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ABOUT
There’s a new powerhouse 14U team set to make a splash in travel softball ball… mostly.
It’s actually not a totally new squad as the core of the Arizona Storm Premier – Appel/Heffley team is comprised of standouts from the previous Storm – Steverson team but there are three new pieces—two pitchers and a catcher—and Co-Head Coach Steve Appel thinks the final mix of this group makes it one to watch at the highest levels of play.
“We are looking to compete for a national championship immediately with this group,” he says bluntly. “There is a great mix of power, speed, pitching and defense in the team which we feel can compete with anybody.”
One interesting fact about the newly-named Storm Premier team: it has a coaching staff of four – a pair of co-head coaches and two assistants — who don’t have daughters on the team so there won’t be any worries or concerts about nepotism.
What they do have, however, is a collective total of 60 years of travel ball coaching experience and that includes the youngest who just finished her college playing career.
The Storm is hitting the ground running, competing in several showcases this Fall—especially at the 16U level—and won’t duck anyone according to Appel.
“Like my past teams,” he continues, “we will travel to chase the best competition and will not shy away from any challenge. You will find us playing in Arizona, Texas and California this Fall and in the Summer of 2021 we plan on attending IDT in Colorado, Top Club in Oklahoma and Zoom into June and PGF Premier 14U Nationals in California.”
Here’s a closer look at the team from top to bottom with comments on the coaches and players by Coach Appel
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THE COACHING STAFF:
CO-HEAD COACH STEVE APPEL:
I have been coaching club ball for the last 16 years in Arizona with two Top 10 PGF finishes including finishing 2nd with my 2023 Storm Appel team in 2019; two Top 20 PGF finishes and one top 15 ASA finish.
I have coached high school ball at Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Arizona, for the past two years and just recently took over the program as head coach full time. My teams have sent over 25 kids to college and this year’s 2023 group was inundated with calls, emails and texts with several girls already having official visits booked to some of the top college programs across the country.
My “real” job is serving as a branch manager of a big mortgage company based out of Southern California. I am a father of five beautiful daughters and just recently had my first grandchild, a boy, enter my life.
I love coaching for the competition and believe my strengths are in helping players with recruiting and networking as well as managing the game between the lines. I also love being able to help young ladies elevate their game and achieve their goals of playing college softball. I am excited for this next group to see their dreams be fulfilled!
CO-HEAD COACH RUSS HEFFLEY:
Russ has been coaching softball for a total of 30 years, mainly in California. He has also coached softball, football and baseball in Central California at three different high schools. Russ is a retired from law enforcement where he served for 27 years and is married to his wife, Jennifer, of 30 years, and they have three wonderful daughters.
He currently is serving as the Volunteer Assistant Coach for Arizona State University softball under Trisha Ford. Previously, Russ spent most of his club coaching years as a coach and President of the Central Cal Dirtdogs organization where he helped send numerous kids to play college ball as well.
“I love the desire and dedication that travel softball ladies have,” Russ says, “because they have a true love of the game and that is why I am back coaching.”
ASSISTANT COACH MATT STYS:
Matt has been coaching club ball for over 14 years and has been coaching with my Storm Appel team with me for the past three years. He has a great personality and is so genuine to the girls and the families. Matt is a huge asset volunteering his time with no kids on the field.
He and his wife Kristen have been married for 26 years and they have three amazing daughters. Matt is an executive in the professional and collegiate sports media industry and has gotten to attend some pretty cool professional sporting events.
ASSISTANT COACH KATELYN STYS:
You guessed it, Kate is the daughter of Matt! She just recently completed her master’s degree and played college softball at Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania. She was just hired on at Grand Canyon University working in their broadcasting/sponsorships department.
Kate is eager to help the girls, as a recent college softball graduate where she pitched and played first base and has visions of becoming a college coach one day. So, there’s no better place to get her feet when then with us!
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*** Scroll down to read bios on each player including what Coach Appel thinks and why the players want to be on this nationally competitive team!