Fresno State Athletics
Stepping in Big Spikes
3/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 21, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - Not many would volunteer to be on the receiving end of a 62 mph-plus pitch from All-American Amanda Scott or lefthander Kristen Hunter. Freshman newcomer and starting catcher Pam West does it on a daily basis and does it with a smile.
Signing with the Bulldogs after a successful high school career in Corona, Calif., West has been given the reigns of Bulldog Diamond, she is the anchor of the infield, the field-general, the voice behind the plate. Titles that not many true-freshmen find themselves with.
Admittedly, West said, jumping into the catching position was a little intimidating, however the experience has been so much more than just getting her feet wet in collegiate play.
"Playing here is a lot of things," West said. "It's learning, becoming better, taking everything to a higher level and getting to know the pitchers from the beginning."
A hurdle that West said the pitching and coaching staff has worked very hard on with the three Bulldog catchers.
"Coach Wright wants to help me make the pitchers better. She tells me things that I've never even thought of before about my throws and knowing the pitchers. She's really patient with me and it's easy to trust what she tells me 100 percent."
The struggles and the steep learning curve West has faced in her first season at Fresno State have not at all deterred her from pursuing her leadership role on this team. Frustration and failure are not in her vocabulary.
"It's not frustrating," West said about her daily challenges. "I just take one batter at a time and I learn from each at bat. With every game I get more experience and more confidence to be a leader on the field."
Only a few months aged on the Bulldog team, West's growing confidence is already showing, as her goals for this 2000 team are as high as those of a four-year veteran. She wants to find herself calling pitches in front of a national championship crowd before this season is out.
"My overall goal for the year is to be catching at the World Series," West said. "More than that though, I just want to do my best for this team. Of course I want to do good personally, but it's more of a team-thing. We are so good and it's only March. We are going to get a lot better and shouldn't be underestimated."
