The game may be called slowpitch softball, but the pitch is the only thing slow about the sport.
“It’s really fast-paced in slowpitch,” Union’s Ashley Griffith said. “Everything is fast. You’re never just sitting there not doing something. Especially in the position I play – shortstop – you’re never not doing something out there.”
The senior played a big role in Union winning the 4A Greater St. Helens League title and advancing to the 4A state tournament. Griffith was the 4A GSHL player of the year, making her the selection for The Columbian’s All-Region player of the year.
“It was a lot of fun this season,” Griffith said. “Last season, we ended up playing the snow a little bit. But this fall, it was a lot better, not just because of the weather but also in terms of not having to wear masks. We could breathe when out running in the field, which I know a lot of girls had trouble with that (last winter). So it was nice to see them being able to relax more and just have fun again.”
Griffith plays fastpitch softball year-round, and the includes in the fall when she plays fastpitch for The Bandits, an Oregon-based fastpitch team, and slowpitch for Union. And balancing the two proved to be a challenge for Griffith.
“Unfortunately, slowpitch and fastpitch, they don’t think to differ the schedules, and it’s kind of ridiculous actually, because I lot of girls who play slowpitch also play fastpitch,” she said.
This fall was Griffith’s third season playing slowpitch at Union.
“It was my friends who basically got me to come out my sophomore year,” she said. “All of them said ‘Do it.’ So I said ‘OK, I’ll try it.” And I ended up sticking with it.”
Griffith said the wide mix of players’ experience is one of the things she likes about slowpitch.
“There are a lot of fastpitch players, but there are also a lot of girls who had never even touched a ball before,” Griffith said. “So teaching them how to play is a really great experience.”
And Union was fortunate to have a new turf field to play, unlike Griffith’s last fall season when she was a sophomore.
“Sophomore year, we were playing on rocks,” she said. “This is really nice. I feel a lot more safe diving for balls and trying to make huge catches, because I know it’s not going to hurt like it would if I landed on a rock.”
Griffith likes to play with intensity and scoffs at people who think slowpitch softball is not a real sport.
“I would tell them before you say anything, go play it,” she said. “Stand at shortstop and tell me how you feel. Because when the ball is coming at you at 70 miles per hour, you won’t be saying that.”
REST OF ALL-REGION SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL TEAM
Kamryn Buck, Union
The senior outfielder hit .560 with 16 RBIs for the 4A GSHL champion Titans.
Gracie Byrnes, R.A. Long
The senior slugger was the 3A/2A Greater St. Helens League most valuable player.
Hope Childers, R.A. Long
Senior shortstop was a league MVP last spring and helped R.A. Long return to state.
Natalie Collins, Washougal
The senior team captain for the Panthers played second base and was Washougal’s RBI leader and 3A/2A GSHL all-leaguer.
Lexi Grumbois, Kelso
The junior outfielder hits four homers with 39 RBI and batted .657 for the 3A/2A GSHL champions.
Kylie Lester, Skyview
The junior infielder made an impact in her first year playing slowpitch, batting .521 from the top of the Storm lineup.
Haylee Newton, Battle Ground
Senior team captain played an errorless first base and batted .633 for the Tigers.
Maggie Tumelty, Union
Injury kept the junior from playing the infield, but her bat was valuable with five homers, 38 RBI and .644 average.
Gabriela Ventura, Columbia River
Junior had a .973 fielding percentage and helped turn six double plays while hitting .581 from the Rapids’ leadoff spot.
McKenna West, Battle Ground
Junior had a .967 fielding percentage at third base and batted .500 as the Tigers advanced to 4A state.
Madyson Wood, Kelso
Junior outfielder, drove in 43 runs and batted. .675 for the 3A/2A state runner-up.
