FC Highlights

Firecracker Alumni Series: Robyn Stenerson (Walker)

I first met Tony when I was 10 years old when one of my teammates mentioned this hitting coach that she had previously worked with, she said he was pretty good, so I thought why not give it a try for a lesson or two – his name was Tony Rico (at that point, Tony’s primary focus was on baseball, but that would soon change). During my weekly lessons, Tony would, of course, work with me on various hitting skills, but he would also teach me about the game in general (learning from Tony was like listening to a color commentator for a baseball game – Tony provided a unique insight into the game, all of which helped mold me into the player I became). Because I enjoyed my lessons with Tony so much, I highly recommended him to all of my teammates and before I knew it, Tony was an assistant coach with the Firecrackers.

Although I didn’t finish my travel ball years with the Firecrackers (I played for Gordon’s Panthers for my last three) and therefore didn’t experience the recruiting process as a Firecracker, my time with the Firecrackers certainly helped shape me as a player. My experiences during the recruiting process, playing at Stanford and time after softball taught me some valuable lessons and I’ve included three of my favorites below:

-Know What You Want and Go After It – If your recruiting experience is anything like mine, you’ll be fortunate enough to be recruited by numerous schools across the country, each with something different to offer. It can certainly be overwhelming at times, so it helps tremendously if you’ve already thought about the type of school you want to go to (big or small), geography (including close to home or far from home), maybe even a particular conference that you want to play for. If you know what you want, then focus on those schools during the recruiting process, don’t waste your time and theirs by dragging things along with schools that you’re not interested in (see lesson 2 below). At 17 you may not have all of the answers, that’s partly what recruiting trips are for, so at the very least, try to think of things you definitely don’t want in a school in order to narrow the list and make your choice a little easier.

For me, academics were the most important because I knew that I wasn’t going to make a career out of playing softball, instead softball was going to be my stepping stone to a career. Softball was going to give me the opportunity to get into a great school, graduate with no debt and set me up for life with my diploma. I took recruiting trips to Michigan, Northwestern, Notre Dame and Stanford, and eventually signed with Stanford. At the time, Stanford was an up and coming program, so I realized that I may be sacrificing an opportunity to play for a national championship (although I was going to do everything in my power to help change that), but I knew that having a degree from Stanford would open up a lot of doors when it came time to choose a career. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an extremely competitive person and never like losing, but in my opinion, a diploma from Stanford was worth more to me than a national championship (we actually played in the Women’s College World Series my junior year and finished third, and guess what, I couldn’t even tell you who won that year).

-Remember It’s Business, It’s Not Personal – I have always been a very agreeable person, never wanting to make waves or disappoint anyone, so during my correspondence or conversations with certain college coaches, I had a hard time saying “no” if I wasn’t interested in their school. Until one day when one of my coaches reminded me that this is a business, it’s not personal. Coaches may be disappointed for a short time after experiencing rejection from a prospect, but they’ll get over it, experiencing rejection is part of their job. Being honest from the beginning is good for both you and the coach because it means that neither of you are wasting your time/efforts doing the song and dance for a school that you know that you’ll never choose. In the end, a coach will (or at least should) respect you for making the decision and allowing them the opportunity to focus their efforts on prospects that they do have a chance of landing. If a coach ever makes you feel guilty for not choosing their school, then you probably made a good choice.

-Use It or Lose It – By this I mean be proud of your accomplishment of playing collegiate softball and use it to your advantage. I can’t tell you how many times my having played softball at Stanford came up in job interviews – there aren’t a lot of people that can include something like this on a resume and employers eat it up. (Don’t overdo it on your resume though, make sure to include other accomplishments so you look like a well-rounded candidate). If you take a step back and think about it, playing sports at such a high level is a great education in and of itself – where else do you learn teamwork, dedication, perseverance, time management, etc. – and a perfect foundation to build a successful career.

Robin (Walker) Stenerson

by Firecrackers Inc

2019 NLI Signing Begins

Yesterday kicked of the NLI signing period for college bound seniors and congratulatory celebrations were featured across the country.

Many high schools and travel softball organizations threw highlighted the event with large group celebrations , while other signees kept it intimidate and low key. No matter how you chose to mark this special moment we want to congratulate you for your years of hard work and patience to get here. We recognize others that are still waiting for their opportunity and we want to stand by you and encourage you to continue pursuing your dreams, your time will come. There is a lot of softball left to play.

Out here at Firecracker headquarters we celebrated the accomplishments of a tremendous group of So Cal signees as they gathered with friends, family, teammates, and coaches to commemorate this special day.   Firecracker president, Tony Rico, addressed those in attendance and said of the occasion, "We first have to thank Robyn Ferris for coordinating another great event for our seniors. This event started about 8 years ago and we are honored again to have another great turnout for our class of 2019 seniors. There were approx 50 young ladies who attended with their parents to experience this special night together filled with music, fun and lifetime friends."

It was truly an incredible evening and we look forward to watching you finish out your high school and travel ball careers with lighter shoulders and fire in your heart.

by Firecrackers Inc

BBFC- Working Towards the Future

The unprecedented move to unite the two largest softball organizations in the country has begun. Mentioning Firecrackers and Batbusters in the same sentence almost feels unnatural unless you’re talking about championship-type play, but for Batbusters and Firecrackers presidents, Mike Stith and Tony Rico, a shared vision made the conversation a lot easier than anticipated.

To best understand the gravity of this joint venture you’d have to understand the history of these two organizations. The Firecrackers began their rise back in 1990 while the Batbusters were formed a decade prior, in 1979. This was a time of very few recruiting opportunities, no showcases, no friendlies, and a monopoly of the best players playing on a handful of teams. The best of the best were consistent and always clashed on the biggest of stages. The Batbusters and Firecrackers were there, year in and year out. As the game has evolved so have the organizations, their leaders, and their leaders’ visions for the future of softball.

With a historically competitive relationship, these two powerhouses had no real interest in a “friendship,” but with the ongoing shifts in softball’s cultural tides, an invitation to meet  up was extended. Like many great “meetings of the minds,” it began at lunch.  Being the two largest and fastest growing organizations, Tony and Mike connected with intent to share thoughts on their roles as heads of these organizations and to be a sounding board for each other and their growing brands.

Neither expected the almost immediate synergy they would feel. The connection was there, the communication was great, and there was buy-in amongst their organizations coaching staffs. It became very apparent that the two are stronger as a combined unit and it wasn’t long before they started to explore the possibilities of how to best move their respective organizations, along with their families, in the right direction, for the right reasons.

The Mission of BBFC is simple: “Our mission is to combine the success of our organizations and provide a new standard of softball events for our players, teams, and communities.”

The BBFC Events are designed to provide the best possible experience for the players, starting with particular attention to the family needs. Firecrackers President, Tony Rico, says, “We want to restore balance and help guide our teams. We are looking forward to the players feeling what this mission is all about and joining us in thinking outside the box.”

The first of two scheduled BBFC Events, the Southern California Showcase, kicks off this weekend at Rosetta Canyon Park in Lake Elsinore, CA. The Space Coast Experience in Viera Beach, FL will take place this December 1-2.

For full BBFC Event details visit the website at www.BBFCEvents.com

https://youtu.be/RhDGfHR9ZgM

by Firecrackers Inc

PGF Begins Today- FC Open House Monday!

The final push of the 2018 championship season is here and an astounding 37 Firecracker teams will be represented over two weeks at the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships beginning today.

Week One will feature the 18U Premier and Platinum, 12U Premier and Platinum, and 10U Premier divisions while Week Two will host the 16U and 14U Premier and Platinum divisions. Double elimination bracket play begins Monday, July 23rd. For the full schedule of events you can visit the Week One and Week Two links on the PGF website or click here.

While you're in town be sure to check out the Firecracker warehouse and gear store! There will be an open house following opening ceremonies Monday, July 23rd and Monday July 30th. Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet some of your fellow Firecrackers and possibly walk away with some FC swag! Hope to see you there!

Location: 18211 Enterprise Lane Ste E, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Time: 6:30-8:00pm

by Firecrackers Inc

Firecracker Alumni Series: Kelly Ramsey

What’s in Your Toolbelt?

By: Kelly Meilstrup #33 (formerly Kelly Ramsey)

Hands down the most important thing about playing in the Firecracker organization is the opportunity to fill your metaphorical toolbelt for life. The college scholarship is huge but it won’t matter if you don’t have the tools to navigate it. The National Championships are hard-earned and well-deserved, but, your future employer won’t care about the trophy though may be interested in the tools that you got to that final game.

So, my advice from one Firecracker to another, pay attention, and fill your tool belt, your 30 something self will thank you.

Loyalty

I was 15 years old, my 16 and under softball team had just broken up after a below expectation performance at ASA Nationals in Midland Texas. Lucky for me the Firecrackers with Tony Rico and Gary Wardein were undergoing a post-nationals transition as well. I showed up at Los Amigos High School in the fall of 1995 for a try-out; a week later I was officially a Firecracker on the organization’s first 18-Gold Firecracker team.

Four weeks later I tore my MCL playing high school volleyball and was out for 6 months. I remember feeling so anxious about what would happen next, I thought the Firecrackers would reasonably move on to another outfield/catcher/utility player. I felt sad about having to find another team, recognizing all the potential that the Firecrackers offered.

But, I was wrong to worry. The Firecrackers did not hesitate; they encouraged me to get healthy and stronger for the spring. The Firecrackers provided me with my first tool, in my otherwise standard and empty 15-year-old tool belt, they gave me loyalty. Within the first few months of being a Firecracker, they showed me that if I was willing to put in the work and buy into the Firecracker mentality, they would stick by me. I was all in.

Poise and Composure

To this day my mother still repeats Tony Rico’s words “poise and composure, got to have poise and composure Kelly.” Tony coached us on poise and composure at every single practice and every game, over and over we talked about poise and composure.

Poise and composure translates to the softball field as hustle on and off the field no matter how successful or detrimental the inning was, keeping your head high when you lose, and staying within yourself when dominating the competition. Every player needs poise and composure because it is this tool in combination with hard work that will pull you out of a slump, get you back on track when you keep making the same defensive error.  Poise and composure is the tool that helps you appear in control, even though you may not be. 

As an attorney, a mother, and a wife I reach for my poise and composure tool often. It’s the tool that reminds you to put aside the emotions and deal with the issues. It is the tool that builds your professional reputation as reasonable and one who uses common sense as opposed to emotional reaction.

Grit-Fearless-Battle

Two outs, winning run on second, tying run on third, I am up to bat, against a dominating pitcher (who was better than I was) and the emotions were high against this rival team. Tony Rico would yell from the coaches box to: “battle”, “get in the box and battle”, “hack at the pitches”, and “stay alive.” I battled, it wasn’t pretty, I some how got the bat around on a flaming inside pitch, the ball dribbled off the handle of the bat, and dropped in behind third base where the grass meets the dirt about three inches fair. The baserunners were running with two outs and the Firecrackers won the emotional game.

Being in this situation as a 16-year-old, regardless of the result, teaches grit and how to be fearless. I think about this tool when I start a jury trial. I feel the emotions and tell myself to be fearless and dig in. I pulled this tool out when I decided to start my own business thinking if I go for it and battle who knows what could happen.

This tool is a special one because those high stress scenarios are hard to re-create for the average teenager you certainly don’t develop this tool by sitting on the couch and not putting yourself out there. But, every time you are in the thick of it, your grit-fearless-battle tool gets more refined and trust me, you will use it in your later life.

Get Along with the Team

To get along with your team simply makes things easier. When the team is not getting along everything from getting to the field, stretching, playing catch, supporting each other is a grind. My memories from all my teams were that we got along, not to say we were all best friends, we weren’t, there were teammates that I was really close with, but

we all got along. Then, when the team loves each other, trusts each other, a different level of ease, enjoyment, and success can happen. Fact is, you and your parents commit so much time to the Firecrackers, the practices, games, tournaments that to love the people you are around makes it all worth it, makes the lifetime memories.

As an attorney I work on teams and with prosecutors all the time. I am not the smartest lawyer in the room but I get along and pride myself on playing well with others. This tool can only be developed by playing on teams and making it work.

Preparation

For me, preparation is this simple, in travel ball, if I didn’t do my tee-work, throw the ball around, and take some grounders the week before the game I felt less confident and had doubts about my abilities and decisions. When I feel less confident I am more likely to make mistakes. But, if I put the work in, I felt confident and was in a better position to succeed and even if I didn’t succeed, I did not doubt myself for the next time because I was feeling prepared.

In college, practice is forced upon your schedule. So you are automatically putting the time in, but preparation got more complicated, it wasn’t about going through the motions it was about engaging and making the most of every swing and every repetition. That focus is exhausting but, nobody said this was going to be easy.

It is the same way for me when I go to court, if I am prepared for an argument I am confident and comfortable with the resolution. But, if I am unprepared, I am less confident and if the resolution does not go my way I wonder if it would have been different with more preparation.

Start with putting the time in. Then, advance to making that time effective and focused.

Self-recognition

Who are you? Be somebody. I was the kind of player that was good, not great, I was steady, always started, had respectable stats, and in the top of the lineup. I wanted to hit the ball up the middle like Tony Gwynn from the Padres, not over the fence. I wasn’t motivated by awards or recognition. I remember when my college coach called to tell me I made third team All-American my sophomore year, I think my surprised 19 year old self said “that’s cool”, declined going to the ceremony, and went back to eating dinner casually with my parents.

But, I was also an over thinker and could put myself in defensive slumps, creating unnecessary tension. I liked hitting because I knew I was only supposed to hit the ball 3 out of 10 times but with defense, perfection was expected and that didn’t always sit well with me. I played outfield and liked it out there, the big throws, the long runs. I also caught and sometimes, depending on where I was mentally, didn’t like the involvement in every play. In college in addition to outfield and catcher, I played third base and first base; sometimes the quick reaction was well suited for me other times I mentally made myself stiff and slow reacting. Knowing who you are is knowing weaknesses just as much as strengths. What do you as a player need to excel?

As a team member I was supportive. I wanted everyone to do well. I didn’t care who was the game hero was. Some could say I got over losses quicker than my teammates. I remember learning early that caring doesn’t mean crying (perhaps my own interpretation of poise and composure). In college I developed into more of a leader, named captain my sophomore, junior and senior year. I loved this responsibility because I felt I could make a major contribution to the mentality and atmosphere of the team and I wanted things to be fun and high energy.

I never defined myself as a softball player, it was just something I did that I was good at; more importantly, it was an avenue that, through the Firecrackers, allowed me to build my toolbelt. Knowing the type of player you are and want to be, will contribute directly to knowing who you are as a mother, wife, and a professional.  I remember a judge mentor advising me not to copy other attorneys’ style, be you, and your strategic decisions will come naturally.

Independence

This tool became necessary as I started out on my recruiting trips without my parents and without my coaches to remind constantly of manners, poise and composure. On one hand, you are 17-years-old,  basically a young puppy free for the weekend. But, you are also a representative of your team. Don’t forget in the same way you are getting a feel for the school they are also getting a feel for you.

Then, comes the time to make the decision of which school you pick. This is a big decision for any junior in high school. I chose University of North Carolina because it was the best academic school I visited and that was most important to me for the big picture. I loved the culture of the school and the strength of the athletic department. I could tell my coach meant what she said and that she would care for me as a person and a player. The program was not crazy competitive, there was room to grow and contribute immediately. It was a good fit.

Then, college ball actually starts: the weights, conditioning, practices, academics and travel, how are you going to be? Entitled? Hard-working? A baby? A leader? A team player? An excuse maker? A quitter? This is where you hope you have the tools for the job; or, at least, the ability to develop the tools. My toolbelt is full thanks to my experiences with the Firecrackers, but, it is not complete, my toolbelt continues to grow as life presents new projects.

by Firecrackers Inc

WCWS Action Begins This Thursday!

After an exciting super regional weekend, the scene is set for the 2018 Women's College World Series beginning this Thursday, May 31st. The Top 8 seeds all advanced with five of those taking the series in the first two games.

Action from OKC begins Thursday. Click here for the full 2018 Women's College World Series bracket.

Super Regional Wrap-Up

#1 Oregon advances over #16 Kentucky. After dropping game one 6-9, the Ducks rebounded for 6-1 and 11-1 wins in games 2 and 3 to take the series against a very hot hitting Kentucky line-up.

#2 Florida advances over #15 Texas A&M. After coming from behind in the 7th of game one for the 5-4 victory, and then dropping game two 4-5, the Gators manages to rally for the 5-3 win in game 3 to clinch the series.

#3 UCLA advances over #14 Arizona. The history and tradition surrounding these two teams made this Pac-12 matchup the most talked about in this super regionals. UCLA took game 7-1 and then managed the sweep in a very close 3-2 game 2.

#4 Oklahoma advances over #13 Arkansas.  Arkansas made a solid run through SEC play and into post season but could not stop the two-time defending champs as Oklahoma took two games 7-2 and 9-0.

#5 Washington advances over #12 Alabama. After a 9-inning 3-2 victory in game 1, the Huskies took the momentum into game two and clinched the series with a 6-0 victory.

#6 Florida State advances over #11 LSU. After dropping game one 5-6, the Seminoles took LSU to 11 innings and managed the 8-5 victory in game 2. Florida State then took the series finale 3-1 to secure their spot in OKC.

#7 Georgia advances over #10 Tennessee. In another SEC post season matchup, Georgia (who finished last in SEC in 2017) narrowly took games one and two from Tennessee 4-3 and 2-1.

#8 Arizona State advances over #9 South Carolina.  These two teams made waves in their respective conferences during the 2018 season but it was ASU who came out on top with a pair of 5-2 victories over the Gamecocks to advance to the Women's College World Series.

Firecrackers in the WCWS

#1 Oregon
*Mary Iakopo – Freshman, Catcher
*Megan Kleist - Junior, Pitcher

#2 Florida
*Nicole DeWitt – Senior, INF

#3 UCLA
*Brianna Tautalafua – Senior, INF
*Jelly Felix – Senior, OF

#4 Oklahoma
*Eliyah Flores – Freshman, INF
*Melanie Olmos – Sophomore, Pitcher

#5 Washington
*Kaija Gibson – Sophomore, OF
*Sis Bates – Sophomore, INF
*Taylor VanZee – Senior, INF

#7 Georgia
*Alyssa DiCarlo – Junior, INF
*Mahlena O’Neal – Sophomore, Catcher

#8 Arizona State
*Bella Loomis – Freshman, INF
*Brianna Macha – Senior, Pitcher
*Taylor Becerra – Junior, INF

by Firecrackers Inc