JOSH CHASE / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Jessica Shannon, above, and Frank Carlson, below, are among the home run leaders in the Pahrump Amateur Softball Association, which competes at Petrack Park. Advertisement

Apparently, reading, writing and arithmetic aren't the only school subjects that show up later in life. Just look at Jessica Shannon, who sits in second place for home runs in Pahrump's chapter of the Amateur Softball Association.

"I've been playing pretty much all my life," says Shannon. "I played high school ball here."

Not only did she play ball for the Pahrump Valley Trojans, but in her junior year, she was a member of the 2003 Nevada Class 3-A state championship team.

"I had good coaching in high school," said Shannon. And it's paying off. Shannon's home run standing isn't her only impressive feat this year; little more than halfway through the season, she's recorded 31 hits and 28 runs. As for her batting average, Shannon's .756 is nothing to scoff at.

"It was always just a natural thing," she said.

Shannon trails Amy Braach, of Gavin Construction, who has nine home runs and currently leads the league.

Braach attributes her success to a life full of athleticism.

"I didn't play in high school, but I played in summer leagues, so it's just something I've done on my own," said Braach. "I'm just pretty athletic. I've just always had the chance to compete."

The home run leader, who is in her second year of Pahrump ASA play, says she went to college on a basketball scholarship, explaining how athletics have always played a big part in her life.

On the men's side, it's Frank Carlson of the Sliders. He tops the home run leaderboard, tied with Saitta Trudeau's Brett Hart. Each has 13 homers, two ahead of the Sandbagger' Zack Thorn.

Carlson, who's batting .667, said he's been playing softball for 10 years, all in Pahrump. Surprisingly, prior to moving to Pahrump, his only batting experience was a one-year stint in Little League as a teenager.

"Everybody tells me I have a natural swing," he said. "I mean, I don't power up or anything special. I just try to hit the ball."

And fortunately for Carlson, his swing has become more powerful over the years. Ten years ago, he says, he couldn't hit the ball as far, but because of youthful speed, he could still tally his share of homers.

"I used to be faster," he says. "I'm 37 now, but when I first came out, everybody used to call me 'Rabbit.'"

If it wasn't for an increase in power, Carlson doubts he'd be leading the league in homers. Mostly, though, Carlson chalks his homers up to chance.

"I'm having a good year," he says. "I've had a couple of good years, and this year's one of them."