By Don Ketchum

Shea Palmer just wants to play softball, that’s all.

If it means switching from one position to another, that’s what she will do. If it means making the adjustment from hitting right-handed to hitting left-handed, she will do that, too.

The moves paid off beautifully for the recently graduated senior from Phoenix Pinnacle High. After being named to The Arizona Republic's All-Arizona Team, she will play for the East squad in tonight’s (June 6) Division I All-Star Game at Gilbert Mesquite. Game time is approximately 8:15 and will follow the Division II game at 5:30 and home run-hitting contest.

Early in Palmer’s career, she played second base. But coaches noticed she had good speed, so she shifted to center field. Speed also was a factor in her switching from being a right-handed hitter to the left side. She became a slap hitter and was placed in the leadoff spot most of the time.

“When they (coaches) told me, “You ought to switch to a left-handed hitter and be a slap hitter,’ I said, “What’s that?’ ’’ Palmer said after a practice on Tuesday (June 5) at Tempe McClintock. “They said, “You just run at the ball and take a swing at it.’ It was really awkward at first, but I got used to it and now I love it.’’

She also loves playing center field.

“When I first went out there, I had not tried it, but I got used to it,’’ she said. “You are able to cover a lot of ground out there. I especially love diving for the ball.’’

Palmer will take her swings and perhaps make a few dives in the All-Star Game, then play summer ball and head for Villanova University in Philadelphia, where she signed a letter-of-intent after being recruited during the summer of 2011.

“I visited the school and really enjoyed it,’’ she said. “It is good in academics and there is a lot of team chemistry. They do a lot of the little things and do them right, just like we did at Pinnacle. I think it will be a good fit.’’

Science is among her favorite subjects and she is leaning in that direction, possibly pre-med, as her field of study.

Winning her last high school game would be a fitting transition.

“I’m excited about the All-Star game,’’ she said. “I think it will be very competitive and I’m ready for it.

“I will get to put on that Pinnacle uniform one last time. Going there has been an amazing experience. It has been the best four years of my life.’’