Putting Pride In Her Work
The common saying when comparing two different things are apples and oranges.
As a high school catcher, Karsyn Davis caught a lot of apples.
For three days this past weekend at Rent One Park in Marion, Davis sat in the bullpen for the USSSA Pride of the National Professional Fast Pitch League and caught some oranges.
But these weren't just any ordinary oranges. These oranges hummed faster, snapped harder and spun tighter into her catchers mit.
It was a weekend that Davis described as being in awe of not only her own experience, but the one that was playing out before her.
"I definitely was in awe. I had just watched some of those girls on TV last week in the College World Series. I was walking out of the dug out to catch Taran Alvelo who just graduated from Washington and coach (Gerry) Glasco stopped me and said "You know they just clocked her at 74 (miles per hour) last week in the World Series right?" It was definitely so amazing to catch girls like her and Paige Parker who was a two time World Series MVP at Oklahoma because I grew up watching them on TV. They're the best of the best so I was definitely nervous as well. But they were all very nice and taught me so much about college and softball in general. It was a dream come true getting to know them and bonding with them the last few days
The biggest take away was seeing and adjusting to pitching at the next level," Davis said. "Those girls throw so hard and have some of the best spins in the world unlike anything I've ever caught before. So already getting to see that and adjust to that style of pitching will really benefit me when I go to college this fall."
Davis will be continuing her college career at nearby Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.
The opportunity this past weekend was made possible by Glasco, a Johnston City native, who reached out to Davis who needed someone in the bullpen. It's an opportunity that wasn't lost on Davis.
"It's a lot more different than high school, that's for sure," Davis said. "These girls have trained every day for their whole lives and have succeeded at the highest possible level. Their balls spin two times faster than any pitcher I've ever caught before and the break of their curveballs and rise balls are probably 4 inches farther than anything I've ever seen. The movement and speed is insane so adjusting to not only catching the pitch but having to predict where it was going and getting around it and framing it was very difficult. It will look like it's coming right at you and then the last minute it takes a dive in the opposite direction.
"This past weekend meant a lot to me though. It was an awesome opportunity to get to know the girls and to watch their spins and get a feel for their speed. They're the best in the world, so I know it will help more tremendously as the next level."
Davis will be playing for the Illinois Force, who start their season this weekend in Nashville, Tennessee.
Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.