Coupeville Sports

  Maria Rockwell, softball hurler extraordinaire (far left) — the force is strong in this one. (Melissa Losey photo)

ATM fans react to the news Rockwell may be pitching.

With great talent comes great responsibility.

Maria Rockwell is the real deal, a flame-throwing softball hurler who puts a quake in the knees of opposing batters. With her and McKayla Bailey forming a deadly mound combo, the upcoming season could be a bright one for Coupeville High School.

Bailey, AKA Turtle Shell, is a sensational sophomore, while Rockwell (The Rocket? The Terminator?) is a senior. She starred for the Wolves as a freshman, played her sophomore year in Florida after a move, then sat out last season to focus on academics after a return to C-Town.

In a perfect world, Rockwell makes a triumphant return to the CHS diamond, stepping in for the graduated Alexis Trumbull, who will be whipping in bullets for Skagit Valley this spring.

But, there is doubt. There are rumors Rockwell will play and rumors she won’t play.

While I have no idea of what factors are going into her decision, hesitate to put unnecessary pressure on a high school student and wish Maria well regardless of whether or not she steps onto the diamond Monday when practice begins, I know where Wolf fans fall on the matter.

We want Rockwell!!

We want Coupeville to put its best team on the field this spring, a team that will be fueled by the sweet, sweet tears of the teams whose hopes and dreams are crushed when they enter Thunderdome.

Bailey and Rockwell are like the fists of God reaching down out of the heavens and raining pain down upon the fevered brows of ATM and South Whidbey hitters.

They allow Wolf coaches David and Amy King to blow on each fist and intone, “Check One! Check Two! Want a piece of this action?!?!” as they head to the mound for conferences.

They are Ali and Frazier (ask your parents…) on the same team. They are weapons of mass pitching destruction. They fill the stands at home games and bring the high, hard cheese that wins the day.

They could be a brilliant combo. They could be amazing.

So, from all of Wolf Nation, Ms. Rockwell … will you say yes, will you unite with Turtle Shell in holy softball-flinging matrimony, will you be half of The Flame-Thrower Twins?