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We continue our list of the Top 15 Softball Stories of 2018, which will run through December 31st when we’ll present our No. 1 story of the year.
We’ve surveyed the softball community and talked internally as well to come up with what were the most impactful and relevant stories in 2018 pertaining to the world of fastpitch softball.
Here are the previous stories:
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- #15… Alexia Carrasquillo: The Shot Heard Round the Recruiting World (Dec. 17, 2018)
- #14… Ashley Rogers Overcomes Tragedy to Become National Player of the Year
- #13… High School Senior Sydney Supple Approaching $100K To Build Hometown Field of Dreams
- #12… NFCA’s StrikeOut Cancer Initiative Provides Unity & Half Million-Plus For Researc
- #11… There’s Rage in Them Cajuns…. Michael Lotief Firing at ULL Sparks Pushback from Coach & Players
Today is #10 and recaps a summer club ball national championship that was televised on ESPN when whispers began circulating before the 16U final that one of the teams in the title game had an age ineligible player. That team won but within hours was disqualified and the reaction from the event producer was swift and harsh…
To provide comments, insights or thoughts, email: [email protected].
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There are several “governing bodies” in club softball–PGF, USA Softball (formerly ASA), USSSA and Triple Crown Sports–which all produce National Championships at the various age divisions along with other top events over the summer that include Boulder Independence Day Tournament and Colorado Sparkler & Fireworks over the July 4th weekend.
When one of those championship games, which happens to be televised on ESPN, involves controversy, then people are going to take notice.
When the Thursday, July 12th 16U final day was proceeding towards the finale, word spread around the event in Atlanta that at least one player on the Jacksonville Storm appeared to be age ineligible, meaning she was 18-years-old and thus would disqualify the Storm no matter what finish it placed.
And, as fate would have it, the Storm won the championship game which was interrupted in the early innings when the opposing team, the ScrapYard Internationals, filed a protest.
However, shortly after the game–about two hours after the contest ended–the Storm reported that it did have a player who would force the team to lose its title.
Triple Crown Sports President Dave King spearheaded a press release which outlined punishments against the Storm which included a ban from playing through 2019 and would need to be reviewed before being allowed to play in TCS events again.
The Storm organization issued a formal apology a day later (see below) and the furor would soon pass. By the fall, the Storm was continuing to play in top events–though not Triple Crown ones–and the damage seemed to have been minimized.
Extra Inning Softball reached out to the Storm for a response this week and here’s what was issued via text:
“Within the The Jacksonville and Florida Storm organizations we have established new processes and systems to ensure organizational controls.”
“Prior to the development of any and all teams, a position has been developed on the board to review all rosters and proper information to ensure the integrity of the program and that every team presents the organization in an efficient and professional manner.”
“The organization will continue to compete at a high level and ensure that we provide the best experience female athletes. We as an organization have learned a great deal and are exited about the future.”
As anyone in public relations would tell you, own it, fix it, ensure it and prevent it from happening again and most likely you’ll be forgiven by the American public. That generally seems to be the case here as most in the club softball world have moved on from the summer national situation.
Entering 2019, the Storm organization looks to be again fielding strong teams and back in play for most top events. Time will tell how Triple Crown reacts to the processes put in place and if and/or when the Florida program can again play in its events.
Below is the initial press release issued by Triple Crown Sports and then the follow-up response by the Storm organization following the championship which was shared by the second and third place finishers…
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
