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Here’s our TLI for Thursday, March 31:
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CLUB PROFILE: 3N2 STICKS SOFTBALL
3N2 Sticks Softball recruiting coordinator Jay Lupo recently talked with Extra Inning Softball about the program’s formation and how things have been going for the Arkansas-based softball program.
CLUB PROFILE Q&A
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
It’s actually a funny story. In one sentence, it started so my daughter had a quality showcase program to play softball in when she got to 16U.
Chase Brewster is a friend and owner/director of Sticks Baseball based out of Texarkana, AR. The Sticks, in five short years, have rapidly ascended to the top of the amateur baseball world. They’re on the short list of best organizations in the country, having produced hundreds of college commitments and nearly 20 MLB draft picks. My son was lucky enough to be a part of the Sticks from the beginning.
So one day my wife and I are driving and we’re talking about our daughter and what she’d do once youth travel ball was over.
I’ll spare you of the details, but the conversation ended with … “Well, you better get to talking to Brewster about it then.” I did and he was totally on board. (He) had wanted to do it for a while, was just looking for the right time. That time was now (Winter of 20/21) as he had me and his friend Coach Kameron Forte with daughters, who were ready to get the ball rolling. And we pulled the trigger for our final year of 14U ball. Sticks Softball was born with my team and Coach Forte’s 12U team.
Since then, we’ve followed a similar trajectory as Coach Brewster did … fast. Both teams have ascended to the top of their divisions.
My group added pieces, formed the “dream team” and went to work. Our first season together was the fall of 2021 and (they) went 35-5, won the 16U Open State title, won 4/6 events, had girls pick up offers and knocked off some of the heavy hitters in our state. Coach Forte’s group has constantly improved as well.
They’re one of the top first-year 14U teams in Arkansas now. We’ve added other teams, highlighted by our Sticks-Irvin 10U team. They’re already competing at a national level. And we now have three showcase (high school) teams that will be playing a variety of competition across the country, region and state.
Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from?
We really have two bases — the youth program out of Texarkana, AR, and our showcase program based out of Sheridan, AR. The youth teams are more locally-centered, but at the high school level we have kids from every corner of Arkansas plus states like Missouri, Texas and Louisiana.
What was the purpose of creating the team?
When referencing “the team” I’m always talking about 3N2 Sticks 16U National because it’s the one I coach. Just an FYI.
The purpose of creating our crew was multi-faceted. One, the opportunity was there. I knew the Sticks baseball story. It started as one really good team and formed into what it is today. I knew we could do the same thing in softball.
Two, it was time. To me, the softball showcase game is a good 5-7 years behind the baseball side in Arkansas. There just aren’t a lot of organizations doing it on the softball side period, much less doing it right. Now that’s not to say there aren’t good organizations in our state. Tulsa Elite has a heavy presence here. The Firecrackers have a small but really good contingent here. Same with Top Gun. The Arkansas Thunder has quality leadership. But there was certainly room for another player inside of Arkansas.
And our goal, at the showcase level, is to give kids the opportunity to play at the next level if they want it. Typically, when you do things right and attract good talent, the trophies, the winning, etc … will follow suit. But my goal is and always will be to help kids reach their dreams of playing college softball.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
We’ve only been together for one 40-game fall, but in that span, we’ve proven ourselves one of the top 16U teams in the state. And we’re a first-year 16U team, ie, a 15U team. This group has another fall and two more summers in the division.
But fall accomplishments would be as follow:
- 35-5 overall
- 27-3 vs. 16U
- USSSA Arkansas 16U Open State Champions
- USSSA South Super Regional Champions
- USA PAS Fall Showcase Champions
- Donald Bonger Memorial Champions
- Top 5 at Southeast Shootout
- Top 3 at Arkansas Platinum Showcase
What makes the organization unique?
From an organization perspective, we’re different at the showcase level in the sense that our sole purpose is to give our girls a chance at the next level. That’s how we measure our success. When we choose events, they’re chosen for one of two reasons: The quality of the competition and the eyes that will be on them. That’s it. Whether we can win or not doesn’t factor in.
Also, we don’t practice much. We’re spread out in many instances and we believe good players who want the next level are investing heavily in their future throughout the week on their own. On the weekends, show up and let’s roll.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
My softball background is actually pretty limited. Baseball is where my experience is but it all translates. I’ve coached high-level travel ball, both baseball and softball, for around 10 years. Probably been in the third-base box over 1,000 times. And I’ve seen baseball at its highest amateur level. My son was recruited by multiple and signed with an SEC school, one of the perennial top programs in the country.
I’ve been through all the ups and downs of recruiting. And I know I can help others with my experience. I’ve seen these stories play out many times in a variety of different ways. And I’ve seen great amateur players. My son alone played with kids that are currently with the following off the top of my head: Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas, Florida, TCU, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Stanford, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the St. Louis Cardinals, etc …
I got “chosen” to lead this team by a conversation with my friend, Coach Brewster, who gave me the greenlight to build. And here we are.
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
We have 12 teams from 8U to 16U and growing every day.
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