Shipley’s Maddy Todd is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (May 1-7)

The senior pitcher/first baseman, a first team All-Main Line and All-Friends Schools League softball selection last spring, has continued her dominance on the mound and at the plate this spring. In her first 38 innings pitched this spring, she allowed only four earned runs and 19 hits, while striking out 62 batters, and in her first 23 at bats was batting .739 with six doubles and 16 RBIs. Last spring she posted a 7-1 record and 0.29 ERA on the mound, striking out 78 batters in 48 innings, and batted .491 with 17 runs scored, 23 RBIs, seven extra base hits and six walks. Off the field at Shipley, Todd participates in in Service Club, Women’s Advocate Club and Jewish Club.

 

Q: What pitches have been particularly working for you this spring?

 

A: My rise ball and changeup were what made those strikeouts happen. The off speed helped throw the batters off. Keeping my rise ball the same speed as my fastball was really valuable for those strikeouts.

 

Q: As a pitcher, after facing a hitter a couple of times in a game, you probably have a better idea of what to throw her late in a game. Can you give us an example of how this has worked in your favor?

 

A: As the game progresses, I find it easier to know what to throw to each batter. An example of this happened in the game against Baldwin this year. I noticed the batter wasn’t able to hit inside so I kept throwing inside. This caused her to pop up and create an out for the team. I am always strategizing the batters habits in order to create outs for the team.

 

Q: What do you think has been the most important thing you’ve learned recently regarding hitting?

 

A: This year I have worked on staying strong in my legs throughout my swing. This has definitely helped me with having more power towards the ball. This has also allowed me to focus more on my bat path instead of bat speed.

 

Q: What aspect of your game did you work on most during the off-season?

 

A: I have worked on my spins throughout the entire winter off-season. Working on my spins during the off-season months is important for my execution come game day. Keeping up with spins is a big part of staying successful in a game. Anyone can time up speed after a certain amount of time; spin is what keeps the batter on their toes and guessing when in the batter’s box.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your start in softball – what sparked your original interest in competitive softball?

 

A: I started playing T-ball at the age of 5. Ever since then I have been playing softball. In 6th grade I started competitive softball while continuing to play in the league in my town. I wanted to start competing because I wanted to be the best and compete against the best. Competitive softball has not just taught me about softball, it has also taught me so many life skills.

 

Q: What is your favorite ballpark and why?

 

A: Citizens Bank Park because this is where I’ve grown up. Going to games has always been fun for me — the energy in the stadium is like nowhere else. Philly fans are truly the best (and arguably the worst) fans.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

 

A: My pre-game preparation consists of listening to Spin Bout U by Drake and many other rappers songs. Rap on game day is an absolute necessity. It gets me into my game headspace.

 

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Shipley? What do you think you might like to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?

 

A: My favorite academic course at Shipley is Studio Art 3 Honors. I really love doing any kind of art, especially fashion and interior design. I am intending on having my major as Interior Design in college. I would really love to be able to run my own interior design firm and do projects all over the country.

 

Fun facts – Maddy Todd

Favorite TV show: Gilmore Girls.

Favorite movie: Mama Mia.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Spin Bout u Drake.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: New York.

Favorite pre-game meal: Strawberries.

Family members: parents Michael and Michele, brother Michael.

 

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)