RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Firecrackers Premier-RTY—which stands for Tony Rico, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Randy Yuge—features some of the top 16U players from California and is Yuge’s feeder team for Rico and Houshmanzadeh.
Rob Weil and Houshmandzadeh worked as coaches for the team since its inception as a 12U team five years ago.
Here’s a look at the backstory of the team as provided by Coach Yuge with bios on each of the 20 talented players…
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Where do your athletes come from?
We are based in Whittier, California. Our athletes come from all areas of California and we have one player that joined from Canada.
What was the purpose of creating the team?
I think the initial objective was to create a culture of bringing value and benefit back to the team. We just went to every friendly and sought out to play the best teams in the age division that season.
Playing powerhouses like the 2023 (OC) Batbusters – Mascarenas and the 2023 (Athletics) Mercado – Hovermale teams. Our philosophy had paid off and we qualified at the first PGF Qualifier in Huntington Beach going undefeated and earning a Premier berth. We enjoyed having a successful first year season together.
What makes the organization unique?
After that season, we had to evolve at each age division while still staying true to the culture and philosophy of the team; we still believed that there’s a progression, adaptation and objective that differs year to year to what’s going to get the girls — development, exposure and experience.
Having the exposure to TJ Houshmanzadeh and Rob Weil, this melting pot of mentorship has created a hybrid program that I feel has been very successful. Our team is just special (not unique) because we have a small hometown feel to the team, but we have always been a top contention team.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
I don’t have much softball background. I grew up on an Air Force base in Japan and baseball is my closest background to softball.
I was the GM of the team from the start, but I was put into a coaching role when TJ couldn’t show up to the friendly games in San Diego. It started a further infatuation and love for the game of softball.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
There have been some defining moments that I felt indicated we had something special going on. We earned the PGF Premier berth at the first qualifier as a first-year 12U team. That was unique back then.
We beat Corona Angels-Tyson 05 at the TCS Firecrackers Invitation as a first-year 14U team and I felt that was the turning point and felt that we had something special. Last year, we won seven tournaments and were finalists in the Alliance National Championship.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
The primary focus on this current team is to get them the exposure they need to get recruited. We are based solely on getting these kids recruited and we are at, or invited to, the best showcases/tournaments.
What do you think are the strengths of the team?
The strength of this team is that they’ve been in situations of adversity and they played at the highest level of travel softball. They have character and grit.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
Our philosophy this year is to rebuild, develop and prove that we are one of the top programs. We have proven that year after year that this program provides and this year we won’t disappoint.
Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization? This program has been a team that has been in existence for five seasons. I don’t know of one team that has moved up for five seasons. We’ve always played at the highest level of softball and will continue that this summer season –– leading into Nationals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
*** Scroll down to read the bios on each of the team’s members…