Making their pitch

Jeff Tully

Mike Delaney has seen his share of talented pitchers during his

tenure as a youth softball coach.

With more than 20 years experience helping develop players from

the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services Department,

Delaney has also worked at the high-school level, serving as an

assistant coach on the 2003 Village Christian softball team that

captured a CIF Southern Section Division V championship.

Suffice to say, Delaney knows a quality pitcher when he sees one

-- or two, for that matter.

Recently, the coach has been able to witness the talents of two

outstanding players, and the pair has been right under his nose for

some time.

Delaney is the coach of the Burbank-based California Crushers, a

14-and-under travel team. Starring in the circle for the team are

hurlers Jenna Martin, 13, and Megan Merz, 13, both of whom have

garnered high praise from Delaney.

“As far as pitchers go, Jenna and Megan are progressing faster

than any other pitchers I have coached at their level,” he said.

“Both have been able to improve as pitchers, and they keep getting

better as they get older.”

As much as the players are the same in regards to their success on

the diamond, the two are very different when it comes to almost

everything.

Martin -- who has blond hair and blue eyes -- is a fireballing

right-hander who likes to overpower batters. She is extremely

confident, and doesn’t let much rattle her when she’s in the circle.

In contrast, the left-handed Merz -- who has dark hair and brown

eyes -- is more of a finesse pitcher, who is good at hitting her

spots. However, she sometimes laments a bit too much about her

pitches.

“Both Megan and Jenna have both been able to be successful in

their own way,” Delaney said. “They both bring a lot to our team, and

they know how to win.

“The great thing about Megan is her competitiveness. She wants to

win every game she pitches, and she knows how to pick her spots and

hit the corners.

“For Jenna, she is just pure power. We have clocked her pitches in

the mid-50 [mile-per-hour range]. She likes to challenge batters, and

she is very aggressive when she pitches.”

One Crusher player who gets a chance to see the pitchers’

differences close up is catcher Katie Budrick.

Budrick, 13 -- whose sister, Sara, is an all-league standout

pitcher at Burroughs High -- said because Martin and Merz have

different styles, they have to be handled differently.

“[Megan] is really comfortable having me catch her, instead of

another person,” Budrick said. “But Jenna doesn’t care who catches

her.

“Megan tends to stress out sometimes when she pitches. So I try

and pump her back up as much as possible. But Jenna doesn’t get down

too much, she is always pretty confident out there.”

With Budrick behind the plate, Martin and Merz have been able to

thrive. Delaney said Budrick does a fine job handling the two

hurlers.

“Katie really calls a good game,” Delaney said. “She is also very

good at settling down the pitchers when they have their problems.

“What really helps us coaches is that Katie is very good at

relaying to us what is working, and what’s not working, with the

pitchers.”

*

Being successful together is nothing new for Martin and Merz. In

fact, the two have known one another most of their young lives.

“We started playing together when we were in first grade, but we

have known each other since preschool,” Martin said.

That long association has led to a lasting friendship, as the two

players know a great deal about one another.

“We know each other like the back of our hands,” Merz said.

Their camaraderie has paid dividends for just about every team

Martin and Merz have played for over the years.

This past season, the duo teamed up for remarkable performances in

the Burbank Park and Rec Ponytail Softball League.

In eight league games, Martin and Merz didn’t allow an earned run,

and they gave up just seven runs the entire season. They also had a

strikeout-walk ratio of almost three-to-one.

The two were able to put up great numbers despite being limited to

throwing six fastballs a game.

Martin and Merz have joined with players from various teams to

form their travel squad. The team has already earned a berth into the

United States Specialty Sports Assn. World Series next year in

Kentucky.

Along with hoping for success with their travel team, Martin and

Merz have high aspirations for their future in softball.

“I would love to eventually make it to an Arizona college, either

that or play for [University of] Hawaii,” Martin said. “That is just

one of the goals that I have.”

Said Merz: “I want to go to a good college, but I also want to be

noticed for the Olympics, and be able to play for the U.S. I know

that is a high goal, but I’m hoping I can do that some day.”

Budrick has her own goal for her future, as well.

“I really want to be able to catch my sister in high school for

her last year [at Burroughs],” she said. “Hopefully when I’m in high

school, I hope I can make varsity my first year.

“I just want to play softball and get a good education.”

With some tournaments on tap the next few months, Martin and Merz

look to continue their success -- and their friendship -- on the

diamond.

And Delaney will enjoy watching every moment.