April 2, 2008

by Jeff Smith
Contributor, BigTen.org

Purdue head softball coach Kim Maher and senior Ashley Hall both agree that the latter is at her best when she is quick on her feet. Whether it is taking line drives from the "hot corner" at third base or using her instincts on offense at the plate and stealing bases, Hall believes that thinking will only slow you down.

Hall has used that theory throughout her Boilermaker career to her advantage. Having entered this season already ranked in the top five in three of the school's career statistical categories, Hall is focused on finishing out her four years by improving on those numbers. She is currently tied for second all-time in batting average (.341), tied for third in stolen bases (66), and fifth in on-base percentage (.384). Hall is just 11 stolen bases shy from breaking the school record.

When asked if stealing bases in softball is a science, Hall responded by saying it is more about reaction time and instincts.

"You have to be able to read the pitcher and catcher and see when you have that opportunity," she said. "Our coaches work hard with us on reading the ball. When you see the ball going low, you take off. There's no science to it; it's just instinct."

Hall has also improved her game at the plate by adopting the same mentality. Last year she led the Big Ten in conference play with a .473 batting average and has been a consistent hitter throughout her career.

"With me, it's not thinking," she said. "I just relax and have fun. I can't analyze things too much."

Hall also notes that while leading the conference in hitting last year was an accomplishment, it certainly does not reward her with favors at the plate.

"I can't think about what happen last year. It doesn't mean I start off with two balls this year. I have the same count as everyone else."

Since arriving on campus following Hall's freshman season, Maher has tried to turn her senior standout into a triple threat at the plate - one who can lay down a bunt, "slap" hit, and hit with power. Maher says that with Hall's success at the plate last year, pitchers are now throwing to her with a different approach, causing Hall to learn how to hit all types of pitches.

"Over the years it has been more challenging for her, because people know her as a triple threat," Maher said. "She needs to read her defense a little better. If they are far back, she needs to lay down the bunt. If they are up, she needs to use her power."

It is yet again another example of how Hall's instincts and reaction time are byproducts to her success.

It can be said, too, that playing softball in the Hall family is instinct as well. Hall began playing the game when she was five and was lucky enough to play for the same coach from elementary school through high school while growing up in Noblesville, Ind. Her parents both played the game as did both of her sisters, the eldest one going on to break almost every pitching record at Anderson University.

When it came time to choose a college, Hall was actually forced to sit down and think out her options. It was a decision that could not be made in an instant and certainly there were many factors involved. Three schools stayed on Hall's radar throughout the process. She was entertaining offers from Notre Dame, Illinois and Purdue, although Notre Dame was the first to drop out of the mix.

Hall says she was sold on Purdue when she went to a Boilermaker football game during her visit and fell in love with the atmosphere and the energy surrounding Ross-Ade Stadium. Throughout the entire process of being pulled in different directions, trying to figure out which coaches you can trust, and dealing with the headaches that come with it, Hall in the end went with instincts.

"I wasn't quite sure which way to turn," she said. "But you have to be comfortable and go with your gut feeling and that is what I did."

In her first season with the Boilermakers, Hall was moved all around the field in 38 games, playing in right field, left field, at second and as the designated player. When Maher was hired prior to the 2006 campaign, she says that with Hall's speed one would think the outfield would be most suitable for her, but the team's immediate need was in the infield.

"When you come in here as a new coach, you don't know what the players are capable of," Maher said. "For us at the time, we needed infielders. We stuck her at second a few times, but looking at her as an athlete, she's at her best when she reacts to the ball. It made sense to stick her in the hot corner at third."

Maher also studied Hall's hitting habits during practice as a sophomore and noticed that she swung away too much. Having just been a six-year assistant at California, Maher felt Hall would benefit greater from adapting to a short game and using her speed. As often seen in softball on the West Coast, speedsters are more known to lay down bunts or slap hits to the opposite field to get on base.

As Hall evolved as that triple threat, so did her batting average and playing time.

She started 32 of 34 games in 2006 and posted 10 multi-hit games en route to a .330 batting average. She ranked third in the Big Ten with 20 stolen bases and twice set the school record with three in one game.

Hall finished last year as a frequent guest on the school's single-season charts, placing first in hits (85) and stolen bases (36), second in at-bats (222), and third in batting average (.387), triples (5) and run scored (48).

Hall, who Maher repeatedly refers to as an aggressive competitor, has also helped changed the mindset of the Boilermaker softball program. Earlier this year the team defeated No. 7 Baylor, which marked the first time Purdue had beaten a top-10 program since 1999.

When asked about the reaction to the win, Hall described the contrast in the team's mindset over just one year's time.

"It was huge for us," she said. "The mindset in the past was 'We aren't supposed to win this game,' but this year, it's 'Why can't we win this game?' We played that way and it turned out in our favor."

Perhaps the Boilermakers are believing more in themselves this season, knowing that any game is winnable regardless of the opponent. Perhaps they are following Hall's theory and just not thinking about it too much.

As for her future after Purdue softball, surprisingly Hall is also trying not to analyze things right now. Her instincts tell her that she will remain close to the stick-and-ball sports, possibly playing professionally if that opportunity arises or looking into coaching. She's also interested in working with minor or major league baseball.

Regardless of where she ends up, there is no doubt that she will hit the ground running when she gets there and let her instincts guide her along the way.

Because that's what she does.

And that's all she knows.