Get on board with Extra Inning Softball’s regular feature, The Last Inning!
We are scouring the Internet and social media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at info@extrainningsoftball.com and also los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com.
Here’s our TLI for Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021…
*****
TEAM PROFILE: ATHLETICS MERCADO 18U-ORNELAS.
Fernando Ornelas has been with David Mercado’s Athletics Mercado organization for 10-plus years and he has developed his 18U team into one of the top contenders in the nation.
We caught up with him recently to learn more about his team heading into 2022…
TEAM PROFILE Q&A
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
I have been with Athletics Mercado for 10 years and prior to that with So Cal Athletics.
Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from?
We are based out of Murrieta, CA, and we have players from So Cal and one player from Arizona.
What was the purpose of creating the team?
We always are striving to win titles but my overall goal is to showcase players and get them to the collegiate level. Develop them so they start in college.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
I have had teams in the past win PGF Premier, Colorado Fireworks and TCS World Series.
What makes the organization unique?
Having the support of every coach and their experience helps a lot. It all starts off with our younger teams, pushing them to develop good habits early. We have organization workouts that help make sure every coach and players understand our expectations and “Don’t Suck.”
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
Just like most coaches I started back in rec with my daughter (C Karrisa Ornelas was at Central Florida and now at Oregon), prior to that I coached my son in baseball. I started a 2018 team, all first-year 10s, then we merged our teams with David Mercado and Brian Tidd. Brian and I coached together; we were known as So Cal Athletics-TO (Tidd/Ornelas). We won PGF at 10s and every year after that we were in the top 10 until our girls graduated in 2018. During that 2018 season, I was also helping out with a 12U team after my 2018 team graduated, then I was coaching a 12U and 16U team. I coached two teams for a couple of years, but it began to be too much time away from my wife. So I have asked to only coach one team and with my background with my relationships with coaches, one was asked to stay at 18s.
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
60-plus.
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
Every year we have every player committed to play collegiate softball.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
My focus is to get my 2022s ready for college, playing the best competition, but also get the rest of our team committed.
What do you think are the strengths of the team?
I feel that the depth of this team helps a lot. We have depth at every position. Our senior leadership is going to be a big part of it. This 2022 class is a special one. I have known them for a long time and seen them all grow up to be such strong athletes.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
We have two coaches that don’t have daughters on the team. Both coaches don’t do this for money but for the love of getting players to college and building relationships with them and their families. I think that really shows on and off the field.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
*** Scroll down to read about the Athletics talented players including 8 seniors headed to schools like UCLA and BC…
