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Chattanooga: Showcase lures 25 college coaches

By: Kelley Smiddie
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Jeremy Higdon
Kelli Smith

The fourth Southern Showcase for college softball prospects was held Tuesday at Warner Park, giving college coaches the chance to scout potential signees from the next three graduating classes.

Twenty-five coaches were on hand as nearly 100 athletes participated in exercises that measured all phases of the game. Some were held at Frost Stadium. Others were at Hargraves Field.

Fury Fastpitch 18-under Gold coach Jeremy Higdon coordinated the event along with the Fury organization’s overseer, Pat Moyer.

“This is something we did four years ago for our own players,” Moyer said. “We did it to expose them to college coaches, and it went really well. The first year we probably had 10 coaches come out. They kept telling me they wanted to see more. Then we started thinking, ‘What can we do better? What do we add? What do we take away?’ I think the main thing they wanted is for us to make sure we keep having barbecue.”

The showcase used to conclude with a scrimmage, but Moyer and Higdon said coaches told them they weren’t as interested in that as they were in watching the individual drills that took place beforehand.

This year coaches were provided with a manual that included a player-profile page for each participant and ways to contact them. Athletes in the graduating classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011 were given jerseys the same color as their classmates. Their numbers corresponded with the number on their profile page, which was printed on the same color paper as the jersey.

Moyer said every NCAA Division I school in Tennessee had a representative at the showcase this year. With head coach Frank Reed away at a camp in Florida, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was represented by assistant coach Brad Irwin. He said UTC was fortunate to have such an event on its home field.

“You get to see a little bit more individual skills than you might see in a game,” Irwin said. “Someone might get two balls hit to them in a game, or get two at-bats in a time-limit game. Out here you see things kind of like a practice would be.

“I like seeing the outfielders throw to each base and home plate. In a game they don’t always get to do that. They might end up throwing it in to second every time, because the game situation may not call for it.”

Tennessee was represented by pitching coach Marty McDaniel. He said an increase in early verbal commitments has caused recruiting to change a great deal recently. He was looking at athletes from all classes, but mainly the young ones.

“I like speed,” McDaniel said of what he looks for in a pitcher. “Speed and control have to go hand in hand. If they’ve got speed, we can teach them how to make the ball move.”

Another pitching coach, South Carolina’s Angela Thompson, made about a five-hour drive to attend the event.

“There are some good players here,” Thompson said. “I’ve seen quite a few Division I prospects. It’s going to help me get together my list for when it comes time to write them and call them.”

Athletes came from Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky, in addition to Tennessee. One was Tuscaloosa’s Kylie McMurray, who said the trip is worth it if it pays off in a college scholarship.

Pitcher Jennifer Long, who will be a senior at Chattanooga Christian next year, was among the locals who participated. Coaches have restrictions regarding talking with prospects until after July 1, but Long said this remains a chance to be seen.

“This is a really good opportunity to get looks from college coaches,” Long said. “I’ve gotten a few letters. There’s a few coaches in the stands from schools I’m actually looking at. I think it’s good that they can at least get to see me.”

Although the showcase is a big undertaking, Moyer said it’s worth taking a vacation day from his job to help see that many families benefit by receiving scholarship money. So far every girl who has worn a Fury uniform and is college-eligible has signed a scholarship. That’s how he got some of his instructors.

“A lot of kids come back,” Moyer said. “They realize that this is a big circle. You’ve got to keep giving back.”

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