Among the very best
SLIPPERY ROCK — Morgan Robinson winds her right arm back and springs it forward violently.
When the softball leaves her hand, she lets out a mighty scream.
"Whhhhhaaaaaa!"
Not long after her yelp fades into the spring air, the sound of her pitch smacking against the leather of the catcher's mitt echoes around the field.
"Thwap!"
Robinson puts all she has into every pitch for the Rockets. This spring, she was one of the best pitchers in Butler County.
This summer, the Slippery Rock junior pitched and played second base for the Pittsburgh Spirit.
But at the end of this month, Robinson will face the most scrutiny and the biggest test in her softball career.
And she wouldn't have it any other way.
Robinson was one of 260 softball players in the country to be picked to play in the Queen of Diamonds Showcase at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., from Aug. 29 to 31.
Robinson had to fight her way through 2,500 applicants from 33 states and Canada to make the event.
At first, she didn't.
After filling out an extensive online survey with questions ranging from her GPA to her SATand ACT scores, and having her coaches questioned on her playing skills, Robinson was informed that she barely missed the cut.
Robinson was the second alternate at pitcher. Her heart sunk.
"Honestly, I was so crushed," Robinson said. "Being the second alternate made it worse. I was
that close. It would have been easier if I was dead last."Robinson still hadn't come to grips with her near miss when she received another phone call five days later.The voice on the other end of the line told her there was a spot open for her — in the outfield.Robinson pitched 99 percent of the time atSlipperyRock. With the Pittsburgh Spirit, she either pitched or played second base. She had very little experience in the outfield.But it didn't matter to her. There was a spot and she was going to take it."I didn't care where I played," Robinson said. "I just want to get noticed."Robinson plays softball year-round.In the winter, she practices three days a week and plays games indoors at a racketball club inGreen Tree on Saturdays.The field isn't regulation and fly balls routinely smack against the rafters, but it is still softball — in the winter in Western Pennsylvania."Playing year-round really helps me," Robinson said. "I've learned so much because of all the ball I've played. I don't know what I'd do without softball."In Rock Hill, Robinson will be like the other 259 players. They all want to impress the college coaches and scouts to get a scholarship.Robinson has a clear plan for her future in the sport. In a year from now, she wants to commit to a college.At what position is anyone's guess.While sometimes dominant with the Rockets, Robinson doesn't have the ideal velocity for a college pitcher."Pitching is still open for me," Robinson said. "Right now, college pitchers throw between 60 and 65 mph. I'm not quite there yet. Realistically, I just want to go and play ball. I just really want to play at the next level."In fact,Robinson would welcome leaving the circle."My first love is actually playing in the field," she said. "I love pitching, but in the field I can enjoy the game more."There's nothing wrong with her bat. Robinson has been one of the most consistent hitters in the Slippery Rock lineup since she first joined the team as a freshman.Robinson has been busy in the weeks leading up to the showcase.She said she has sent between 45 and 50 e-mails to college coaches, letting them know she will be at the showcase and that in two years, she will be ready to join a college softball program."I've e-mailed coaches who will be at the showcase and even coaches who won't," Robinson said. "It's good to let them know, 'Hey, I made it to the biggest showcase in the nation.'"
