Summer 2009

Team Broward's inaugural season

Tournaments

July 3-4- USSSA States, Stuart

An outstanding effort in the second seeding game, and a win earned run-by-run, catch-by-catch. Team Broward slugged it out and played the best game of the season against the Lady Knights, only to fall to them on the rematch on Sunday. Caitlyn's double just missed the fence on Sunday, Sara connected, Shelby's seven innings on Saturday were a season highlight, and it's great to have Victoria back on the field. Her shot to the pitcher on Sunday, caught in self-defense, had the potential to be a game changer. It's truly a game of inches.

June 26-27- Thunder in Sunrise

Stuck with a super-tough Lady Canes on Saturday and fought the Pressure on Sunday. Happy Birthday Coach Smythers! Cool cake, good softball, Allie pitched both games, Caitlyn relieved on Sunday. Kelli hit a sweet single on Sunday, Kelli and Brittny teamed up for the old 6-4 a couple of times. Megan nailed a base steal attempt on Sunday from her knees, and Ashley's catch in right on Saturday kept Team Broward in the game.  More rain, wet fields, and States this weekend.

June 13-14- Plantation June Jam

Summer helps out, Meredith gets a batting average with her first hit, a stand-up Sunday triple. Chocolate strawberries and the heat is on. Victoria and Allie are almost off the DL and will be back on the fields shortly. Jessica and Sara hit big on Saturday,  and the team gets a break with the upcoming weekend off. Time to practice and hit the books as we move closer to States.

June 6-7- Coral Springs

Team Broward's strikes into Sunday with a third, just out of the final game. Weather and waiting, even a break for a medevac from the field. Megan hasn't struck out in three weekends, Sara lays one down, Sami stretches out for one in left, Ashley uses her forehead as a backstop and comes up smiling. Mario and the motor home firmly entrench themselves in the team's memories, we meet Nacho, and Meredith debuts in the field. Each weekend we grow a little more, get a little more aggressive on the field and a little more comfortable with each other as this group grows into a team.

May 30-31- Stuart Sailfish Splash

The most  important team, on the left.

Allie's big weekend with her new nickname "Wheels", Kelsey tries to break the opposing catcher's knee with her face- but scored the run. Jessica's huge triple on Sunday, Victoria Get Well Soon!, Brittny holds on to batting average, runs, stolen base, on-base percentage, and slugging team leader.  Shelby and Kayla still 100% on defense, Megan rocks with RBI's. Two in the "W" column for the weekend and we dodged the thunder and lightning.

Shelby	Allie	Brittny beats the throw	You hold it down and I'll step on it.	Shelby takes off

 

 

May 23-24- Ft. Myers Border Wars

Big offense, Ashley gets one deep for her first double, Jessica pitches a lot, Kayla scores twice in the last game, Kelli adds another scraped elbow to her collection, Victoria makes an amazing catch to keep the elimination game alive,  Megan goes three for three on Sunday.

This is a talented group and the skill level and game knowledge and situational awareness are better every week- just need to learn how to be game-takers and heartbreakers on the field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 9-10- Plantation, ISA Mother's Day

 

 

Roses for all the Moms! A nice touch to finish a weekend that saw few errors, better hitting, and a lot more teamwork. A new program and a new team made a strong showing against tough competition, and team spirit was the weekend's focus.  A lot of accomplishments, lots more to work on as Team Broward heads into a two week break before the Fort Myers tournament. A clear practice plan and goals will fill the next couple of weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

Megan and Kim on Mother's Day	Sarah and Jessica on Mother's Day	Shelby, Denise, and Brittny on Mother's Day

 

May 2-3- Plantation, ASA First Pitch Classic

 

 

Team Broward's first outing, ASA showcase rules in Plantation, three seeding games Saturday with elimination games on Sunday; May 2-3, 2009.

Kayla scores the first Team Broward run, Caitlyn, Bridget, and Kelsey hit .500, Jessica mows them down in game 2. Kelli gets dirty. Bridget rules with 2 RBI's, and Megan rocks behind the plate. Brittny leads the team with 5 hits, Victoria out in front with 4 steals, everybody played, and Team Broward arrives.  One defining moment in the elimination game on Sunday galvanized the team,  a moment when Team Broward, looking uphill at six unanswered runs, rose to the occasion. Jessica rounded second and challenged, halfway between second and third, and forced Plantation into getting her out- and made it to third. When players take control of a game and force the other team to play on their level, teams come together- and before the Pressure knew what hit them  it was a tie game. When players take control of their own destiny on offense, a spark turns into a flame. Team Broward has arrived.

 

 

 

Megan	Head Coach John Smythers	Kelli warming up	Brittny at the plate	Jessica's explosion.
Kayla	Team Broward	The Three Coaches	Allie	Sara on third
Ashley	Megan June 27