Chapter 3 - the superstar emerges in a big way

Carly Hansen was the talk of the conference following her freshman breakout year. She had batted .422 with .638 slugging and a stellar .430 OBP. She even played amazing defense at shortstop and topped her mentor Kathy Short's fielding percentage record with a Larry Bowa type .950 mark. On her few outings on the mound she sported a .035 ERA combined between Varsity and JV. The sky was limit for this Swedish-German Amazon.
As soon as high school ball ended it was back on the road with the Elite Grape Crush Travel team.On this stellar hand-picked squad "specialization" ruled the day.Pitchers pitched and that is all! The shortstop on this team did not multi-task like Carly.She was there for her cat-like reflexes.Her Cannon Arm. Her Gold Glove.Track Star Speed.On "The Crush" Carly just Pitched.And pitch she did! All the way to the AAU Travel Championship in Florida! Carly pitched a 2 hit shutout to seal the National Championship! She was Elated and yet in the back of her mind-a trifle bored not playing the field. This would be a vision of the future that she didn't realize at the time.
Unlike Little League the Travel Championship was finished on the Fourth of July.Wow! A whole month off with her parents at Ocean City Maryland! Laying out on the beach getting tan.Showing off her figure in a bikini to boys her age. And something else.Something in her life that had become of increasing importance.FOOD!Carly had taken to her heritage of enjoying good meals and savoring them.And Ocean City was like a Wonderland.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Pizza at Seacrets was Fabulous! The Dough Roller offered the best Pancakes for Breakfast and their Amazing Pizza for lunch. Or was Pizza Tugo an even better pie? She had 26 days to figure out her favorite. And then there was their 3 trips weekly to the Bonfire Buffet-oh my! How stuffed the three of them would be when they waddled out of that place!In between there were numerous trips to Phillips Crab House and the Crabcake Factory-interspersed with choosing the best funnel cakes on the boardwalk and Candy Kitchen treats enjoyed in the beach house on the few rainy days.
After 26 days of pure indulgence and relaxation it was time to return to quiet West Chester to prepare for sophomore year.Carly was a Golden Brown Beauty of 149 lbs and in dire need of some back to school shopping! And she wasn't the only Hansen in need of wardrobe improvements.John had enjoyed his first major vacation from his successful insurance business in 15 years.Some new Dockers and dress shirts were sorely needed.Jenny now sported 230 lbs on her tall frame and had packed on the weight in her hips.So they all set off to the King of Prussia Mall and racked up a huge bill that was easily covered by John's Amex card.
The new school year brought the same recruitment for Carly from the Volleyball coach as well as Field Hockey.But the Cross Country Coach was conspicuously absent-she must have been the type to give up too easily.Carly and John jumped right back into their weight-training and a new activity started for mother and daughter at night.Baking. Jenny taught Carly how to make Cakes.Pies. And Cupcakes! After dinner at seven they would start baking and all three would enjoy some sweets around 9:00 while watching television programs.Such was the "Sweet Life" of the Hansens.
Through the fall and winter John and Carly concentrated on The Power Moves in their weight training.Squats.Bench Press. Deadlifts. Power Cleans. Carly took to it like an Olympian.By February she was Squatting 150 lbs for 10 reps.Benching 100 for a 8 rep set.She was Strong!And when they returned from the gym-she was Ravenous!She ate just as much as her extra-large parents.

When March 1st rolled around she stood 5'10" tall-her ultimate height as it would turn out.And she sported big toned arms and a large butt and hips.Big Breasts too like Jenny.Her 27" thighs were forged from iron.The only parts of her that weren't solid muscle were a small set of love handles and a slightly protruding belly.But at 165 lbs one had to have have a little bit of extra padding after all.

The coach once again smiled inside.As a veteran of 15 seasons he had seen it all.Players getting soft and out of shape.Players going on a fitness regimen and finally getting INTO shape.So he of course had a plan of action for his roster.Carly would pitch all of her allowable innings every week.When those innings were exhausted she would trade places with the first baseman JV call-up and legacy player Joanne Short-Kathy's younger sister.
Carly was a little bit taken back at losing the shortstop position. But Coach explained quite well. "Carly .You are now our Ace.And you have grown quite tall-perfect for a first baseman when you don't pitch.And first base is a power position. You have been launching 10+ balls over the fence in practice every single day! This is going to be your ticket to a D1 Scholarship! Just trust me and pick out a First Baseman's glove that feels good on your hand.
That was a memorable season for the ages. Carly slugged 12 home runs(school record) and batted .522 with 689 slugging .Owing to 16 intentional walks she sported a Barry Bond's style .602 OBP. On the mound she was clocked at 58 mph by college scouts and threw 2 no-hitters-one of them a Perfect Game! Her Smart Base-running was often compared to that of Albert Puljous .She new exactly when to take the extra base and score from second on a single.Her steals decreased a little from the previous year though.As a frosh she had 13 stolen bases and was caught just once. Sophomore year she picked her opportunities like Albert and was a perfect 7 in 7 attempts.
At season's end she was named pitcher of the year in the conference and first team first base-even with just 32 innings played at the position.Carly Jansen was on her way to Stardom and a college full-ride.She found herself looking forward to the "just pitching" aspect of travel ball-her last season.And then another 20 day vacation in OC.She had already picked out a Tankini and was ready to relax -and eat.

Next chapter .The Hansens keep enjoying each others company and "roll" along to graduation.College.And some more "Rolls" for All of them.