Ann Marie Topps

Barry Faulkner

It won’t be a home-run trot, exactly, because that would imply

preconception. But the construction of a 200-foot outfield fence on

the Costa Mesa High softball field this season, figures to

significantly limit the amount of energy Ann Marie Topps spends

circling the bases.

“I’d never hit a home run over a fence before last summer (at a

travel ball tournament in Canada),” the Costa Mesa senior shortstop

recalled. “But, I like it, because I only have to jog around the

bases.”

Topps made two half-speed processions around the diamond after

launching a pair of homers in the Mustangs’ season-opening nonleague

win Friday over University. But, whether coasting toward home or

sprinting for one of her frequent doubles or triples, the two-time

second-team All-CIF Southern Section Division IV performer’s tour of

the bases always begins by swinging the bat at “Topps” speed.

Topps, who earned All-Newport-Mesa and All-Pacific Coast League

honors each of her first two varsity seasons, is off to an

other-wordly start this spring. After going 4 for 4 with the

aforementioned two homers, including a grand slam, and seven RBIs

against Uni, she went 3 for 4 with two triples and five RBIs Saturday

in a first-round Costa Mesa Tournament win over Capistrano Valley

Christian. The Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week followed that up by

going 1 for 2 with two walks, two RBIs and three runs in the

Mustangs’ 13-7 nonleague win Tuesday over former PCL rival Corona del

Mar.

That makes Topps 8 for 10 with 14 RBIs, two homers, four triples,

one double, 21 total bases, seven runs and, seemingly enough

confidence to intimidate any opposing pitcher.

But Topps, whose path toward a softball scholarship to the

University of Oregon has been more of a fast track, since joining the

travel ball circuit before her sophomore prep campaign, emits none of

the swagger such slugging might induce.

“I don’t know if I’ve settled in yet,” Topps said of her 2003

debut. “I was sure nervous last weekend when the season was starting

out. I had to step out of the (batter’s) box a couple times to take

some deep breaths to try to relax, because I could feel my heart

pounding.”

Despite securing her collegiate future in the sport, Topps has

done anything but scale back the pursuit of her potential.

“She’s going 100% and it’s just incredible to watch,” Costa Mesa

Coach Rick Buanarigo said. “She is constantly in the cages working on

her swing.”

Topps takes regular hitting lessons from Jim Bullinger and

competes for the Athletics 18-and-under travel team, for which she

has started at shortstop the last two club seasons. It is this

experience against the top talent in her age group that has helped

her become an elite prep player.

“She was a little bit behind the other girls when she started

travel ball, but, now, she’s ahead of most of them,” said Buonarigo,

who believes Topps will extend the school career home-run record she

already owns (10).

“Travel ball really opened her eyes to what softball was all about

at the next level,” Buonarigo said. “She has a lot of strength in her

legs and also has an extremely strong throwing arm. Put that together

with the experience she has been able to get in travel ball and that

makes her pretty tough.”

As tough as Topps can be at the plate, as well as in the field,

where her range on balls hit in the air spans from shallow

right-center field to the left-field foul line, her outgoing

personality and passion for laughter project a completely different

picture off the field.

“I like to have fun with my teammates, no matter what team I’m

playing on,” she said. I always have so much fun playing softball and

I love playing with these (Mesa) girls.”