Club Team Spotlight: Carolina Cardinals Nationals – Sars 14U… Talented Players to be Led by An All-Star Coaching Staff (Including one of Extra Inning’s Own)!

A new premier travel ball team has been started under the Carolina Cardinals banner by Jon Garner and John Sars, with a great amount of support given by Chad Jarvis and last, but certainly not least, with the support of Rick Mahone, the President of the Carolina Cardinals organization.

The promising new team popped up on the East Coast this past Spring and I’m excited to say that I also will be a part of the aforementioned coaching crew that gets to help develop these young athletes into women along with former Georgia standout outfielder Megan Wiggins (2008-20011) and also former James Madison University pitcher Megan Good (2015-20018).

I spoke with Coach Sars about the team and his players and below is what he had to say along with the team’s schedule this Summer and a spotlight on each of the talented young athletes…

— Jessie Warren, Extra Inning Softball correspondent

*****

Extra Inning Softball: Why did you start this team?
John Sars: We got together and wanted to create something special. We wanted to get to why these kids play this sport, which is to have fun and create an environment where high level training is taking place with an emphasis on fundamental softball. What better way to accomplish this than to bring in some of the most talented professional softball players like Megan Wiggins, Megan Good and Jessie Warren? In my opinion, we struck gold landing this coaching staff! Not only are they incredible athletes, but they are also incredible individuals and what they/you have to offer to these kids is exactly what they need to start preparing them to play at the next level and preparing them to become strong confident women.

EIS: What is it you’d like the team to learn by the time they’re done?
JS: Having these women as coaches and role models will only impact these kids in a positive manner. It is all about personal development and developing an atmosphere of team first to accomplish a common goal and who else better to lead them than these three coaches?

EIS: Does the new team have a mission statement or singular focus it looks to seek after?
JS: The team created a slogan that describes how they represent themselves and our origination: We Are.” What “We Are” means is Attitude, Respect and Effort… it literally says who we are and what we’re about. When we created this team, we had a vision of what it is we wanted. We wanted the greatest players that ever played the game to work and train with some of the most talented kids we could find. I am convinced that we are off to a great start and the culture that has been created tells us we are doing something right. I honestly could not be more pleased on how this program has taken off.

EIS: How will you gauge if the team is successful?
JS: These young ladies will develop into great and productive women who remember what true success really is: making a difference in someone’s life, which has more value and more satisfaction than any monetary accomplishments one could ever receive. Knowing we helped these kids to a great start into their lives is really what it is all about and it shows the community who we are as an organization.

EIS: What is the importance of mental strength?
JS: It’s simple: I will not be outworked.

EIS: What defines your success?
JS: Teaching these kids to know who they are, how to deal with challenges in life, understanding what a true leader is. Through their actions they will display confidence, courage, will power and strength.

EIS: In closing, what is one piece of advice you’d like to share with your kids?
JS: Self-love. Honestly, I think that is what is missing in today’s youth, and it is harder than you think to have it. But through self-love and respect you will find the strength to chase your dreams with confidence and commitment.

*****

Here’s the Summer schedule for the team and where it will be competing across the nation:

• SHOW ME THE MONEY
  June 9^th-12^th: Newberry, FL
• T-BOLTS 5 STAR EXPOSURE
  June 17^th-19^th: Birmingham, AL
• TRIPLE CROWN SPARKLER JR
  June 27^th-July 3^rd: Denver, CO
• PRO SWINGS POWER 50
  July 15^th-17^th: Newberry, FL
• PGF NATIONALS
  July 31^st-Aug 7^th: Irvine, CA

*****

*** Scroll down to read Jessie’s player-by-player look at each of the members of the Cardinals 14U squad…

Join Today to Get Unlimited Access to Extra Inning Softball

Join Now

Already a Extra Inning Member? Log In