Today’s team spotlight takes us to Northern California where we look at a 16U team that’s moved up through the age divisions and is poised for success this summer. This Grapettes team, one of 12 teams in the organization, went 9-2-1 at two strong tournaments last fall and has a lot of talent that will be getting noticed this year, particularly in the 2017 class…

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FloSoftball: When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Chris Kappmeyer: The California Grapettes Softball organization was formed in 1988 as ASA Junior Olympic Girls Fastpitch Softball began to grow in the Central Valley of California.  The organization was established to provide talented and dedicated players with an opportunity to play competitive softball following the completion of the high school season.  Our teams, in all age divisions, are some of the most successful teams throughout California and the United States.  From 10 & Under through 18 Gold, our teams travel each season to compete in the very best tournaments and showcases. The California Grapettes have helped hundreds of players successfully secure scholarships to many universities throughout the United States.  I became a part to the organization in the fall of 2009 to coach a 10U team and have coached through 12U, 14U and now into the 16U division with the organization.

FS: Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)
CK: We are based in the Central Valley of Northern California. Our team has girls from all over Northern California and Nevada.

FS: What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?
CK: The purpose of this team is to qualify for and compete for a PGF, Triple Crown and ASA National Championships while showcasing the team’s extremely talented unsigned 2016-2019 student-athletes! All of our girls have aspirations to play softball at the collegiate level.

FS: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
CK: We had a great fall (2014) with this group at the 16U Surf City showcase events as well as playing locally (NorCal) in the 18U division. We were 3-1-1 in the Surf City October showcase and 6-1 in the Surf City Pre-Thanksgiving Showcase playing against some of the country’s best teams with rosters loaded with talented verballed players. We were able to add a few key players over the winter to give us depth and athleticism at all positions. This is hands-down the best team I have ever had!

FS: What makes the organization unique?
CK: The California Grapettes is one of the oldest softball organizations in Northern California. A majority of the original leadership is still on the Board.

FS: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
CK: I started as a rec ball volunteer coach in 2005 coaching my first-born daughter’s (Kayla) team. In 2009 I joined the California Grapettes and have been with the organization ever since. I have been the head coach of 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U teams. I have also been a guest coach on our 18 Gold team.

FS: How many teams are there in the organization overall?
CK: There are 12 teams total: 3 at 18U; 2 at 16U; 3 at 14U; 3 at 12U and 1 at 10U.

FS: Is there one defining trait of your team?
CK: I would say the overall loyalty of all the players and parents involved in building this team. Everyone trusts the process, believes in the system and the girls have great chemistry and character. We added some tremendous athletes to an already great team and the culture is phenomenal.

FS: What are your goals with this team?
CK: To compete with the best teams in the country, showcase the team’s tremendous athleticism and talent, play the game the right way, be respected by our opponents regardless of the games’ outcome, have fun, make some unforgettable memories and get these girls verballed to the next level.

FS: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
CK: I honestly feel that this team does not have any holes. We have depth and diversity at pitching, catching, infield and outfield.  We have leadership, a mental IQ of the game, some speedy/table setters, big bats and line-to-line hitters.  Our defense is stout and we run the bases well.

FS: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
CK: Family, culture, character, focus, attitude, communication and effort are what we preach as a coaching staff and as a team.  Our team has girls that have been here for multiple seasons and have been in numerous “battles” together. I feel that our “family and team first” atmosphere will be a catalyst for competing on the national stage.

FS: Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization?
CK: I feel that we are a goldmine of 2017 unsigned/verballed talent! All these kids could make major impacts in on college teams.

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Here are comments on each player of the California Grapettes – Kappmeyer team from Head Coach Chris Kappmeyer…

— OF/2B Haley Boyd  (2017, uncommitted)
“I have known Haley since she was nine years old. She is a great outfielder and lefty bat. I’m looking for her to provide some lefty power/hit behind the runners in the middle/bottom half of the line up.  She’s a great line-to-line hitter and forces defenses to make plays.”

— OF/2B Reagan Hubbard  (2016, uncommitted)
“Reagan just joined our team for the Summer 2015 season and commutes three hours one way from Reno (Nev.) to be with our team. She is a tremendous athlete that can hit the ball 250 feet or drop a bunt for a hit. She will compete for a starting spot in our outfield as well as contribute with pinch hit at-bats and pinch running situations.”

— SS/2B Brianna Ibarra  (2017, uncommitted)
“Brianna has played with me since 12U.  At 4-foot-10, it is hard to miss her making plays. She is a quiet leader that can hit the ball out of the park, bunt, run and flat out makes plays. When she’s on the field everyone is aware of her presence. She will play middle infield and bat first or second in our line up.”

— CF/UT Katie Juarez (2018, uncommitted)
“Katie made some guest appearances in the fall and joined us for the 2015 summer season. She is a tremendous athlete and competitor and a kid that shows up to compete and get better each time out. Katie could probably play anywhere on the field, she is that good. Our team had a need at centerfield and she quickly filled it with her leadership, attitude, effort, energy and athleticism.  She can hit for average and power and is an exceptional base runner. Katie will bat in the middle of our line up.”

— 1B/OF Kayla Kappmeyer (2017, uncommitted)
“Kayla re-joined the team this winter after playing 18 Gold ball last year. She has the ability to hit line-to-line for power, slap and bunt and is a great contact hitter who always puts the ball in play. She has above average speed, a great understanding of the slap game and a high softball IQ in general. She reads defenses very well and quite simply gets on base.  Once on base, Kayla is a smart base runner always looking to exploit defenses and take two bases. She will be our starting first baseman with above average athleticism and stellar defense on the corner. She will also bat first or second in our line up and provide us a calming, experienced approach to the plate.”

— 2B/UT Chloe Koll (2019, uncommitted)
“Chloe is our youngest rostered girl but plays well beyond her years. She has played with me for a year now and developed into our starting second baseman although she can play some short and outfield as well. Chloe is a hard working, coachable kid who hits line-to-line with power and can field and run with the best of them. She has provided stability and predictability at second base and will bat in the bottom of our line up.”

— C/3B Alanah Laupua (2017, uncommitted)
“Alanah joined our team this spring and has made an immediate impact. She is a great catcher/third baseman and has quickly earned the respect of her coaches and peers. Alanah is a fierce competitor who keeps runners at bay and has opposing pitchers wondering what to throw her to get her out. She will be our starting catcher and will bat third or fourth in our line-up.”

— 3B/UT Sydnee Machado (2017, uncommitted)
“Sydnee is a coaches dream! She’s a hardworking, no-nonsense, blue-collar athlete who commands the most from everyone around her (including her coaches). She is also a tremendous athlete and competitor and a kid that shows up to compete and get better each time out. Sydnee can play anywhere on the field but is our starting third baseman/shortstop. Her leadership, attitude, effort, energy and approach to the game are contagious.  She can hit for average and power and is an exceptional base runner. Sydnee will bat in the top/middle of our line-up.”

— P/1B Taliyah Miles  (2017, uncommitted)
“Taliyah has played with me for three seasons and has developed into our No. 1 pitcher and 3-4 hitter. She is a hardworking lefty pitcher/bat that commands that mound and the batter’s box with a confident and physical presence. She has come up big with clutch pitching and hitting performances against some of the best teams in the country. A legit five-pitch pitcher with spin and command, Taliyah will get the ball in all the big games and will bat 3-4 in our line up with the ability to clear the bases in every at bat.”

— OF/2B Bailee Nickelson  (2016, uncommitted)
Bailee just joined us for the summer season and makes the three-hour one way commute from Reno to compete on our team. She is a great athlete that approaches the game with a high level of focus and blue-collar work ethic. She is extremely coachable and always working to get better. Bailee is an absolute terror on the bases and brings a nice three tool lefty bat to the plate. She will compete for starts in the outfield and at second base and will bat in the rollover spot in our line up.”

— P/OF Danielle Reyes  (2017, uncommitted)
Danielle has played for me for three seasons. A loyal player and teammate who does all the little things behind the scenes to help out and never asks for credit. She will give us spot pitching starts and relief pitching appearances and will compete for outfield playing time. In the outfield Danielle tracks balls well and has a strong throwing arm. When pitching her “nasty” change up will surely keep teams off balance and give us some much needed relief innings.”

— P/OF Alexandria Romanov (2017, uncommitted)
“Ya Ya” joined us for the summer season and instantly made noise with her athleticism. She has a “nasty” screwball and really commands the strike zone when pitching. At the plate she has a great approach and seems to always “barrel up” the ball. She has a great attitude and when not pitching or hitting also adds value in the outfield and on the bases as a pinch runner. Her teammates and coaches love her and she will be a key contributor to this team in numerous departments.”

— OF Vanessa Speakman  (2017, uncommitted)
“Vanessa has been with me for two seasons now and is coach’s dream. A hardworking, blue collar and highly coachable kid that always expects the most from herself and teammates and commands respect from all around her. She is the loudest girl in the dugout and on the field. She will compete for a corner outfield spot as well as a spot in the bottom of our line up where she can provide high quality at bats and some power.”

— OF Bry’Anna Weekly  (2018, uncommitted)
“Bry has played for me for one season now. She is a great outfielder that can go get a ball. Bry will contribute to the team in the outfield, in the bottom of the line up and on the bases as a pinch runner. She has developed a great eye and approach to the plate which will help her move the line and roll over the top of the line up from the 8-9 spots. Her three tool lefty skills, speed and quickness are sure to cause defenses problems.”

— C/UT Kaylee White (2017, uncommitted)
“Kaylee has played for me for one year and is a strong athlete and pleasure to have. She has tremendous athleticism, strength and stamina. She is very coachable and works hard every time out. Kaylee will contribute much-needed innings at catcher with her strong arm as well as provide DH and/or pinch hit line to line home run power. She will bat in the middle of our line up, make pinch hitting appearances and run the bases.”

— P/3B Katrina Winterburn (2017, uncommitted)
“Katrina joined the team over the winter after playing 18 Gold ball last year. Katrina’s care free and light humored attitude compliment our dugout and style well. She always smiling and keeping things in perspective. Katrina can pitch, hit, field, run and throw. When she’s not commanding the mound with serious inning time she will be contributing in another department. She will give us the much-needed 1-2 punch teams need to compete deep into nationals bracket play. When not pitching she will see some time at 3rd base as well as DH and pinch hit appearances.”