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On Friday, Extra Inning Softball broke the news that after winning the TC/USA Nationals 16U Open Title in Atlanta, the Jacksonville Storm-Davis team was stripped of the title by Triple Crown Sports and levied heavy sanctions.
We reached out to both the Storm organization and Triple Crown Sports about details of the penalties incurred which were given when a Storm coach self-reported two hours after winning the title game, 8-7, over Scrap Yard Internationals that two players on its team were over the age of 18 and were thus ineligible to play at the 16U level for Nationals.
A representative from Triple Crown Sports responded: “We are not going to say much more than what the (press) release offered, other than we followed our normal protest protocols during the game and concluded that the player was legal based on the information that was presented to us at the time.”
“It was after that game when the coach called us and confessed what they had done. We then made our decision.”
The Storm organization sent us its formal response to what happened which is printed below…
*****
The Jacksonville Storm Softball Organization is saddened that our 16U was out of compliance with the requirements that have been established by Triple Crown Sports. The Jacksonville Storm 16U team openly prepared a summer roster that was full of 2019 and 2020 graduates in order to compete in a showcase mentality.
All season the Jacksonville Storm 16U team has played showcase softball built around graduation year. This team, like so many others, has played in prestigious showcases this season that support female athletes playing in this manner. After speaking with the top organizations over the last 24 hours that offer competitive softball events and leaders of the top showcases they are appreciative of our proactive measures to contact them to explain the recent occurrence.
The Jacksonville Storm 16U accepts the recommendations set forth by Triple Crown Sports. Additionally, we agree that the ownership of this misunderstanding is directly on the coaching staff that has been sensitive and sincerely apologetic for their lack of understanding. The Jacksonville Storm understands the magnitude of Triple Crown Sports and their ability to offer high quality events for female athletes.  The Jacksonville Storm will work tirelessly to mend our relationship with TC Sports in order to compete in their events starting in August 2019.
The Jacksonville Storm 16U stands remorseful and should have done a better job with reviewing event criteria.  Our 16U national team was excited to attend this prestigious event and with the goal of getting better. While winning championships reflect outstanding accomplishments, the greater opportunity was for our female athletes to play alongside some of the best players in the nation with the goal of improving their skills for college exposure.
The Jacksonville Storm has great respect for Triple Crown Sports and appreciates their professionalism through recent interactions and conversations. As always, the Jacksonville Storm will continue to stand strong as one of the best organizations in Florida and throughout the Southeast. Additionally, we will continue to provide the best product on and off the field and work to repair our prestigious perception.  With this said, we will be providing intensive training for all teams under our umbrella to ensure that we better understand the dynamics associated with building rosters in order to compete in all events. Our goal of assisting female athletes fulfill their aspirations by playing at the collegiate level will continue.
Once again, The Jacksonville Storm is apologetic for not having a better understanding of the rules and regulations established by TC Sports and taking the focus off of female athletes.
Congratulations to Scrap Yard International and Texas Glory on their accomplishment this past week.
Sincerely,
The Jacksonville Storm Organization