One of the new tests in fastpitch this year was the SPARQ testing that was done in conjunction with at least twelve of the major exposure tournaments from June through November of 2006.  SPARQ stands for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, and Quickness.  Participants are scored in several areas:  20 and 30 yd. dash, 20 yd. shuttle run, power ball throw, and vertical jump.  From these events, a composite score is generated. 

At the Colorado Fireworks tournament in the summer, two of the Texas Aces players, Hayden & Kesha, ranked in the top 25, and Beth finished 40th out of over 350 players tested.  Beth attended the NFCA camp at Ronald McDonald in the fall, and did the SPARQ testing again.  This time Beth finished 4th out of 96 players tested.  However, her score of 56.33 from Ronald McDonald just missed being in the Top 50 SPARQ Ratings from 2006.  Hers was number 51 out of more than 2700 scores!  Since several players tested multiple times, Beth did place in the Top 50 athletes tested -- the top 2%!  Another interesting note, only one other pitcher tested placed higher than Beth.  Congratulations, Beth!  All that hard work in the gym is really starting to show.