One of the goals for Full Count Softball in 2015 – call it one of our New Year’s Resolutions! – is to try and cover more of the younger ages in addition to our older division coverage.

So, don’t be surprised to see team profiles like this one on the 12U team out of Kentucky that has a lot of promising young talent as part of the strong Louisville Lady Sluggers organization.

The team is led by Joe Hull and if that name sounds familiar it’s because he has a 2015 daughter, Alexis, who is a Hot 100 catcher signed with South Carolina (earlier this month we profiled her amazing missionary trip to Haiti in December).

We got with Coach Hull recently to find out more about the history and culture of his team and learn more about his players… here’s the profile:

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FullCountSoftball.com: When did the Lady Slugger organization start as well as your young team?
Joe Hull: The Louisville Lady Slugger Organization was founded over 20 years ago by Don Dobina. It is regarded as the premier fastpitch travel softball organization in the state of Kentucky and competes on a national stage year after year. The Lady Sluggers 03 – Hull team is in its second year of existence and in that short time has proven it can compete with anyone in the nation.

FCS.com: Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)
JH: We are based out of Louisville, Ky. and have girls from all over the state of Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.

FCS.com: What was the purpose of creating the team, was it primarily to showcase players, win titles, develop skills or for other reasons?
JH: The purpose of creating this team was to recruit players that all had the desire to compete at the highest level by playing the best teams regionally and nationally. All of our girls have the desire to play college softball, so it is our goal to expose them to this environment as early on in their young career as possible.

FCS.com: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
JH: Last season, the Lady Sluggers ‘03 had a very successful 10U record of 96-28-1 and played up in three 12U tournaments as well. We tied for 13^th place at the 10U ASA/USA Nationals in Johnson City, Tenn.

FCS.com: What makes the organization unique do you think?
JH: What makes the Sluggers ’03 unique is we are the only 12U team in Kentucky that competes at the level we do. We are traveling to California this summer to compete in the PGF 12U Nationals. We have established relationships with some really great people in the travel ball community and when the question arises about who are the top teams by region, the Sluggers ‘03 are a name in that discussion.

FCS.com: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
JH: My softball coaching career actually began in 2003/2004 when I began coaching my oldest daughter Alexis, in baseball. She quickly entered the travel ball world where we competed in and won many national and showcase tournaments. Having gone through the entire recruiting process with Alexis, I have a better understanding with what every one of the Slugger ‘03 girls need to do in order to accomplish the same goal. This experience is reflected in the current success of the Lady Sluggers ’03. My youngest daughter Riley is currently on the Sluggers ’03, team and started on the 10U Sluggers (where I was an assistant coach) as an 8U player after we moved to Louisville in 2012. She was the only 03 left on the team when it was time for the ‘02 age group to move up, so I stayed down to create a complete team of ’03 players.

FCS.com: How many teams are there in the organization overall?
JH: Currently there are close to 10 Sluggers teams in various age groups.

FCS.com: Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
JH: I think the defining moment was in the spring of 2014 when we participated in the Turf Wars tournament in Birmingham, Ala. The entire fall of 2013 and winter months of 2014 we trained to compete against the best teams of the South, but had not been tested yet.   We traveled to Alabama and did exactly what we had hoped to do. With a big win over the Georgia Impact ‘03 in a night game and very close and hard fought losses to the Texas Impact Gold ’03 – Applebe, Birmingham Thunderbolts ’03, and the EC Bullets ’03, we quickly realized we had something special.

FCS.com: What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
JH: My primary goal for this team is to teach them how to win and lose at the highest level as a team. There are so many life lessons that can be taught through this amazing sport that our girls will be able to use throughout their entire life.

FCS.com: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
JH: The strengths of our team are mostly that we are learning how to be a true team. Our practices are intense. What these girls go through, together, is nothing short of amazing. We are very strong in the pitching and catching department with our overall defense improving by the day. We have a lot of great young hitters in our lineup that are learning how to step up and be that clutch hitter that we need them to be. Our parents are very dedicated and this is a big key to our success.

FCS.com: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
JH: I would say the one thing that separates us from other clubs (especially in our area) is our dedication to seeking out the best competition and our desire to compete against anyone. Slugger ’03 girls have the work ethic and heart to accomplish anything they set their mind to!

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Here’s a look at the Louisville Sluggers 03 team with comments on each player by Coach Hull:

— SS/UT Allyson Alexander (2012, uncommitted)
“Allyson is arguably one of the best shortstops across the nation in her class. Her footwork and athleticism, accompanied with a cannon for an arm, makes her a defensive machine. She is a lefty power hitter who helps lead the Sluggers offensively. Allyson is also a phenomenal golfer as well. ”

— 3B/C/OF Kayley Batts (2022, uncommitted)
“Kayley plays third base for us and is a tremendously hard worker. She is a force to be dealt with on the basketball court as well. Kayley and her family are die-hard Louisville Cardinal fans, too. She hits for average and is improving her power hitting abilities.”

— 2B/OF Kinsley Blackfox (2021, uncommitted)
“Kinsley is new to our team and year and we are very glad to have her. She is a dangerous hitter as she can slap, drop a perfect bunt and hit for power. She is one of two Tennessee players on our team and comes from Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Kinsley has an infectious smile and attitude that makes her a lot of fun to be around. She will play second base and see some outfield duty this year.”

— CF Jenna Blanton (2021, uncommitted)
“Jenna is the other Tennessee product on our team, she’s from Lewisburg, Tenn. She is our player with lightning speed and is a slapper, but can also lace one out to the green. Once on the bases, she will cause havoc for any defense out there. Jenna will be the captain of the outfield as she will assume the duties of center fielder. She understands the true meaning of “team” and “family” as she is the youngest of eight children!”

— 1B/C Isabelle Gerlach (2022, uncommitted)
“Belle is our first baseman and catcher as well. She comes from Corydon, Ind. and is one of three from outside Kentucky who play on the team. Belle is a great young lady who is constantly striving to be the best player possible. She hits for average and has all the makings to be a power hitter. She is a multi-sport athlete who plays soccer and basketball too.”

— P/UT Kiersten Grimes (2021, uncommitted)
“Kiersten comes from Western Kentucky and is a very strong left-handed pitcher. She has a great attitude and works very hard. She also has the potential to hit for power. This will be an awesome year for Kiersten as she will continue to grow as a pitcher by playing against the high level competition we will be facing. She loves to go hunting for waterfowl and this past fall got her first deer.”

— C/UT Riley Hull (2021, uncommitted)
“Riley has worn the Slugger uniform since 2012 and has been our rock behind the plate since then. She is an aggressive catcher constantly challenging baserunners. Riley is a true “Slugger” as she is a lefty power hitter capable of going deep and running the bases with a “No Fear” attitude. She is a great student on and off the field and spends countless hours weekly working on her swing.”

— P/2B/OF Macy Krohman (2021, uncommitted)
“Macy leads the Sluggers 03 pitching staff and does a great job in the circle with a mixture of pitches. She goes hard and gives 100 percent effort all of the time. When not pitching, she plays second base for us and has amazing range. Macy is a power hitter capable of hitting the long ball at any time. Last year, as a 5^th grader, she was the starting second baseman for her Simon Kenton High softball team! ”

— P/Utility Ashby Murt (2021, uncommitted)
Ashby just recently became a member of the Slugger family. She is a very determined pitcher who will complement our pitching staff very nicely. Ashby has a great bat and believes nothing takes the place of hard work and discipline. She will be a utility player for us as well.”

— OF/IF Kyndal Tinnell (2021, uncommitted)
“Kyndal is one of the biggest and strongest girls on the team and we are impressed with how well she moves to track a ball. She plays right field for us and will see some innings on the dirt as well. This will be her first year wearing the Red and Black and we are thankful to have her. Kyndal hits for power from the left side and has really enjoyed becoming a Slugger.”