Hi Michele,

I just graduated from the University of Mary Washington.  I pitched there for four years and had a great career.  Softball is such a huge part of my life – it’s definitely a passion that will last forever and I’ll always have such great memories from it (I won’t be giving it up for a while!)   

I’m getting my Master’s in Elementary Education and one of our assignments is to write a multigenre research project on a topic of our choice.  I am interested in sports psychology and am writing about the pitching aspect, since it is obviously such a huge part.  The goal of the project is to incorporate as many different sources as possible, and take it beyond looking information up in books (interviews, videos, going to festivals, etc).  I was wondering if you could share some of your experiences with being mentally tough. 

·         What do you think about when things don’t go your way as well as when you’re at the top of your game?

o   What was your best mental game?

o   What was your worst? (what do you think went wrong?)

o   What was the difference between those outings?

·         Do you do anything to prepare yourself before the game?

·         Have you worked with a sports psychologist?

·         Are there key phrases you tell yourself?

·         Do you think your mental game gives you an edge when you are physically exhausted?

·         Do certain superstitious affect your mental focus?

·         How do you stay focused with so much riding on you in the Olympics?

o   Did you become more mentally tough once you joined Team USA?

·         I’ve heard that when coaches come out to speak to a struggling pitcher, the next pitch is usually a strike. Do you agree with this statement? Why do you think that is?

I’m sorry to bombard you with so many questions…these are just some ideas I was thinking of for the project.  Whatever you would like to share would be so appreciated. Those are just some ideas I was interested in exploring.  I would love the inside perspective of someone who has made it so far in this sport.  Thank you so much for taking the time to help me!

Sincerely,

Kirsten Rowell