Interesting Softball Fact in the PD -- Gilman's Four Aces

[HPT_transplant]

This I pulled from the final post on the Dailypress Blogs:

Rita Lynn Gilman must be really proud of her junior pitchers: Gloucester`s Stephanie Coates; Warwick`s Tra Byrd and Sarah Atkins; Kecoughtan`s Katie Alexander. Rita Lynn Gilman is a premier pitching instructor and has been working with these four young ladies since they were 9 and 10 years old. Their hard work and dedication to their postion has paid off. Great job ladies. Don`t think that you can just walk out on the mound and expect to accomplish what these pitchers have in the last four years of their high school career. I think it must be toughest though for Bryd and Atkins from Warwick because they share their pitching time and probably will not put up the stats that Coates or Alexander might. Thumbs up to you two ladies. Anyone of you two [actually four] could pitch and I`m sure would love to pitch every game. Hope to hear a lot of good things in the future. Maybe the DP should do a article on the four of you with Rita Lynn. I`m sure she would be up to it.

Doesn't Gilman coach the powerhouse 65+ mph girl from the other side of the water as well? Forgive me her name eludes me.

Lynn Burke please read and forward!
"Gilman's Smokin' Aces"

[softball mom]

Interesting fact---Katie Bruce of Lafayette has taken from Ritalyn Gilman since she was twelve. Ritalyn is a great teacher. By the way, lots of BDR pitchers have taken from her.

[softball mom]

Ritalyn has a 60+ mile per hour board on her wall where she teachs. Katie Bruce is on that wall.

[Lynn Burke]

This I pulled from the final post on the Dailypress Blogs:
Maybe the DP should do a article on the four of you with Rita Lynn. I`m sure she would be up to it.

Doesn't Gilman coach the powerhouse 65+ mph girl from the other side of the water as well? Forgive me her name eludes me.

Lynn Burke please read and forward!
"Gilman's Smokin' Aces"

One of our reporters is interested in doing the story.

[sportsfan1]

The southside has many talented pitchers as does the BRD. There aren't just 3 or 4. Everyone is good and most of them have all had some lessons from Rita Lynn or some other pitching instructors as there are quite a few really good pitching instructors that work with these girls. Yes, I agree that when you share pitching time your not gonna put up the numbers but if DP does a story they should be sure and cover everyone. Of course, it will be hard because there are a ton of good pitchers on both sides of the river and some that don't get as much time and well its just hurting the team but maybe eventually they will figure it out after they post enough losses and decide to switch things up.

[BayRivahGirl]

Just what we want to read -- another story on the a PD pitchers ...Go Figure...............Just what we need......

[BayRivahGirl]

Why don't you do a story on the out-fielders or catchers on either side (PD or BDR). You know its more to the game than the pitchers.. Your defense has to me there for that pitcher. :confused: Right?

[HPT_transplant]

The original post wasn't meant to say that the PD was the only district with highly trained or coached pitchers. Gilman obviously has a vast amount of knowledge which is apparent from the impact she's had on the calibur of pitching seen each time her girls step out on the field. Quit acting like a scorned step child who's jealous of their biological sister and just be happy that softball is getting the press it deserves. It's a great sport with great players (in every district). All I was saying was isn't it neat that the four, arguably, best pitchers in the PD all learned from the same coach. Geez people are touchy on these boards.

[BayRivahGirl]

YOU are taking this ALL wrong. What I am saying is IF you think thise 4 pitchers are all the PD area has YOU ARE wrong. AN out-fielder has alot riding on them when your pitchers has an off day, a catcher can either make or break a pitcher - depending on the ability of a catcher on a good or bad day.
The 4 pitchers are not what makes that district. In BRD we all work as a team and enjoy reading in DP about ALL out players not just a select few. And as far as the 4 in question - mark my word - they will never see a mound on college level and if we do - than it will not be for long. Also Ritalynn does have a wall - and you do get reconized at 65 - but I have yet seen a PD pitcher hit that mark in a game. Best of Luck to you and the PD pitchers - But most of all I hope the other players that are NOT pitchers get a piece of the glory in the PD area. If that is all you have there than I guess you are satisfied.
BRD is still awesome on every level of the game - pitchers - catchers - and in-fielders and out-fielders,,, all of them....

[HPT_transplant]

I sit here wondering why the conversation continues. If the BRD is as good as you say then just let it be. In my years of experience with the DP they cover the first half of the season in the PD and then move to the second half of the season in the BRD so just hang in there. Your much wanted/needed press time is on its way. Come tournament time they are both equally covered. I don't have anything against the BRD either. Excuse me, maybe I am stupid for believing that the best nine girls from the PD could "hang with" the best nine from the BRD. Isn't that what a sports fan does is believe?

Now remove yourself from the BRD. I know it must be hard because obviously you are very proud. Try to imagine growing up playing softball at Deer Park, Phoebus, and Northhampton little league where the softball program they had was, for the most part, a joke. Do they all still even have a program? Most of the good players refuse to waste their time playing for little league anymore. I never said that the four I posted on originally were the only players in the district. I said "wouldn't it make a good story" and look at Lynn Brookes response, it would. I never said they were the only players deserving of an article because I know that there are a lot of girls in the PD that are great ball players ... pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders included. That isn't to say that there isn't a good story in the BRD either. Like I said, they are coming.

You are wrong that the four of them will not play college ball and see time in the circle. I know this because I've seen players no where near their level come out of both districts and see time in college. They will make that decision. Not you. Not me. Until then I don't see the point of knocking them down because I never did that with Mills, Byrdy, Bruce etc. That is definitely making it personal. I did question if Byrdy of Poquoson was healthy because I know that that has been an issue for her. That is more of a concern than anything else because It would be sad if she were injured. I've seen her play and she has an awesome awareness for the game with a killer defense behind her. I believe Atkins, Alexander, and Byrdy all played together this past summer.

I DO believe that the BRD is overall more talented than the PD. I don't believe that your best nine are any better the PDs best nine however because they all play together and against each other the remaining parts of the year. How often do you see someone you know in Florida or Colorado or wherever you are for nationals? It happens on both sides.

[BayRivahGirl]

:) It is not about 4 girls vs 9 girls -- Its the teams that face each other. Surely the no hitters and perfect games to some of the PD teams are a joke. Why would anyone say they have or had a no hitter and the score is so run up on the weak teams. A 15-0 or 21-0 score for a perfect game only means a pitcher did not have a good game. What kind of game is that. Surley no one (maybe the losing team) gain something from it. And if anyone reads the box scores you know it was agaist a weak team. I would much rather see a game score of 5-3 or 3-2 than a score such as 15-0. That is when pitching comes into play. And another thing - When you play these weaker teams why don't they put a pitcher in that does not see the mound that often. Than maybe is could be a good game. Kinda equal it out instead of embarssing the weaker teams. I have seen the BRD do this and it works...........
Also I just read Coates had a verbal to UVA.. Well a verbal could be made to a 2 year old. Plus UVA is bringing in a pitcher (big girl) from PA. But I wished her well academically. :)

[HPT_transplant]

Kendra of Salem is the young lady from Salem high school that Ritalyn also coaches. The DP should be sure to include her as well when they interview all her little Proteges (sp?). I am amazed that a single woman can effect such a wide array of outcomes of games all over the region. As we've seen she teaches the four juniors in the PD, "a lot of BRD pitchers", and Kendra from the Southside. It wouldn't surprise me if there are more out there. Hats off to Ritalyn once again. She continues to amaze me. Is Kendra a 65+ or a 70+? I've heard reports of both.

[volleyball8whs]

ha i play outfield and yeah its not all about the pitchers but it does kinda sound like you just want some glory of your own....just because your name isnt mentioned, or even your district for that matter, no need to whine and cry about it. just play softball and be happy for them:p

[HPT_transplant]

I played firstbase I know it's not all about pitching. I just wanted to know how hard Kendra throws.

[volleyball8whs]

what i was saying was in response to the brd girl, since i didnt mention that previouslyyyyyyy

[HPT_transplant]

Oh haha I know she has posted some straight up MEAN things. Maybe she didn't get the love she needed as a child. By the way: my thoughts are with all my fellow Virginians during this crisis at Tech. I hope everyone has heard from their friends and family and that they are safe and sound. Sadly I know some of you won't. My heart goes out to you most of all.