RallyNorth.net

Yu catching onto new position

Friday, April, 11 By David Willis
Staff writer

Andover's Nina Yu has found herself hobbled recently.

"I've been having a lot of problems with my knees," said the senior. "I've been in physical therapy to strengthen my quads. I've worked through it and now it's mainly just discomfort."

Thus is the curse of her chosen position. After spending last season as an outfielder, the decision was made that Yu would move to catcher this season, replacing varsity stalwart Becky Cairns.

"She's been very good so far," said Golden Warriors coach Stephanie Ragucci. "A good catcher is just as important as a good pitcher. If you have a good pitcher, but the catcher can't handle the ball, then you are going to have a lot of passed balls."

While this is her first year catching at the varsity level, the position is not entirely new to Yu. She caught as a youngster and at the JV level. In preparation for this season, she also switched between outfield and catcher with her summer league team, the Mass. Destruction. But it is a new game at the varsity level.

"It gets really exhausting, depending on the pitcher," she said. "My biggest challenge is the throw-down (to second base). I am working on strengthening my arm and my throws."

She also has the added pressure of knowing the opponents so she can choose what her pitcher should throw.

"Our coach doesn't call games," Yu said. "The catcher does. I have to remember what the batter did in her last at-bat or in the last game. And I have to know every situation. It's a lot of responsibility."

But despite the new challenge and the physical side-effects, the senior co-captain is excited about the new opportunity.

"The outfield got kind of boring," said Yu. "I love catching and I love being involved in every play. Outfield was a nice break, but once I started catching again I really missed it."

The speedster is also the Golden Warriors' leadoff hitter, and was a member of the field hockey team. She is also a standout student, as a member of the National Honor Society.

"She's the kind of player every coach wants on their team," said Ragucci. "She does the little things, never complains and really leads her team."