Quote Originally Posted by csg4c1k View Post
Kelly Heinz throws harder, Maggie Tyler puts more spin on the ball but still throws pretty hard. I haven't watched Maggie hit so can't comment on hitting. Just hoping Kelly can make a full recovery from her surgery. Watched her 2 weeks ago in a showcase hitting (not pitching) and she was hitting the ball real well. Bottom line to me is if you throw straight you're going to get hit no matter how hard you throw it. I had heard that Kelly had been working more on her movement and just wonder if that is what led to her injury. Both of them are outstanding players and great pick-ups for the Hokies. Just as an aside I know of 3 other pretty competitive pitchers (two 18U Gold and one Divison 2 Pitcher) who have the same type of injury right now.
I am in Richmond and my girls play travel ball so I try to keep up with local fastpitch players.

Kelly was throwing 68/69 before injury. If she can get back to that number, not sure how much it will matter that it is coming in somewhat straight (she did formerly have some movement on the ball). Keep in mind, reaction time for batter at 70 MPH women's fastpitch (0.419 seconds) is virtually same as 100 MPH men's baseball (0.413 seconds). Difference is women can throw that all game long because of the motion vs. men at that speed are closers. I agree though that if the pitches are just grooved, hitters may catch up with them. Kelly's injury was a matter of an Ulnar nerve in the wrong place for her motion and the surgery put the nerve on top of her elbow. Supposedly the surgery went well and she will be back to 100% by school year. If she were not so good at pitching, you would hear a lot more about her hitting as she is definitely a hitter.

Don't know anything about Maggie but she was offered as a Sophomore which speaks volumes. I am sure she is pretty incredible. Having both of these young ladies will be a huge asset. Coach Thomas deserves a lot of praise to be able to bring players of the caliber of these two on in the same year.