softball2011

Conservative estimates state that College production was down at least 30% last year, at least in the power department right???

So what affect do you think it will have on High School play??

I think more pitchers will shine due to reduction in power and the need to have a "better swing" vs a "better bat" to get on base.

I think purer hitters will shine since there is likely to be less random "shots" from untrained hitters.  There for, good batters will be easier to identify.

I think team speed will be a larger factor in scoring, contact hitters will struggle.

Net result...the game is going to change just like it did in College.....on average I think scores will be down.

WHAT DO YOU THINK???

][move][color=red][size=18pt]Unleeshed 14U -Practices are starting soon at High School Softball field BUNA[/size][/color][/move][
Please text me if you know you are attending:


We will be holding tryouts near the end of November --- weather pending to replace players moving into High School play in the spring (2 roster spots) and to reinforce or upgrade spring roster....total of 3-4 roster spots.  Fall has been a success for us, holding it together with so many conflicting sport schedules.  Especially starting the team from scratch August 1 this year.  We still have 2 tournaments left and it appears the Fall has definitely served its purpose.

Moving forward to the spring however, we are wanting to add to the 5-6 girls that desire Softball to be their main priority in the Spring. We have two steadily improving and competitive pitchers as well as other beginning pitchers on board.  We are steady behind the plate with 2-3 girls capable of handling the task.  No positions are final by any means but we definitely have an athletic and stable core set of girls.  We are not for everybody, as we have had some girls come and go that we were not the best fit for, probably some that will be great players on other teams.  It is important to find a good fit for the player.....ie coaching style, price of participation, convenience to parents, fit for girl amongst the other girls, and obviously the competitiveness of the team.

We will be having a tryout in November for those girls wanting to find a fit NOW! and probably 1-2 more in the very early spring.  We plan on carrying out a winter workout schedule with at least hitting once a week and girls continuing pitching practice.  If you are interested and want to be kept up to date on Tryouts please text me your info and daughters name and birth year.

It is our hope to be a full roster of '98 birthdays, but accept the fact we may have to have 1-3 '97's to maintain a competitive presence.  We are at the stage where the girls need to decide and understand you only get what you put into it, and even then, it might not be what you are hoping for.  I am heading towards raising the standard of commitment so that the 5-6 that are on board already with that plan, can begin finding taller mountains to tackle. 

If this seems like a fit for you, or you want more info concerning tryouts please text me Shelby Palmer @ 409-782-9876 or email me at [email][email protected][/email] 

Team is being organized to keep the bats swinging threw the fall.  Nothing special, not a lot of travel.  If you are going to be 16 or younger until May 1 of next year and are going to be playing High School ball in the spring, then this might be a good fit for you.  We have about 11 boys so far, but everyone knows how complicated it can be on boys from small schools with all the other sports.  As Always, pitchers are the hottest commodity but utility players are useful also.

We are looking to play in about 3 tournaments before end of November and/or organizing our own Round Robin formats on local fields with local teams. 

Again the main purpose is to try to keep the rust off and stay in Baseball shape.

If interested in more details
contact:  Andrew Marshall  409-466-1256 by text.

Nice job this weekend ladies...4 good games and 2 wins to show for it....I saw a whole lot of "Team" out on the field instead of so many "me's"  proud of you guys.

What I saw was a better offense than our defense.  Had we played defense like we did the week before, it would have been a very painful game.  Buna made some very obvious changes during the week(good job coaches and players.)  It's about trying to get better, and Buna did.  I am sure Newton thinks they didn't do as well as they could either, it  was clear in the second half they were confident they were in control and really tried to blow Buna out but failed.  It seems Buna has begun to open the play book up more this year, passing when we would normally run.  First half our offense held up to the pressure from newton defense, it just was too much in second half to sustain(good job Newton).  I thought the boys did well considering  this is essentially the first real defense they have faced.  I am excited to see what adjustments get made this week and am hopeful we build on all the good things we are doing now.  Clearly Twine #5 is a step ahead of most the talent out there @2A level but it seems like we have a handful (4-6) of hardworking young men clipping at his heals. We have playmakers out there this year, and it sure if fun to watch.  Good luck boys, it will be no surprise if you guys go beyond district this year.

We need someone with an expertise in Offensive and Defensive strategy.  It won't be long till they(the girls) surpass my shallow knowledge of that portion of the game.  If you know any X-coaches, players, or Die-hard dad's who daughters aren't playing anymore, I would love to discuss helping us.  Please encourage them to contact me, or give me the info and I would contact them.  Compensation is an option just not a very generous topic right now.

Hit their first milestone this weekend....FIRST VICTORY.  Good job girls, it's going to be fun to how far you guys take your talents over the next couple of years.  Now let's get to work and start adding to the W column.

Have an opening for established pitcher.  We are a first year 14U but are flexible on pitching staff.  Willing to work any established pitcher on full-time or part-time basis.  Willing to work with the "multi-sport" athlete needing to find a way to get her time in the circle.  [color=red]Must "not" have turned 16 this year[/color] to still be able to play this fall.  So if you are a freshman this might be a fit for you and me till spring.  Our Roster is full and we have developing pitching on board, as well as one solid pitcher.  Ideal for "pitcher only" who can't seem to get enough work.  Not looking to pull anybody away from another team.  We play twice a month.  Could be perfect match for a #2 or #3 pitcher from a very strong team seeking time in the circle on Sunday.

Coach:  Looking for ex-college player(s) wanting to give coaching a shot.  Budget doesn't allow for compensation, but I am willing to cover travel expenses for tournaments and possible gas subsidy for practice.  Goal is to be Dad free on the field, and that includes me.  Welcome to 1,2 or 3 coming to help.  If you know someone that fits this bill, please let me know, I will make the contact.

email:  [email protected]
phone:  409-782-9876

Thanks for taking the time to read this, it means you care something about softball and girls playing it.  :) 

14U are welcome to come out this weekend too, if you missed last weekend.....team is still forming

we'll be there

Young freshman needs team for the summer.  JV ball is over and Select team folded due to roster issues.  Has been playing select ball since 10, takes hitting lessons weekly, works with older team in area but needs game time for himself.  Willing to play fill in while looking for a team if need be. 

January 27th - thursday - at Marauder Park
Time 5:30 - finish
Please contact if coming.


Chad:  409-679-0267
Shelby:  [email protected]

Refer to previous post for more details:
Note:  Franchise is operating this year on a Pay as you play format, with monthly dues only $50/month to secure a quality field for practice(Marauder Park), so if you have the tools to play but not the budget, we might be a good fit.  We are fortunate this season with our Coaching staff volunteering their services.  This season the Head coach will be Barry Hillin from Buna, accompanied by his son Brandon, hitting coach Tracey Franklin, and assistant coach Josh Calhoun.  We have been very pleased with the progress The Franchise has made thru the years, always putting a very competitive team on the field.  Last year we tried a paid coach approach with Russel Delome, and were extremely pleased.  This year he is moving up to coach older boys with another team and wish him well, and look forward to sending players his way as they develop.  He was instrumental in showing the boys what will be expected as they approach their High School play.  We are grateful for all the support from all the people who have given time tirelessly in past years to The Franchise.

Thursday tryout has been canceled due to likelihood of rain.  New date will be posted soon.  One on One tryouts available by appointment.
contact Chad Shepherd or Shelby Palmer.

Chad:  409-679-0267
Shelby:  [email protected]

Refer to previous post for more details: 
Note:  Franchise is operating this year on a Pay as you play format, with monthly dues only $50/month to secure a quality field for practice(Marauder Park), so if you have the tools to play but not the budget, we might be a good fit.  We are fortunate this season with our Coaching staff volunteering their services.  This season the Head coach will be Barry Hillin from Buna, accompanied by his son Brandon, hitting coach Tracey Franklin, and assistant coach Josh Calhoun.  We have been very pleased with the progress The Franchise has made thru the years, always putting a very competitive team on the field.  Last year we tried a paid coach approach with Russel Delome, and were extremely pleased.  This year he is moving up to coach older boys with another team and wish him well, and look forward to sending players his way as they develop.  He was instrumental in showing the boys what will be expected as they approach their High School play.  We are grateful for all the support from all the people who have given time tirelessly in past years to The Franchise.

Thursday tryout has been canceled due to likelihood of rain.  New date will be posted soon.  One on One tryouts available by appointment.
contact Chad Shepherd or Shelby Palmer. 

Chad:  409-679-0267
Shelby:  [email protected]

Lots of people have been asking where we are going to be practicing....well this spring it will be at the Lumberton Marauder Park where we are holding the tryouts.  It is a great facility with an excellent field and lighted batting cages, where we will have slotted times each week. 

If you have a good baseball foundation and love to play the game, then The Franchise might be the team for you.  Now in its 5th year, the boys are growing up fast.  Going from "daddy ball" to now a independent coaching staff for the last two years.  Our mission has always been to try to get the boys ready for High School play, providing an ambitious and competitive environment, challenging each boy to strive to improve and contribute by whatever means possible.  Each year, we hold tryouts not only to reinforce the existing squad but to also ensure interest and dedication is still there for returning players.  Current status:  we are expecting to need to pick up 3-5 players depending on positions and experience available.

We are conducting two tryouts:

Saturday Jan 15th 2pm @ Lumberton Marauder Baseball Park

Thursday Jan 20th 5:30pm @ Lumberton Marauder Baseball Park

If interested please contact Chad Shepherd 409-679-0267 or
you email me(Shelby Palmer) @    [email protected]

Tryouts will be this Sunday @ Marauder Park, please text or email for time.

Team never formed, not enough interest, my daughter is playing on another team.

Bump

Want to say thanks to everybody that showed up to the tryouts:  that is my wife, son, youngest daughter and off course my 11 year old daughter.  It is discouraging to know the area seems to think these girls will just wake up in High School and be competitive let alone possibly play at the next level.  Like others we will just have to travel out of town to participate in softball at a select level. 

Thanks to organizations like OOC, Orange Crush, The Thunder, Gt Shockers, and others, there are opportunities for girls to play.  Thank you guys for being out there.  Until these girls have car keys in their hands, it so revolves around the parents willingness to support these endeavors.

Kudos go out to the 10U team from the Buna Area that seems to have the interest to keep a team going, I wish you all the luck in the future. 

The Franchise 14U team now in its fourth year running will be participating in a Fall Ball program again this year.  While our roster is fairly stable, we have one here and there with football conflicts and  other obligations preventing them from participating.  Therefore, we will be conducting a tryout to pick up 2-3 players for the fall to insure sufficient roster to be competitive and deep enough to handle a missing player or two when need be.  Our spring roster is not set nor will it be until the early spring(january)  whereby we may conduct another tryout to either reinforce the roster further or fill holes if need be.  So whether you are looking for something to keep the rust off during the off season, or looking for a new team, this might be for you.

Our Fall tryout will be within a couple of weeks, as we will begin practice and play in September.  If interested in tryout details please email me @ [color=red][email protected][/color]  or text me at [color=red]409-782-9876[/color] and simply state your interest in the tryout date, name of your child, age, and where you are from.  From that I will make sure you are contacted prior to tryouts.  Thanks, look forward to hearing from you.

Does anybody know of any camps around for first year players going on before school starts???

Planning to have tryouts Saturday Aug 14th at Buna Little League fields.  Looking to form a team at each age level.  Looking to play 4-5 tournaments this fall then a full schedule in the Spring.  I would like to get an idea of how many people are interested or plan to attend.  Any questions or concerns please fill free to email me @ [email protected].  While I am putting it together and will likely help I am planning on having a non "dad" coach.  I would welcome x-softball players and coaches that think they might like to get involved.  It would be my preference to not be on the field since I have a daughter playing.  I will be posting tryout times after I hear back from folks, I will try to be as time friendly as possible.