Dad's Notes on the Jennie Finch Camp

I suppose I could be cynical and tell you that the Jennie Finch softball camp was nothing but a fan fest and money vacuum designed to get scholarship targetting parents to drop some coin to get some superficial instruction that will make their child a star or at least put a dent in that college tuition.

I could see that with the T-shirt sales, the equipment sales and the Finch Windmill contraption (~$350) which will add 5 mph to your daughter's sales pitch.  I mean I know that a lot of parents put some serious bucks down that weekend on this stuff.

I could be chagrined...but I'm not.

Yes, it had all that stuff but, hey, someone's got to make a living and it really didn't feel like it was about money.  It was about celebrating the sport that these girls/women love and rallying around each other to keep improving for next year, next season, the next Olympics.

Attending were over 400 girls from ages 8 to 16 split into 7 schools which rotated through 7 stations for two days.  Each station had an Olympian instructing with the aid of the Sac State players and coaches.  The point is that the Olympians, like Caitlin Lowe, were actually talking and interacting aka coaching these impressionable young ladies.  They weren't just there for the autographs at the end.  They were professional, enthusiastic and each let their own personality shine through.  You weren't supposed to ask for autographs during the instruction, but a number of them obliged anyway.

The parents were allowed to be with their daughters instead of being stuck in the stands, which allowed us to support our kids, take pictures and ask questions in between drills.  In many ways, this was a treat for the parents more than for their kids.  I took copious notes on drills and techniques and got to shake hands and talk with these superstars.  Caitlin was getting some one-on-one hitting instruction with the Ruthian Crystal Bustos which I caught on video.  Priceless.

And not enough can be said about Jennie Finch.  She really took responsibility for the "show."  She may look like a Barbie doll, but she was in charge and ensured that every participant felt valued.  On Saturday, her station was a little bit star treatment for the girls where she stood up and talked about her Olympic experience, passed around her gold and silver medals, talked about how her family and God helped her and gave the girls inspirational advice.  Yeah, you could say it was a bit cheesy, but I think she really understood what the girls wanted.  This was their chance to get to know a superstar and there's more to that than how fast she can throw (although I think that was asked about a dozen times - 71mph).   On Sunday, she went back to being a pitching instructor and again, any girl that had a question about pitching could go right up to her and ask, no problem.  

Anyway, I was totally star-struck of course.  I should mention that the dads there seemed to be more struck with Crystal Bustos than any of others including Ms. Finch.  There must be something about home runs and guys... I got a bunch of cool ideas for drills.  Sara Hack, a Quicksilver star in her own right, said that they confirmed that what she was being taught was correct.  I wish I could say the same for CJ...

This was a very special time for me and Caitlin and I told her we may not do this again only because I don't think it can be topped and it may take away from the lustre of this experience.  

I would say if you have the opportunity to do this once with your child, take it.  I should also acknowledge the work done by the Sacramento Team Organization, the Monarchs that did a terrific job with the organization and presentation.  It all went very smooth.