heather!

Girls Fastpitch Tips

The most important thing in fastpitch is learning the fundamentals and developing the proper mechanical skills. This student is practicing the basics, correctly following through with the proper use of the power line. When her stride foot lands correctly, she has the best chance to throw strikes.
In my ten years as an elite fastpitch coach I've worked with eight pitchers from Northeastern Illinois who've gone on to play successfully at the college level, and 15 girls who are currently pitching at the varsity level.
I can help to insure your daughter's future at something she loves.
Call me at 773.883.1863.

Photos from the Tulip Tournament