BRINGING THE HEAT MCPHERSON A TRUE ORIGINAL WHO TRULY DOMINATES TEAMS.Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - Jordan McPherson has given up the pink hair, but not the attitude. A Royal High of Simi Valley senior softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' standout who takes her cues from no one, McPherson eventually capitulated to school administrators' demands regarding the selection of a more conventional hair color. But McPherson, one of the region's most dominant pitchers who has signed with Nevada-Reno, is just as intimidating in·tim·i·date tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates 1. To make timid; fill with fear. 2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats. and animated as ever. ``Pink hair, green hair, it doesn't really matter, I'm still me,'' she said, ``but when you represent your school, there are sacrifices you have to make.'' A power pitcher In baseball, a power pitcher is a pitcher who relies on the velocity of his pitches, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. Power pitchers usually record a high number of strikeouts and statistics such as strikeouts per 9 innings pitched are common measures of power. with a devastatingly effective drop ball who consistently throws in the 65 to 67 mph range, McPherson's ability and personality have made her one of Ventura County's most talked about softball players in years. Unafraid to express her spirited personality while she's on the mound, McPherson is even less concerned about how others take it. ``I kind of really don't care
"Don't Care" is a 1994 (see 1994 in music) single by American death metal band Obituary. what other people say,'' she said. That attitude has served her well. When McPherson was nine, one of her first little league coaches told her that she should give up pitching because she didn't have the ability. ``I really didn't care because I liked it,'' she said. ``Some people might have had their feelings hurt, but it's really hard to hurt my feelings.'' The Royal softball program is glad she stuck with it. As a sophomore, she went 10-1 with a 0.09 ERA, helping lead the team to a share of its first league title since 1979. Last season, she was 8-2 with a 0.23 ERA. In 61 1/3 innings INNINGS, estates. Lands gained from the sea by draining. Cunn. L. Dict. h. t.; Law of Sewers, 31. , she struck out 58 batters and allowed just 28 hits (only two of which went for extra bases) and six walks. McPherson has allowed just one homer run in her Royal career in the second league game of her freshman year, to former Agoura standout Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith (born December 16, 1969 in Rathcoole, County Dublin), now more commonly referred to by her married name, Michelle de Bruin, is an Irish former swimmer. . According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Royal sophomore catcher Caralea Burk, McPherson's spirited personality adds to her game. ``I think it's kind of intimidating when someone can go out there and be themselves and be exactly who they are,'' Burk said. And teammates have rallied around their team leader, whom Burk said is ``like no other.'' ``We all look up to her, she's like a total idol to us,'' Burk said. ``She brings us all together.'' McPherson said there's nothing quite like the rush she gets while pumping her fist emphatically em·phat·ic adj. 1. Expressed or performed with emphasis: responded with an emphatic "no." 2. Forceful and definite in expression or action. 3. after striking out an opposing hitter in a key situation. But as much as she loves her craft, she doesn't love perfecting it. ``If you really have to practice a lot, then maybe you really don't have a skill, that's kind of how I think of it,'' she said. ``If I had to work really, really hard at it, I honestly don't think I'd do it.'' Her public persona notwithstanding, there is another side to McPherson. A gifted math student, McPherson works in the principle's office as a teacher's assistant, and tutors other students in math. She also works as a nanny most weeknights, and at a restaurant on weekends. However, others choose to perceive Jordan, Royal coach Bill Dishon said her toughness and intensity stand out most to him. ``There are kids that come out and they play ball, and there are kids that you call 'players' and Jordan is a 'player,' '' he said. Burk said: ``She's just who she is. She can go out there with pink hair and all and she just plays the best she can.'' Gideon Rubin, (818) 713-3607 gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Royal High's Jordan McPherson is one of the most feared pitchers in the Marmonte League The Marmonte League is a high school sports league primarily made up of schools from Ventura County. The Marmonte Leauge is part of the CIF Southern Section. Click here to view the league schedule. . Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion