Shanker, Chamberlain-Simon fare well at Northwest Suburban event

Many of the faces were unfamiliar. But Emily Shanker and Nicki Chamberlain-Simon could always lean on each other.

The Deerfield seniors-to-be played in the inaugural Northwest Suburban Showcase last weekend. In most instances, they were lined up side-by-side in the infield.

“I love playing with Nicki,” said Shanker, who often plays third base. “When I play third and she’s at short, it’s a real comfort knowing she’s there.”

Chamberlain-Simon had a similar take on the issue.

“We know we have each other’s back,” Chamberlain-Simon said. “She’s one of my best friends outside of school, too.”

Shanker came into the tournament in a prolonged hitting slump. But she came alive at the Showcase playing on the CSL/FVC team.

“I hit the ball a lot better this weekend,” said Shanker, who ripped a sharp single late in Saturday’s first game. “As I’m starting to turn it around, I’m trying to hit into the outfield gaps. I’m just trying to make solid contact every time.”

Suddenly, college softball could be on the radar.

“Before this weekend, I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to play in college,” Shanker said. “But we’ll see.”

Shanker definitely enjoyed the atmosphere of the Showcase.

“It’s fun to play against the best players in the area,” she said.

In her quest to become an elite player, Chamberlain-Simon has seen time at short, second and in the outfield.

“I’ve become a more versatile player over the last two years,” Chamberlain-Simon said.

She has plenty of speed on the basepaths. In time, she hopes to become a more powerful hitter.

“I’ve always been able to make a lot of contact,” she said. “This past year, I’ve been working much harder on getting stronger contact on the ball. My hitting will improve.”

The game of softball has always intrigued Chamberlain-Simon.

“There are so many different aspects to the game,” she said. “It’s a real challenge, because there is always something you can be better at.”

Strong debut: As the initial softball showcase wrapped up, Heather Ruchim had no complaints.

“I think it went very well,” said Ruchim, who runs Heather Ruchim Softball, Inc. “Most importantly, the girls were having a lot of fun and they’re making new friends. For a first year, everything is going well.”

The event attracted 20 college coaches, including visitors from the University of Illinois and DePaul University.

“I think they liked what they saw,” Ruchim said. “It’s a solid foundation for next year.”

Ruchim, who is an assistant JV coach at Deerfield High School, was hoping to draw a few more coaches to the event. But the numbers were still satisfactory.

“There were only 80 girls playing at a time,” Ruchim noted. “So the ratio of 80 girls to 20 coaches was pretty good.”

The showcase is the only one of its kind in Illinois. Ruchim knows there are similar softball showcases in Pennsylvania and Colorado.

Ruchim plans on holding the showcase again in 2012. She’s also considering putting together a skills showcase for next fall.

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