Maddie Millwood throws a 55 mph fastball for the Fury 2000 softball team.At an average of 55 mph, Maddie Millwood’s fastball could beat even a quick-hoofed gazelle in a race from the pitcher’s mound to the catcher’s mitt.
HER CLAIM TO FAMEIn 2009, Maddie Millwood, 11, and her team, the Frost Falcons, won the U.S. Fastpitch Association World Series tournament in Panama City, Fla. In 2011, they played in the Amateur Softball Association of America Nationals, placing fifth. Maddie received her varsity letter at Loftis Middle School as a sixth-grader and this year was named to the Hamilton County Middle School All Star Softball Team.ABOUT HER* School: Sixth-grader at Loftis Middle.* Favorite movies: “Soul Surfer” and the “Twilight” series.* Athletic idol: Dot Richardson.* Pets: A dog, Snooky.* Person she’d like to meet: The Arizona Wildcats.* Place she’d like to visit: Hawaii.* Pitching speed: 55 mph.TALENT SHOWDo you know a child age 15 or younger with a precocious talent in academics, athletics or the arts? The Times Free Press is searching for children to feature in “Talent Show,” which appears in the Life section on Tuesdays. To nominate a child as a possible subject of a future feature article, e-mail staff writer Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or call him at 423-757-6205.
For the last three years, Maddie, 11, has put her arm to good use as a pitcher for her softball team, Fury 2000. In late July, Fury was the first team in Tennessee to qualify for the 2011 Amateur Softball Association of America Nationals in Johnson City, Tenn.
Although she didn’t begin playing softball until she was 4, Maddie has been around the sport practically since she was born. When Maddie was just 2 weeks old, her mother, Danette Everett, would take her to the ballpark, where Maddie’s older sister, Samantha Everett, 21, played shortstop for a Fury team.
“When my sister was on deck, I would put my hands through the fence, and she would come over and touch it,” Maddie said, a smile crinkling her freckled face. “It’s just something I love. It’s exciting just getting to go out there.”