This is an exciting time for events with big weekend events happening in Florida and Missouri which we profile in today’s Daily Update, but first we head north of the border to check out what it’s like to play for a club team in Canada!  We also have a club team that plays in Canada and internationally and have a Big Ten-bound player who will stay instate…

 

*****

 

CLUB PROFILE: DIAMONDS FASTPITCH GOLD

There are about 240 kids playing at the college level in the U.S. who are from Canada and the “Neighbor to the North” has also put out some big-name players ranging from Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie to Georgia Tech infielder Jennifer Yee to Syracuse hurler Jenna Caira.

But if you think playing club ball in the States is tough, try making it happen when you’re in the land where softball often gets squeezed out by coaches who want their young athletes to focus on track, swimming, hockey or another sport and you pretty much have to go to another country if you’re going to play softball at the next level.

That’s what Mark Carter, founder of the Diamonds Fastpitch Gold team, faces as he takes his team all over the map to play for experience and search for exposure.

“My team this year played in the Scotiabank Canadian Open in Surrey, British Columbia,” he explained, “and they had their feet in the Pacific Ocean at the beach on an off day.  Two months later at the Canadian National U16 Championships we were in Prince Edward Island on the opposite side of the country and they put their feet in the Atlantic Ocean, 3300 miles across the country.”

Based in the Greater Toronto Area where she’s roughly six million people, you’d think the numbers would favor getting together a lot of talented players, but it’s actually quite challenging, according to Carter, to field just one team.

“The biggest challenge is getting a number of good players, that’s the bottom line,” he says.  “It’s a struggle to find 10 or 11 top-level committed players.  It’s tough because some have it in them naturally but some don’t see the level of dedication it takes to excel like you would be around in the U.S.”

One problem hurting softball in Canada, believes the father of two softball-playing daughters, is that the increasing emphasis on specialization is pulling girls away from the field.

“There are girls in schools around here who leave every day at noon to go play with a Toronto soccer program,” the coach continues, “and there was an outfielder who had a great arm who had to quit because of track demands.”

Then there is the obvious travel costs.  To play in the New England’s Finest tournament, which the Diamonds did this year, it was a nine hour one-way drive to Boston.  To fly to the Canadian Open, perhaps the biggest softball event annually in Canada can cost $900 and, adding in hotel costs and food, can run to about $3,000 per player (that’s U.S. and Canada dollars since both are about equivalent right now).

But there is one major advantage Canadians have if they play softball seriously—a much greater chance to represent their country on the National teams.

Carter has two daughters, Riley, who just turned 19 and plays catcher and shortstop for Butler and is in the Canadian National Team pool and Morgan, a 16-year-old star pitcher on the Diamonds.

Riley has played on the Junior National team and could someday represent Canada, which is ranked third in the world, in international play.

“What happens,” the girls’ father states, “is those who play in the U.S. from Canada are motivated to play not just for their college team for the National team.  These girls have something to play for past college and NCAA coaches tell us they see that extra dedication in Canadian players because they have something to shoot for after graduation.”

Because softball is on the outside looking in on the Canadian sports scene, if you want to play seriously you won’t do it through the country’s schools.

“Hardly any schools here play high school softball,” Carter says.  “You have to go where the high level of play is and that’s club ball if you want to further your softball career.  And university ball in Canada is nowhere near what you have in the NCAA, either.  Top 18U teams here would beat most of our university teams because it’s not a sponsored university sport.”

To get introduced into softball in Canada, you usually have to have a tie-in and for the Carter girls it was their own father’s background.

The Diamonds’ coach played senior mens’ fastpitch when younger and taught his daughters to play basically from the time they left their diapers behind.  Riley and Morgan were taught how to play at five and they climbed the softball ladder going from rec ball to club as Mark coached his youngest daughter at every step of the way.

“It’s been 12 years,” he laughs, “and it’s put 500,000 miles on our vehicles and made us a lot poorer.”

Carter began the Diamonds simply because there was a need in their area, which is about 30 minutes north of Toronto.  In the last decade, as Morgan has progressed as a pitcher the team has won more frequently including at high level tournaments such as the Canadian Nationals where they took fifth in 2012.  Four years ago, the Diamonds won the provincials, which is somewhat equivalent to a state championship in the U.S and the U16 (it’s not “16U” in Canada) finished fifth in the country last year.

The players are getting better too and when Riley graduated there were also a pair of her teammates who went Div. II in the U.S.  Coach Carter believes Morgan’s class will have several next year who have the possibility to go play somewhere.

What’s helping the players get better is competing against elite completion so, as the saying goes, to be the best you have to play the best and that will entail long trips next year to Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Tennessee for the Canadian team.

It’s a tough road, figuratively and literally, but Carter says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“If I could get a paid job coaching these girls, I’d take it,” he says.  “The rewards of watching girls develop and group up to become great people are fantastic.  It’s one thing to help them work on their skills and get them to improve, but realistically on every team here only about two or three kids can or will play in the U.S.”

“The reward comes from coaching a group of 12 kids and teaching them about life and what they need to know about life through the medium of softball.”

***

Here’s a player-by-player look at the Diamonds Fastpitch Gold team with comments by Head Coach Mark Carter:

— P Morgan Carter  (2015, uncommitted)
“Morgan throws the rise, screw, drop and change, and touches the low 60’s.  Morgs is the most fierce competitor we have. I haven’t yet met anyone who hates to lose as much as she does.  Morgan is also a solid hitter who can hit for power or hit behind runners. She is a very versatile player who would start on most teams at any other position on the diamond as she has a very strong arm. Morgan is reviewing her options, but would like to follow her sister to the NCAA somewhere.”

— 2B Monica Tran  (2015, uncommitted)
“This is Monica’s second year with the Gold team.  She is a stud athlete with fast feet, a lightning release and covers a huge territory at second.  Monica bats left and is our leadoff hitter; she led the team in average last year hitting over .400.  She has long at bats and is a top level slapper and drag bunter.”

— 3B Madison Gilliland (2015, uncommitted)
“Maddy come up to the Gold level two years ago and has put in a ton of work to earn her starting spot at third base.  She is what any coach is looking for at the hot corner-guts–and she is fearless.  Additionally, Maddy carries a lot of power at the plate. She is a brilliant student both of the game and academically and we expect her to attend a top-level academic school.”

— OF/1B/P Kaylyn Shaughnessy (2014, Gannon)
“Kaylyn is a small package, but packs a big punch.  She is an excellent outfielder, starts at first base as a lefty sometimes and is also in the pitching rotation. At the plate, Kaylyn is that lefty triple threat and is probably the best all-around hitter on the team. She can slap, drag and then swing for power keeping defenses totally off balance.  Kaylyn has verbally committed to Gannon University in Pennsylvania.

— C Alex Anani  (2015, uncommitted)
“Alex is one of our starting catchers, she has excellent pop times and a gun of an arm.  Alex typically bats in the two spot following Monica as she has an excellent eye at the plate and makes pitchers work to get her out.  Alex can put defenses on their heels as a lefty who can slap bunt and hit for power equally well.”

— OF Marianne Szajn (2015, uncommitted)
“Marianne is our starting center fielder.  She has tremendous speed and covers the outfield extremely well, tracking balls instantly right from point of contact.  Marianne has a very strong and very accurate arm, which teams who know her will not challenge. At the plate Marianne can swing away from the right side but can also turn lefty and slap or drag and capitalize on her speed.”

— OF/3B Donya Salman  (2015, uncommitted)
“Donya is extremely easy to coach.  She puts consistent pressure on herself to work hard during games and, more importantly, at practices. Donya backs up Maddy at third base and is otherwise patrolling left field.  She has a very accurate arm from the outfield and at the plate hits from the left side where she is a line drive hitter but can surprise a lot of defenses by laying down the drag bunt. With her speed, Donya consistently puts defenses under pressure.”

— P/1B Victoria Zorzit Hillo (2016, uncommitted)
“Victoria has developed into an excellent young pitcher, she throws a drop, change, fastball and curve which is developing nicely.  Victoria is very mature and a team leader even though she has been playing up a division against players sometimes three years older. Vic is a very intelligent player who rarely, if ever, makes a mental mistake.  She swings a big stick and hits with a lot of power.  Vic is also an excellent first baseman.”

— C Lisa Szajn  (2016, uncommitted)
“Lisa is our other starting catcher.  She is a tall kid for her age and has been playing up a division for the past two years.  Lisa’s defensive skills behind the plate are as good as anyone and she has a strong arm.  Lisa is a right-hand bat who hits for power and drives the ball very well. Lisa’s improvement curve has been tremendous and she will have tons of interested schools.”

— MIF Courtney Sinclair (2014, uncommitted)
“Courtney is an excellent middle infielder starting either at shortstop or second  base.  She has played for top teams prior to moving over to the Diamonds. Courtney rarely makes any mistakes and is a stabling influence on the rest of the infield.  She is a strong bat and rarely strikes out. Courtney, like Morgan, is looking at U.S. schools as well; her sister is currently a pitcher in the NAIA.”

— OF Christina Grisolia (2016, uncommitted)
“Christina is playing up for the first time with the Diamonds. We chose Christina because she has such a natural ability to track balls in the outfield and this has earned her our starting right field position. Christina also carries a lot of pop in her bat as she has gone yard twice so far in only nine games with the Diamonds.”

 

*****

 

RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Speaking of Canada, there’s a California team that has does a lot internationally and that’s the Cal A’s based in Fullerton, Calif.

The Cal A’s organization is the travel ball expansion of Kathy Miller’s Cal A’s International team and plays in the Canada Cup regularly. Started in 1993, many past and current Olympians, college coaches and collegiate players have played in the Cal A’s program.

One unique feature about the Cal A’s is the coaches are all tied into colleges: A’s Head Coach Marian “Speedy” Mendoza is also the Head Coach at Fullerton College and the assistants are also college coaches: Ruby Rojas (Head Coach at Mt. SAC), Jose Ortega (Riverside College) and Crystal Aguirre (Fullerton College).

Here are some of the committed players on the Cal A’s team with comments from Coach Mendoza:

— C/3B Sarah Parten (2016, Maryland)
“Sarah Parten has been the definition of hard work and perseverance. She has dedicated herself to the game of softball not only on the field, but off the field as well. She has always had the talent, but learned to elevate her game by breaking down her skill set and preparing for every opportunity available to her.

— C/OF Heather Cameron  – Cerritos HS (2015, University of Hawaii)
“She is a hard worker and continues to push her limits. She will have success because she wants it that bad and will accept any challenge.”

— P Jennifer Iseri – Cerritos HS (2015, University of Hawaii)
“She is the complete package. Excels offensively/defensively and makes those around her better.”

— 1B/OF Jacqui Pasqual – Huntington Beach HS (2014, Seton Hall University)
“She is the type of player that comes in with her game face on. She is prepared and sets the tone with her intensity.”

— 3B/1B Mishael Poti – Fullerton HS (2015, Biola University)
“She is ready for the challenges that lie ahead of her. Competition brings out the beast in her, but knows how to play poised.”

***  The Illinois Chill Facebook page has announced that Stephanie Lombardo, a 2015 first baseman, has committed to Wisconsin.

Playing for New Berlin Eisenhower (Wisc.) last year as a sophomore, the six-foot-2 Lombardo led her team in average (.562), at bats (73), hits (41), home runs (eight), RBI (38), on-base average (.577) and slugging percentage (1.027).

*** And a big thanks to American Pastime for tweeting out a commit and letting us know… a great way to get mentioned on our site, by the way!

Updated Commitments Maddy Collins 2014 – MI/OF – San Francisco State @ SFSU Softball @SS_Softball @ EMSpeedandpower pic.twitter.com/1X89YqSetq

— PASTIME_SGV (@PASTIME_SGV) October 24, 2013

 

 

*****

EVENT PREVIEW: RISING STARS FALL SHOWCASE

It’s not often that club or high school fastpitch is televised so Friday is a big deal for fans of softball.

For the third straight year the CBS Sports Network will televise nationally two events live tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 25) from Central Park in Plantation, Fla.:

• TC Rising Stars 16U Elite Eight Championship (1 pm EST)
• All-American Game (immediately following the Elite Eight)

 

The Elite Eight

Using the National Club Rankings list, the 16U Elite Eight bracket features six teams ranked in the rankings’ top 100 and three in the top 20:

• No. 9 Impact Gold-Taylor (Texas)
• No. 15 Mizuno Storm-Beach (Ariz.)
• No. 20 Gold Coast Hurricanes (Fla.)
• No. 40 Jacksonville Storm-Palmer (Fla.)
• No. 70 Vienna Stars (Va.).
• No. 72 Houston Power Gold-Glowacz (Texas)
• No. 111 Birmingham Thunderbolts (Ala.)
• NR TC Tremors Gold (N.Y.)

Teams will play in a single elimination format starting on Friday at 8am, with the semifinals at 10am.  Winners will then face off on national television.

All-American Game

To appear in the All-American game, the 120 teams playing in the event were nominated by their club coach and then selected by the TC Rising Stars Selection Committee.

A total of 51 players representing 13 states made the cut and will play in a seven inning game.  This year’s All-American Game is centered around a Halloween theme, it will be the Wicked Web vs. the Monster Mash.

“This is arguably the most talented field of players we have ever selected for the game,” said Janette Rodriguez, TC Rising Stars Director.  “Not only will players get a chance to play in front of a national audience, but college coaches will also be on hand looking for future recruits.  This will be an experience these players will never forget.”

Thad Anderson (play-by-play) and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michele Smith (analyst) will be calling both games.  Amanda Scarborough, former Texas A&M pitcher, will be the Dugout Reporter offering insights and interviewing players and coaches.

Anderson, Smith and Judge will be live tweeting during the games and interact with fans who can tweet using #TCSports.

The events on CBS Sports Network are available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221and Dish Network Channel 158.

Fall Showcase, it is just one of many events featured this year.  In all, 120 teams representing 16 states will compete in three different age groups (16U A, 18U A, and 18U Gold).  The showcase-style format will give teams and players the opportunity to play in front of over 200 college coaches.

Besides the two televised games, the Rising Stars Fall Showcase in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. will have 120 teams competing at the 16U A, 18U A, and 18U Gold divisions from Friday through Sunday. Here’s a list of the 120 teams that will compete…

 

*****

EVENT PREVIEW: ST. LOUIS SHOWCASE

Another outstanding event this weekend will be the 16^th Annual St. Louis Softball Showcase sponsored by Schutt.

There will be 150 teams from 15 states competing—obviously ones from Missouri and a lot from Illinois too—but there are programs from as far away as Oregon coming this weekend.

It’s going to be in Chesterfield, Mo. and will be for 16U and 18U teams.

Below is a table with the teams sorted by state…

Team	ST	Level	Team Manager
Arkansas Phenix Gold	AR	Prem	Monty Littlefield
Arizona Lil Saints	AZ	Prem	Lance Dickson
AZ Killer Bees	AZ	16-U	Mike Kaff
AZ Suncats 98	AZ	16-U	Todd Judge
Eastern Iowa Barracudas Gold	IA	Prem	Steven R. Hull
I-Club Black	IA	Gold	David Streyffeler
I-Club Blue	IA	Gold	David Streyffeler
I-Club Crimson	IA	18-U	David Streyffeler
Iowa Blitz (JC)	IA	16-U	Joe Carter
Iowa Blitz Gold (DJ)	IA	Gold	Dave Jones
Iowa Slammers	IA	Gold	Mary Whitaker
S. E. Iowa Allstars-Blue	IA	Gold	Merle Miller
Southeast Iowa Hawks	IA	Gold	Greg Hale
Team Iowa Force	IA	16-U	Jen Slauson
Alton Flames	IL	18-U	Darin Rhoades
Bartlett Silver Hawks	IL	Prem	Brad Dennison
Beverly Bandits Conroy 18U	IL	Prem	Bill Conroy
Beverly Bandits DeMarini 14U	IL	16-U	Bill Conroy
Beverly Bandits DeMarini 18U	IL	Gold	Bill Conroy
Beverly Bandits Premier 14U	IL	16-U	Bill Conroy
Black Widows	IL	16-U	Greg Exton
BNGSA Storm	IL	18-U	Jeff Jones
Bulls Sox Academy (KY)	IL	16-U	Kathy Young
Chicago Out Burst (EM)	IL	Gold	Eileen Macey
Cubs Fastpitch Blue	IL	18-U	Baumgardner
Dirt Devils (MC)	IL	16-U	Michael Callans
Dirt Devils (MJ)	IL	Prem	Michael Jerman
Downers Grove Rebels	IL	18-U	John Biddle
DuPage Diamond Dawgs	IL	18-U	Conenna
Express Premier	IL	16-U	Daren Lowery
Extreme Elite (BS)	IL	18-U	Brett Swip
Extreme Elite (LM)	IL	16-U	McClelland
Extreme Elite Gold	IL	Prem	Muniz
Heatwave (CW)	IL	16-U	Weathersby
Heatwave (JE)	IL	18-U	Jeff Emricson
Homer Hawks	IL	Prem	Mark Perryman
Illinois Chill (BE)	IL	Prem	Brian Edwards
Illinois Chill (GN)	IL	16-U	Glen Nelson
Illinois Chill (GQ)	IL	Prem	Gerald T. Quinn
Illinois Force	IL	16-U	Scott Hutchinson
Illinois Hawks (BJ)	IL	16-U	Bill Judge
Illinois Hawks (JM)	IL	16-U	Mardarosian
Illinois Hawks (JS)	IL	16-U	John Steinhaus
Illinois Outlaws (CS)	IL	16-U	Shoemaker
Illinois Outlaws (GL)	IL	Prem	Gary Lagesse
Illinois Sluggers	IL	18-U	Dana Boehmer
Illinois Stars	IL	18-U	Tony Pusateri
Kane County Xplosion	IL	Gold	Mike Kuefler
Legends Fastpitch (LH)	IL	Gold	Laura Harms
Legends Fastpitch (SH)	IL	16-U	Steve Hull
Lemont Rockers (CN)	IL	16-U	Chris Najokis
Lemont Rockers (JF)	IL	Prem	Joe Caliendo
Lemont Rockers (OZ)	IL	18-U	Tod Osborne
Lemont Rockers (RC)	IL	16-U	Richie Costante
Midland Magic 96 Gold	IL	Gold	Greg Pennock
Midland Magic 97	IL	18-U	Jay Cole
Midland Magic 98	IL	18-U	Dale Shelton
Naperville Diamonds (PJ)	IL	Prem	Paul Johnson
Naperville Diamonds Matrix	IL	Gold	Tim Price
Nationals (KB)	IL	16-U	Kim Brzezinski
Nationals (LB)	IL	Gold	Larry Brzezinski
New Lenox Lightning (JA)	IL	16-U	Jim Abbott
New Lenox Lightning (LP)	IL	Gold	Lori Pych
Northern Ice 95	IL	Gold	Cray Allen
Northern Ice 97	IL	18-U	Rick Eklund
Oak Park Windmills (DG)	IL	18-U	Dave Golitko
Oak Park Windmills (JB)	IL	16-U	Josh Baer
Orland Park A's (NS)	IL	Prem	Nikki Schuch
Orland Park A's (SD)	IL	16-U	Sarah Douglas
Quad city Firebirds 98'	IL	16-U	Dana DeKeyrel
Southern Express 96	IL	Gold	Theron Rushing
Southern IL Dirt Dawgs	IL	18-U	Jill Beaver
Sparks Softball (JH)	IL	16-U	Jill Harvey
Sparks Softball (JT)	IL	Gold	Joe Tholl
Taylor Made Titans (JF)	IL	18-U	Joe Findlay
Taylor Made Titans (SF)	IL	18-U	Findlay
The Hitting Center	IL	16-U	Bill Seiders
Trevians	IL	18-U	Zuckerman
Wasco Diamonds (BM)	IL	Prem	Bill Morrow
Wasco Diamonds (JS)	IL	16-U	Jordan Smith
Wasco Diamonds (MS)	IL	16-U	Matt Schacht
Wasco Diamonds (SC)	IL	Gold	Steve Cihlar
Wheatland Spikes (KL)	IL	18-U	Ken Lanceman
Wheatland Spikes Elite	IL	18-U	Joel Willhalm
Xtreme Havoc	IL	18-U	Butch Woner
Indiana Prospects Gold	IN	Gold	Daniel Runge
Indiana Rebels	IN	18-U	Ken Crandol
Indiana Shockwaves (DT)	IN	Gold	Dale Tokarski
Indiana Shockwaves (SK)	IN	18-U	Scott Kleinbub
Indy Dreams (CB)	IN	Gold	Craig Bell
Indy Dreams (JM)	IN	16-U	Montgomery y
Indy Dreams (TM)	IN	Prem	Montgomery
Indy Dreams (WH)	IN	16-U	Bill Hackerd
Indy Edge	IN	16-U	John Wolff
Michiana Cruisers Gold	IN	Gold	Pete Gillis
Michiana Mystique	IN	18-U	Ted Zimmerman y
NWI Sox's	IN	16-U	Frank Yaeger
KC Peppers Gold	KS	Prem	Dan Eakin
Mac-N-Sietz Legacy	KS	Gold	Olivia Abney
Mac-N-Seitz Storm	KS	Gold	Mike Macfarlane
Olathe Rockets (TM)	KS	16-U	Tony Meyers
Olathe Rockets Gold (GL)	KS	Gold	Greg Loveless
Team Kansas Gold	KS	Prem	Mark Ingle
Kentucky Mustangs	KY	16-U	Mike Bowlds
Louisville Lady Sluggers (CJ)	KY	16-U	Chelsea Jordan
Louisville Lady Sluggers (DD)	KY	Prem	Don Dobina
Louisville Lady Sluggers (LR)	KY	16-U	Lou Ridolfi
Louisville Stunners Elite	KY	18-U	Kenny Hinkley
Michigan Batbuster Black	MI	16-U	Swinehart
Esprit (AH)	MO	Prem	Andy Heifner
Esprit (JH)	MO	Prem	Jim Huecker
Heartland Travelers	MO	18-U	Ben Proffer, Jr
Kansas City Glory	MO	16-U	David Heide
KC Athletics	MO	16-U	Leon Cretel
Missouri Fury 97	MO	16-U	Mike Stocker
Missouri Heat (CC)	MO	18-U	Craig Copeland
Missouri Rattlers (AB)	MO	16-U	Alan Bunch
Missouri Rattlers (GE)	MO	Gold	Gary Ennis
Missouri Stealth (AN)	MO	16-U	Aaron Newton
Missouri Stealth 96	MO	18-U	Brett Patton
Missouri Stealth Gold	MO	Gold	Greg Logsdon
Originals (BG)	MO	16-U	Brad Shanks
Originals (JK)	MO	18-U	James Koop
Originals (LS)	MO	18-U	Lindsay Sharp
Originals Gold (CB)	MO	Prem	Chad Bernholtz
Originals (SM)	MO	18-U	Stacey Moore
St. Louis Chaos	MO	16-U	Mike Wise
St. Louis Diamond Cats	MO	16-U	Neil Seltzs
St. Louis Fusion (JK)	MO	Gold	John Kedroski
St. Louis Gamers	MO	Prem	Nicole Krodinger
St. Louis Illusions	MO	18-U	Ira Bergman
St. Peters Royals	MO	18-U	Bob Wesling
STL Academy Gold	MO	18-U	Scott Sullivan
STL Academy Platinum	MO	16-U	Scott Sullivan
Team Power	MO	Gold	Steve Zahn
Team Power 97	MO	16-U	Jim Brown
Echoes Elite Gold	NE	Gold	Tony Larry
Nebraska Gold	NE	Prem	Travis Meyer
Cincy Doom Gold	OH	Gold	Tim Gregory
Team Oklahoma	OK	Gold	Shawn Russell
Tulsa Eagles	OK	16-U	Tommy Rogers
Tulsa Elite (RB)	OK	Gold	Roy Bogle
Oregon Panthers (JB)	OR	Gold	Jorge Banuelos
Oregon Panthers (RC)	OR	16-U	Rachel Conard
Tennessee Illusions	TN	16-U	Tonia Martin
Vienna Stars	VA	Prem	Tony Rollins
Kenosha Cyclones (16)	WI	16-U	Amanda Pollitt
Kenosha Cyclones (18)	WI	18-U	Amanda Pollitt
WI Lightning Black (AG)	WI	16-U	Alex Grossi
WI Lightning Black (SH)	WI	Gold	Scott Hermes

 

 

*****

 

If you’d like to submit information, forward to brentt@studentsports.com.  Also, follow us on twitter at @SS_Softball.