April 6, 2001
Erin Newcomb (Seattle, Washington)
Question: Hey Coach Rittman, can you tell me how your assistant Sara Pickering is doing in her battle with Hodgkins Disease? Thanks!
Sara has completed her stem cell transplant (or "rescue") and is doing quite well. She was able to come out to the games last weekend against the University of Washington. She is in her own apartment across from the hospital where she is in "confinement", so to speak, until about the middle of May. We will pass along your concern for her and give her your best!
Christine McGrew (Santa Monica, California)
Question: I am in the 10th grade at Crossroads School in Santa Monica. I am on the varsity softball team there and am a pitcher. I was interested in attending Stanford (even though it is a long ways away). I was wondering if you could give me any tips on practicing or preparing to apply to Division 1 softball oriented schools?
P.S. - How many miles per hour does Dana Sorensen throw?
First and foremost you need to keep your grades up. Academics are our first priority at Stanford as well as most division 1 schools. Secondly, you need to play competitive softball outside of your high school softball. That will increase your chances of being recruited. And most importantly, keep a good attitude about the game and continue to work hard.
How fast does Dana throw? It depends on who's clocking her and which radar gun she's bring clocked on. Dana's hardest pitch that she throws is between 65-67 mph when she's on her "A" game.
Go Stanford!
Question: What would you consider your most memorable moment as a Cardinal thus far?
I've had a lot of memorable moments in the past four and a half years. I think the most memorable at this point in time was our first postseason berth in my second year at Stanford because it was something that had never been achieved here before and it was really a special time in the history of the program. To see and feel the energy that came from our team and all the work that went into getting that postseason berth was special. Every year you have special memories but that would be the biggest one to date.
Jaime (San Diego, California)
Question: Do you think that there is a better college pitcher or player, better than Dana Sorensen?
Well, I don't like to rank or compare players with other players. I think there's a lot of really great players playing collegiate softball. Right now we don't really have a professional league - players don't go in the draft and leave early or play right out of high school. So the best players in the game are going to college and competing which is really good for our game. I think Dana can definitely hold her own with anybody and is definitely one of the best pitchers in college softball.
James (Menlo Park, California)
Question: Coach - Did you play baseball in college? If so, did you have a chance at a pro career?
Yes I did play baseball in college. Unfortunately I wasn't good enough to be drafted but I did continue playing baseball in Mexico for two years. I had a very enjoyable experience playing in Mexico. I got to see a lot of the country and culture and enjoyed playing the game.
Bob Kinder (Sunnyvale, California)
Question: When will you get lights like the baseball stadium?
Right now we are in the planning stages for having lights at the softball stadium next year. We are looking forward to the completion of the softball stadium this year and lights are definitely on the agenda. We are trying to raise money for them as we speak.