3ABirdMan

A big THANK YOU to all of the girls who have expressed interest in participating with us for the ‘18-‘19 seasons. Turnout has been so good that we are asking for a few more 14U-18U players to make TWO new teams! If you are interested, please contact us through the end of this week. All positions are open and earned, but we really need one or two more 16/18 pitchers who want a good share of mound time in the exposure circuit.

We had the fields checked at 11:45 after this mornings’ showers. There is no standing water. They are damp but not muddy. We will be on fields G, H, or I, as field D is not available.

2nd tryout tomorrow, Sunday, at 2:00, planned for the Beaumont Athletic Complex on College street, FLD D. In the event the fields are too wet, we will update the post here and move indoors to the Hit House in Bridge City, still at 2:00. If you haven’t been able to make either tryout and are still interested, please contact me and we can set up a private tryout to fit our schedules.

Tryouts will begin as scheduled at 10:00 this morning at the Athletic Complex on College street in Beaumont, field D. In the event it does rain before we are done, we will continue at the Hit House cages in Bridge City at 2:00. Please wear pants and cleats for the field, but BE SURE to bring shorts and turf shoes in case we are forced to go indoors. Sorry for this inconvenience. We look forward to seeing you at 10:00.

Due to a scheduling conflict, IF we are forced indoors, it will be at Hit House from 2:00-5:00. I will post here Saturday morning if we are going indoors.

In the event of rain Friday or Saturday, we will move indoors at the Orange County Hit House 2467 W. Roundbunch Bridge City Time will remain 10:00. I will post here early Saturday morning if we are indeed moving. #planningahead

MOJO FASTPITCH would like to announce the addition of a new team for the upcoming ’18 - ’19 season. They will play competitive and showcase tournaments with a focus on recruiting. The team will be coached by James Birdwell, who brings over 20 yrs experience with him to this team. Tryouts will be for girls between birth years of 2001-2005, or 14U thru 18U. We are looking for all positions. Tryouts will be held at the Beaumont Athletic Complex on College Street. Tryouts: Saturday, August 4th @ 10:00 am Sunday, August 12th @ 2:00 pm For info or questions : James Birdwell 409-738-5479 Michael Wright 409-540-1040

Should be a good game.

Orange CRUSH 18U (Birdwell) and Orange CRUSH 16U will be holding joint try-outs on Sunday 8/18 and Sunday 9/1. Both try-outs will begin at 3:00 at the CRUSH fields in West Orange, located across from the WO-S football stadium. CRUSH fielded a 16U team this summer for the first time in several years. We are looking, as an organization, to grow that team and make it stronger to give younger players an opportunity to be on a roster that will attract college coaches. The emphasis for this team will be college recruiting. Both teams will work together at times, and seperately when needed. Our goal is to provide a positive environment for good kids who are excellent students an opportunity to grow their skill and move on to the collegiate level. EVERY Orange CRUSH (Birdwell) high school graduate over the past 5 years who opted to play at the collegiate level HAS HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY. If you are interested, or have questions or concerns for either team, please feel free to contact me. James Birdwell 409-738-5479 cell (after 4:00 pm please)

We will hold an open practice / tryout Sunday May 5th and again Sunday May 19th at 2:00 pm at the CRUSH fields in West Orange, located across from the WO-S football stadium. We will be looking for all postions, particularly middle infield and outfield, and could always use more pitching. If you are still involved in HS playoffs, just come by and we'll have a discussion - I know the HS school coaches don't want anyone working out for fear of injury - I'm OK with that.  For more information, please contact James Birdwell  --  409-738-5479 cell If you want to know what we are about, what our goals are etc, please feel free to contact me.

[quote name="3ABirdMan" post="1257217" timestamp="1346468731"] We will have our LAST open practice this Sunday at 3:00.  We have one opening remaining for a QUALITY pitcher. All other positions have been filled. Please feel free to contact me if you need any more information. James Birdwell [/quote] It is currently raining at the CRUSH fields. Practice is moved to the cages at Hitters Inc 410 Parkside behind the BC Little League fields. Please wear sneakers if attending.

We will have our LAST open practice this Sunday at 3:00.  We have one opening remaining for a QUALITY pitcher. All other positions have been filled. Please feel free to contact me if you need any more information. James Birdwell

Orange CRUSH 18U (Birdwell) will be holding OPEN PRACTICE and TRY-OUTS on the following dates and times at the CRUSH Fields: [font=courier]•Sunday  Aug.  5 @  3:00 pm •Sunday  Aug. 12 @  3:00 pm •Sunday  Sep.  2 @  3:00 pm [/font] The CRUSH Fields are located on the corner of Burnett and Newton in West Orange, across from the WOS football stadium.  All interested players are invited to work out with us as we begin our Fall season.  We are looking for, at a minimum, 1 catcher, 1 pitcher, 1 middle infielder (SS), and 1 outfielder.  We will carry 12-16 players on our roster, depending on conflicts with other activities (such as Volleyball and Basketball).  We will primarily participate in Exposure events, ASA Gold Qualifiers, and local tournaments.  We will also attempt to Qualify and participate in 1 National tournament in the summer of 2013. Our main goal is to provide our players the opportunity to continue their softball careers at the collegiate level by allowing them to showcase their talents on the field.  We also provide advice and guidance on how to achieve their goals, both athletically and academically.  Over the past 4 years, EVERY GRADUATING SENIOR FROM OUR TEAM who chose to pursue softball at the collegiate level HAS ACHIEVED THAT GOAL! We are looking for players who are excellent students, of exceptional character, with a strong work ethic, and who are willing to learn how to succeed both on the field and off. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or conflicts.  Confidential individual try-outs may be arranged as needed. James Birdwell - Manager 409-738-5479 cell

Congrats to BOTH teams for leaving it all on the field!  Nothing for either team to hang their heads about! Good luck to WOS in the playoffs!

[quote name="Mr. Buddy Garrity" post="1089964" timestamp="1319248215"] Oh. I thought it was on the radio. [/quote] PLEASE!  There's a game on! Try to keep up!

CRUSH Birdwell still needs at least one 'quality' pitcher. If you are interested, drop me a PM, email, or call my cell @ 409-738-5479.

Check your email!

REMINDER: CRUSH Harrell and Birdwell will hold our last open try-out Sunday @ 2:00. I'm really not looking to forward to it, as it will only serve as another reminder that one our own is missing.....

I've spent the entire day thinking about Chuck.  I'm no closer now to being able to explaining my feelings than I was at 6:00 this morning when I learned of the news. I've had the good fortune of spending the last 12 months with Chuck and Chelsea doing something we all loved - softball.  I am a better person for having shared that time with them.  You will never find a better dad, coach, or person to share time with your kids than Chuck. And you will never find a sweeter, kinder kid than Chelsea, and I think that's what weighs the most on my heart.  We have lost a friend, a coach, a mentor - She has lost so much more than that... My heart is heavy. Chuck - You are already missed, and only time will help to slowly fill that void. God bless the McLain family. My prayers are with you.

I'm not sure - I haven't talked to John about it....  In all honesy, I would venture a guess and say "no" - As a parent, I would prefer my daughters' name not be posted all over the internet, especially without the parents' previous consent. Once try-outs are over and selections have been made, we may reconsider....  Not trying to be a jerk - that's just how I see it...

[quote name="3ABirdMan" post="1030895" timestamp="1312343004"] ***  PLEASE NOTE  --  CRUSH Harrell AND Birdwell will be holding try-outs at the same time  *** CRUSH Birdwell's 1st goal, as a team, will be to promote our players as they extend their softball careers into the collegiate level.  We will primarily participate in Exposure events, ASA Gold Qualifiers, and local tournaments.  We will also attempt to Qualify and participate in 1 National tournament in the summer of 2012. We are looking for players from good families who are excellent students, of exceptional character, and who are willing to learn how to succeed both on the field and off. ALL POSITIONS ARE OPEN! [color=orange][b]Primary consideration will be given to pitcher(s)[/b][/color], middle infielders, and outfielders. Please contact me if you have any questions.  Confidential individual try-outs may be arranged as needed. James Birdwell [/quote] [color=green][b]Looking for at least 2 quality pitchers![/b][/color]

***  PLEASE NOTE  --  CRUSH Harrell AND Birdwell will be holding try-outs at the same time  *** CRUSH Birdwell's 1st goal, as a team, will be to promote our players as they extend their softball careers into the collegiate level.  We will primarily participate in Exposure events, ASA Gold Qualifiers, and local tournaments.  We will also attempt to Qualify and participate in 1 National tournament in the summer of 2012. We are looking for players from good families who are excellent students, of exceptional character, and who are willing to learn how to succeed both on the field and off. ALL POSITIONS ARE OPEN! Primary consideration will be given to pitcher(s), middle infielders, and outfielders. Please contact me if you have any questions.  Confidential individual try-outs may be arranged as needed. James Birdwell

[quote name="Craig S" post="1020545" timestamp="1308886769"] I had a long long talk with one of my best players about staying with Shockers Gold Or go to Houston Power.....we were just starting the Gold team....I explained to them we could not provide the recruiting she was looking for...as far as the quality college team.....it definately hurt our org by losing that kind of talent....but it was what was best for her....so we encouraged her to go. Some will call it "self promoting"....my question is....how many are willing to tell their best player to go somewhere else because you can't provide what they truely need....how many are willing to step away from their DD's because its what they need.... [/quote] I just had the same conversation with 2 kids at the end of school ball.  Both are still with me for now, but if I can't help them reach their goals, how can I justify holding them back???? [quote author=JohnnyT60 link=topic=85141.msg1021016#msg1021016 date=1309208508] ....Because the best or most of them end up on one team, does not mean the rest have no place to play. In fact there should be other teams to support these players.... [/quote] This is where I come in!  ;D  I have helped 9  kids in the last 3 years get scholarship monies to help pay for their college.  None were DI's, but who cares?  That's not what those kids were looking for!  Do we need to turn our collective backs on those kids who are looking for DII, DIII, or JUCO schools?  I don't think so!  That's why I do what I do!  I'll most likely never take a team to Gold Nationals - Does that make the kids who play me for any less important?  No way!!! This is not intended as a rant on those who do know me or what I do - It's to inform those who think the only team needs to be the best 12 players from the area, and forget the rest...  Those other kids need a place to go as well - Don't leave them out!

My aplologies for the late notice - I left the time off.... 2-5 at the CRUSH fields in West Orange.  Feel free to call after church tomorrow if you have questions or conflicts.

Orange CRUSH Gold (Birdwell) will hold an open practice / tryout on Sunday May 15 at the CRUSH fields in West Orange.  All interested players are invited to come work out with us as we begin our summer.  We are an 18U Gold team whose focus is on providing exposure opportunities to allow girls to continue their softball careers into the collegiate level.  We are looking for good kids with great grades and a strong work ethic. For more information or details, please contact James Birdwell at 409-738-5479.