Some athletes are born with speed to burn.
Greenbrier West senior Maddie Fields is one of those players.
Fields ability to cover ground and move around the bases like a burst of lightning has now punched her ticket to the next level.
Friday afternoon, inside the Greenbrier West Auditorium, Fields signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball next year at Potomac State University.
“I feel really good and it is a relief,” Fields said. “I am glad I figured out what I wanted to do and got it out of the way early. I plan on going to Potomac State and play two years. Then I will see what offers come my way.”
Former Greenbrier West head coach Tony Hinkle talked about the athletic ability of the future Catamount.
“Her speed is just unreal,” Hinkle said. “She played a lot of infield, but we put her in the outfield. We have some fast girls out there and it is unreal what they can track down.”
“Her arm is so good making the throws from the outfield and her bat, when she gets into it, it is really going,” Hinkle went on to say. “You can lay down a bunt with her and you can steal a base anytime that you want. She is an athlete, there is no doubt. They are lucky to get her with her speed.”
Fields admitted that the move to outfield took a little time.
“My speed is one of the main reasons I was put in the outfield, but I have grown to love it,” Fields said. “That is where I will be playing in college.”
The senior standout has been a nightmare for opposing defenses who seem to always be a step behind the speedy Fields.
“It seems like in six or seven steps that she is at second base. In high school if she hits a single, it a double. It doesn’t look like she even has to put effort into it,” Hinkle said. “Her speed and arm strength will carry her, but she knows the game. Her dad has worked with her growing up and she has had good coaching all her life.”
While Potomac State is not exactly in close proximity to Charmco, the small town of Keyser was a key component for the future nurse.
“It is a tiny little town, but it is similar to living here. Once I met the girls, I kind of knew it was the right place and I liked the coaching staff,” Fields said. “We took our travel team up there and played against them. Then I had my tour and I practiced with the team.”
With her college decision now in hand, Fields is hoping to cap her senior season in grand fashion.
“I am hoping everybody comes in thinking that we are going to go back to states again,” Fields said. “That is what all of the seniors have in mind.”
