CLUB PROFILE: IMPACT GOLD 14U-KREINUS
Joe Kreinus coaches Impact Gold-Kreinus, a 14U team located in the Florida Panhandle. The homegrown team that has been together since 2018 and features six USSSA Select 30 invitees recently joined Jazz Jackson-Vesely as the Impact Gold organization’s first Florida-based team.
Note: Kreinaus and his team didn’t feel the full brunt of Hurricane Ian in Florida and are safe. “Thank you so much for reaching out and checking in. We are doing OK up in the Panhandle. It missed us this time. Others in the Central/South part of the state were not as fortunate, so just praying for them all and looking to help them as we can.)
https://twitter.com/ImpactGoldFL/status/1573718115011231746
CLUB PROFILE Q&A
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Our team started in August 2018 when we moved to Florida from Wisconsin. I met with the high school softball coach at South Walton High School and discussed the need to continue to develop competitive softball players in the area. Having coached travel softball in Wisconsin, I decided to revamp the travel program in town to provide a local opportunity for competitive softball in the area and the team was born. That fall, we had tryouts and ended up with a mix of 10U- and 12U- eligible players so that first season we had to play 12U even though over half the team was 2009 (9U). This was a difficult first season where we went 1-25, but you could tell that we had the makings of something special. We were able to form our 10U team that spring and continued to add talented athletes along the way. Fast forward to the spring of 2022, we made the jump to Class A ball and PGF Super Select Events. We had a successful spring season and looked to align with a national organization that had similar values and culture. We started talking with Jazz Jackson-Vesely, president of Impact Gold Fastpitch out of Houston, TX, which led to us becoming the first Florida-located Impact Gold Team. We are honored to be chosen to represent Impact Gold and look forward to all the growth and opportunities this provides to our girls.
Where are you based?
Where do your athletes come from? Our team is based out of Niceville, FL. We have eleven girls on the team this season. Ten of our girls are local from the Florida Panhandle and have been with the team for multiple seasons. This fall, we are welcoming our first out-of-state player, joining us from Ashburn, GA.
What was the purpose of creating the team?
Originally, the team was created to provide local players with an opportunity to develop competitive skills and learn the value of teamwork. We wanted to provide an environment to grow and play the game in a fun way that would set them up for future success and a love of the game. Culture is very important to us and has evolved as we continue to grow. Our purpose for joining Impact Gold Fastpitch was to align with their tradition and purpose of preparing student athletes for college. Impact Gold provides our players with a platform, tools, guidance and an opportunity to showcase themselves and to increase exposure of the team overall. Impact Gold is a proven organization with countless players continuing to play collegiately at the highest level.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
In the fall of 2022, we started the season 25-1, winning four straight USSSA class B tournaments. It was at this time that we made the jump to Class A. In the spring of 2022, we challenged the girls (by) playing up in two 14U tournaments, participating in multiple PGF Super Select events, PGF state tournament and a USSSA Class A World Series. We finished second in one of the local 14U tournaments. Playing 12U, we placed eighth at the PGF Super Select Mojo Invitational in Columbia, TN. (We) finished first at the PGF FL States Tournament at Champions Park in Newbery, FL. (We) placed fourth at the USSSA Class A Road to the Beach World Series in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
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