Beth Ann Hyland Beth Ann Hyland is very much in control with what’s going on in her life, and that includes the way she throws a softball.
The East Brunswick High School senior admits to not owning a blazing fastball like some of her peers in the pitching-rich Greater Middlesex Conference. But when it comes to delivering the ball precisely to where the catcher places her mitt, Hyland shines. That is why she is such a valuable player to EBHS — so valuable, in fact, that Beth Ann was voted the team’s MVP the past two seasons.
Little wonder the Bears have been among the best in the state since Hyland became their starter in 2010. That year she pitched East Brunswick to the Central Jersey Group IVtitle, while last season, although the Bears were upset in the GMC and sectional tournaments, they finished with a 22-3 record.
Hyland’s statistics were outstanding. She pitched 156 innings and posted a 0.94 earned-run average with 204 strikeouts, walked just 31 batters and threw 12 shutouts. Despite those numbers, she refuses to take all the credit for EBHS’s success.
“I’m often asked to talk about how I pitch,” says Hyland. “It’s not a secret. There’s a lot of hard work involved and a great deal of dedication, but I remind myself I’ve been surrounded by people who mean a lot to me. I think about how much they have sacrificed to help me.”
Hyland is talking, of course, about her immediate family and coaches.
“Playing on travel teams, taking pitching lessons and attending clinics cost money and requires getting from place to place,” Hyland said Monday from her cell phone as her mom, Louise, transported her to a clinic in Hartford, Conn. “It’s easy to take these things for granted. I remind myself constantly to thank my family because I know the personal sacrifices they make so I can become better.”
In addition to attending skills development workshops, Hyland pitches for the N.J. Breakers’ Showcase Team coached by Tony Catalano and managed by Joe Salvatore. This summer, she is pitching against some of the top regional high school players in Florida and Northeast tournaments.
“What I most admire about Beth Ann,” says Salvatore, “is she never panics, regardless of the situation. “She has the opportunity to go against some of the best batters in the country with the Breakers and is capable of keeping them off balance with a great screwball and curve. The look on her face never changes, even in the most pressure packed situations.” That is a contrast to Hyland’s quiet demeanor. “People who know me understand I’m a pretty reserved person,” she admits. “I’m that way on the softball diamond as well. I just do my job and don’t comment about how everybody else is performing.”
That may change next spring. While Hyland could afford to let the bounty of East Brunswick seniors be the leaders during her sophomore and junior seasons, they have graduated, and she now finds herself in the spotlight.
“I always cheered my teammates on,” she says, “and I’m working on becoming more vocal this spring because I’m one of the more experienced players.” “BethAnn has a number of strengths as a pitcher,” says Kevin Brady, East Brunswick softball coach, “but the greatest is her heart. As a sophomore, she needed to earn the starting job, and after taking advice from our pitching coach [Vicki Previte], her location and command improved and we started her.”
“Her first game was extremely intense against an undefeated team,” Brady continues, “but she demonstrated all the strengths which make her special — a great screwball and a unique ability to get better as the game moves on.”
Because of her success, Hyland has drawn interest from a number of universities and would like nothing better than to play college softball. Wherever Hyland goes, the school will need to offer a track in elementary special education.
“Softball pretty much occupies my time the whole year,” she says. “There’s pitching lessons, strength and conditioning sessions with a trainer, and travel leagues. However, I always make time for Buddy Ball and Fastbreak Basketball [two programs designed to help children with developmental disabilities]. I’ve volunteered for a couple of years and absolutely love the work. They aremajor reasons why I want to study to become a teacher of children with disabilities.”
BethAnn is the daughter of Jim and Louise (her personal chauffeurs). She also has a sister, Natalie, a 2003 EBHS graduate who was on the track team, and a brother, James, who graduated in June.
Besides her family, Hyland understands her coaches have also played a major role in her development.
“I have had so many great ones,” she says, “including my high school coach, Mr. [Kevin] Brady, my travel team and specialty coaches, and those who have helped with my conditioning. Even though I have much ahead of me, I often reflect on the people who have brought me to this place in my life. I couldn’t be more thankful.”