THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 12, 1995 TAG: 9507120505
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Amy Hooks will get a head start on her college softball career in today's Virginia High School Coaches' Association East-West All-Star Game at Briarfield Park in Hampton.
Hooks, a two-time All-Tidewater Player of the Year best known for her work on the mound, will play the outfield today. That's the position she'll play at East Carolina University, which she will attend beginning this fall.
Hooks, The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's Player of the Year in South Hampton Roads her sophomore and junior seasons at Bayside High School, didn't shine quite as brightly on the mound in her senior year. Her coach, Conrad Parker, noticed that trend and began playing Hooks in the outfield. That helped her earn her partial scholarship to ECU.
Hooks again won All-District and All-Region honors - but as a utility player instead of a pitcher.
Hooks enjoyed the dual role.
``Don't get me wrong,'' she said. ``I like (pitching). Pitchers are always involved in the action, and they can control the game. But I played in the outfield before I started pitching, and I've always liked (the outfield) better.''
As much as her pitching, her hitting and base-stealing made her one of the most respected players in the region.
``ECU recruited her to hit and run and play the outfield,'' Parker said. ``She's got (NCAA Division I) speed and, at that level, speed is what the game is all about.''
Hooks was Parker's leadoff hitter, and the veteran coach always felt that she was one of the best in that role, also.
``She got on base most of the time and when she did, I always felt we had a chance to score,'' he said. ``She stole 60 or 70 bases in her three years. There's no doubt about it, she was one of the best to come through the area.''
Hooks finished her pitching career with a 44-13 record, a majority of the losses coming in postseason play.
Unfortunately, the hitting caught up with her speed and ball movement her final season.
``Softball has gotten better all around,'' said the soft-spoken Hooks, who plans to study elementary education so she can teach first-graders.
``The hitting's gotten better, and there are some 12-under players pitching as fast as I do now.
``I'm happy making the change. It's where I'm best, I think.''
The boys soccer All-Star Game is tonight at 7 at Darling Stadium. The baseball All-Star Game is also tonight at 7 at War Memorial Stadium. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
GARY C. KNAPP
When the hitters caught up with Amy Hooks, she joined their ranks -
and earned a college scholarship.
by CNB