Ray Stout is no stranger to the game of softball.
At 62 years young, having coached at the high school and travel ball levels for a combined 30-plus years, he has seen his fair share of talent.
Stout, now in his third time through from age division 12U through 18U and dropping back each time, may have found the “One.”
Ray’s devotion extends far beyond the diamond on the weekend, though; he also gives hitting and pitching lessons throughout the week in hopes of developing that next generation of girls who one day fall in love with the game and never look back.
As an official first year 16u team, Carolina Cardinals Red is poised to make some noise this 2021 fall season. CCR jumped right into the 2021 spring season with five weeks of HS-18U showcase tourneys throughout the Carolinas, finishing the 2021 spring/summer season with a 52-16 record and winning the USA Softball Eastern Nationals.
They could have just settled for a simple 14U season; COVID would have been a simple excuse to stay down and compete in their own age group.
Coach Ray, however, felt that this team could compete at the next level and decided to make a move after a shortened inaugural 14U run in which, due to the injuries, the team could “only” muster a Top 15 at the 2020 14U USA Nationals.
Immediately following the 2020 summer stretch, the longtime coach decided it was time to move up and continue to challenge this talented group of 2024-2026 young ladies.
This Fall, the team—which is comprised of players from all over North Carolina—is setting its sights on tougher competition, different venues and is looking to build on its success with a team full of athletic and strategic players with high softball IQs and big bats.
“This team has excelled because of the talent and work ethic that each girl possesses,” says Stout. “Many of these girls drive several hours to be a part of this team.”
The name of the CCR game is speed and strategy, and this can be seen as their roster is full of lefty slappers. But the key that makes this team so cohesive is the “balance of smart slappers and timely power hitters who can go yard at any given time.”
Here’s a closer look player-by-player at Carolina Cardinals Red, which because of its successes this year has already caught the attention of many coaches at the collegiate level.
*** Scroll down to learn more about each of the players on this championship winning team!
