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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022:
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CLUB PROFILE SPOTLIGHT: TEAM NC 14U-BOWMAN
Brian Bowman’s Team NC-Bowman is primarily made up of local players in the Davidson County, NC, area and has developed from a regional powerhouse into a national-level program.
CLUB PROFILE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be? We started with a core group of girls many who are still with us today out of Davidson County, NC, 8U All-Stars. From there we committed to learning and teaching the game one step above the girls’ ability.
Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from? Winston Salem, NC. Outside of one player, we all live within one hour of each other. Although not the norm at the level we play at, it has allowed us to develop, push and learn together.
What was the purpose of creating the team? There are a couple of us that have had the opportunity to play ball at the next levels, coached travel and high school baseball/softball players who went on play at the next level, some still playing in the league. The joy of watching kids and families chase dreams on and off the field is why we do it and feel strongly that every kid has a different path. Fortunately or unfortunately, we only know how to teach life lessons through athletics.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events? PGF 16U Diamond Directional Invitation runner-up (2022); PGF 14U Fall NC State champion (2022); PGF Fall Super Select 13U champion (2022); Triple Crown East Coast Summer Nationals 12U Champion (2022); and PGF 14U Spring NC State Champions (2022).
What makes the organization unique? Resources on and off the field. Team NC has been great in providing us a roadmap of success. There are a select few coaches that know the process, willing to share the process and, most important, allowing our younger teams to live the process with their older teams.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team? Coming up through baseball and having daughters, I guess you could say we got lucky that our girls forced us into the game.
How many teams are there in the organization overall? Currently 21.
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history? The past few months we have gone 37-1 winning Triple Crown East Coast Nationals, PGF Super Select in Indiana, 14U PGF States and coming off a runner-up finish at the 16U PGF Diamond Direct Invitational that was loaded up.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team? Our goal is to provide these girls and families with opportunities most of us never had at a young age. That opportunity to see the country, meet new friends, do life with friends, family and to learn there are bigger dreams to chase outside our small hometowns is what it is all about. Every kid will have the opportunity to play at the next level, but our goal is to have them prepared off the field as much as they are on the field.
What do you think are the strengths of the team? Pitching is everything and we have four No. 1 arms. Learning how to win multiple ways. On purpose, we will never have the same defensive or offensive lineup game-to-game. Right or wrong and not the norm, we still rotate defensively every inning and demand our kids learn to handle the barrel in different roles, which leads to more production when the lights are on. Mentally we compete.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be? There are some top-notch coaches and staffs across the country we look up to and love. That being said, we are blessed with one of the best dugouts any team at any level could have. Non-parent coach, one who recently delivered a team of college softball commits, two former college athletes that know what it takes to play at the next level, current college players coaching on any given weekend, and a non-parent pitching coach on staff, who can not only teach it but spin it. The ability to teach it and make adjustments allows us to grow in the moment.
Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization? Our formula of having the same team, only picking up two girls in the last three years (is) different. Creating an environment off the field the girls and parents enjoy has made our experience of playing at the highest level fun for all.
ROSTER
- Blakely Bowman (2027, IF/OF, uncommitted)
- Lauren Chesney (2027, SS/C, uncommitted)
- Maylee Stroupe (2027, C/SSm uncommitted)
- Landyn Smith (2028, OF/IF, uncommitted)
- Kaylee Hodges (2027, RHP/3B/1B, uncommitted)
- Reese Poole (2027, IF/RHP, uncommitted)
- Bryton Zimmerman (2027, 3B/OF, uncommitted)
- Allie McLeod (2027, OF/IF, uncommitted)
- Rylee Tedder (2028, RHP/1B/3B, uncommitted)
- Katelyn Handy (2027, OF/C, uncommitted)
- Kinzie Ivey (2027, LHP/1B, uncommitted)
- Caycee Wilson (2027, RHP/OF, uncommitted)
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