Can you believe how the sports world changed thanks to STUPID COVID!!!  Sports worlds shut down for nearly a year.....many parents not allowed to work, unless you were an "Essential Worker"...... everyony's lives were turned upside down.......we all know someone that was affected by this horrible disease, but hopefully things are as close to normal in our lives as possible.....I gotta say........Lil Sluggers was more than a softball Team, it was more than competition, it was more than our share of road trips,,,,,,speaking for my kid, it was our routine for the better part of her growing years........the few times we are together now heading to or from, we are constant;y reminded of situations or scenarios that we shared together....I have teared up many a times thinking of the girls and the level of play the dislayed......I was extremely proud to have been part of our group, Proud Coach....Proud Family..Proud Parent......I really did feel STUPID COVID robbed me of being able to say THANK YOU to the girls for their commitment, Thank You for dealing with my push and drive to have you girls experience the oppotunity to play at a higher level.......YOU GIRLS MADE ME PROUD!!!!!!   THANK YOU PARENTS FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!! 

Whar a ride we were on, I was sad to see it end, but here is my chance finally to say good-bye for everything that was Lil Sluggers Softball!!!

There is always a special place in my heart for all these memories shared....good and bad.....

THANK YOU!!!!!!

And as always....GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!

After COVID put a huge wrench into our lives....... we have been given the go ahead to play games, so we are back.....

Yes it will look and feel a little different, we must be smart in our approach, smart in our Social Distancing, and really aware if our health.  That being said, the game can be played, just played smartly as to where we are at and how we approach the game.  Hopefully we will be much more educated about COVID and how easily it can be transferred, and aware of that will allow to participate a little wiser of our surroundings.

 COVID is making the schedule .... we will have to adjust to it..

Practice:  
Mon : 5:45-7:00 Defense infield/outfield Ocotillo park 

Weds : NO PRACTICE 

Nov 21  NO Klutch Friendly 

ONLY 5 GIRLS YES / 4 NO

(Hopefully we get all girls to repky for this date......

We played after 6 months of NO GAMES!!!!! We came out and hit the ball, we pitched well, and played decent defense....our game speed could have been better, our game approach could have been better....and obviously we would have liked better results.......1 win, 1 tie, and 1 loss, not bad, but not what we are used to from this group of girls......it wasn't bad, but if you would have heard the girls, you would think we lost all three games, they expect so much more.....it's a start back on the field, and we will continue to put in the work so we can put in stronger performance next time out.......and a special thanks to the Laces that came and played with us, all four of them made an impact in the games at some point, and they are excited to get back on the field with us, we all look forward to it, cya on the diamond.............

vs 18u A Cut Above

A 5 pitch walk and we are off after 6 month layoff.......Tazz steals 2nd and Turtle 1bs her home....Gemini walks and KFC - Turbo- TBird follow with singles to keep the Sluggers moving....Max walks, Kandy hammers a double, , smoke clears and we scratch 4 runs, nice start.......A Cut Above immediately scores 2 runs to get right back in it, but 9 of the next 11 batters made an out, and we took control of the game with our sticks......Jay 1bs, Faith 1bs, and we scratch another run, 5-2 good gals......3rd inn with two outs, Turbo 1bs, TBird 1bs, Max bbs, Kandy bbs, and Pep crushes a 1b to score two huge runs......when time expired, we finished with a strong outing and looked liked we belonged even after a huge layoff......

A Cut Above----------3

PS Lil Sluggers------8

Pitching:

Tazz-Joy: 5 inn/ 3 runs/6 hits/ 2 bbs/ 2 ks

Hitting:

Tazz bb/ Turtle 1-3/ Gemini bb/ KFC 1-2/ Turbo 2-2/ TBird 2-2/ Max 2 bbs/ Kandy 1-1/ Pep 1-2/ Jay 1-2/ Trinity 1-2/ Faith 1-2

vs 18u Cal Sluggers

we change fields for 2nd game, as I was arriving I was heading to the wrong dugout, they were dressed like us, same name as us, and I was stepping into the opposing dugout thinking it was our sluggers....oops, my bad......we sent our first 9 batters, and only a Turbo 1b....yes, they were throwing a 1 HITTER.....all this while we were making 4 errors with their first 10 batters that cost us 2 runs......we had our work cut out for us......down 2-0, we finally scratched....with two outs, Jay drew a 6 pitch walk.....Trinity then 1bs, Faith followed with a 1b, Tazz doubles, and we manage to tie the game......2-2 after 3 inn.....as Joy was laboring in the circle, bruised toes and numbing on her pitching hand, we had Trinity relieve her......it was 3 walks and a bunt, struggling to find the zone, Tazz asked to pitch, she left game one with a sore back, we limited the damage, 4 runs across, fighting the clock, and now down 6-2.....Gemini started our rally-4 pitch walk, KFC 1bs-Turbo 2bs-TBird 1bs-Max sac fly to right- Pep 1bs and scores 2 more runs, Jay 1bs and TBird finished our scoring, we fight back to tie the game....6-6 tie in a game that we were struggling to find energy......we shut them down in their nhalf of the 5th, and somehow the tie felt like a loss as we should have been much better than we showed.....but energy was an issue, we were fading FAST.......

PS Lil Sluggers---------------6

Cal Sluggers------------------6

Pitching: Joy-Trinity-Tazz 5 inn/ 6 runs/ 5 hits/3bbs/ 1k

Hitting:  Tazz 1-2/ Gemini bb/ KFC 1-2/ Turbo 2-2/ TBird 1-2/ Pep 1-2/ Jay 1-1/ Trinity 1-2/ Faith 1-1

vs 18u Klutch

We came into our last game, my concern was our pitching......Tazz sore back, Joy bruised toes and numb hand, and Trinity struggling with strike zone.....I figured we would hit, something we have always done.....well, Tazz bruises her toe, Joy insists on pitching, and though I should not have allowed her, she toughed out 3 inn, Trinity came in to close in the 5th.....we surrndered 5 runs, but it looked like a lot more....it was the energy they were playing with, we couldn't match it, we were on fumes......our 3rd team couldn't make last game, so the host had their girls step in, it was their first game and our third, it was very noticeable...they were flying around the field, we were trying to speed up the clock...it happens, we flinched, time crawled, and we went down without much of a fight....7 hits on 20 at bats, good for most teams, but not what we are used to........hopefully after a couple of practices under our belts, we can resemble our Lil Sluggers of 6 months ago.....can't wait for our next time on the field......

18u Klutch---------5

PS Lil Sluggers--0

Pitching: Tazz-Joy-Trinity: 5 inn/ 5 runs/ 7 hits/ 5 bbs

Hitting: Tazz 2-2/ Gemini 1-2/ KFC bb/ Turbo 1-2/ TBird 2-2/ Max bb/ Trinity 1-1

Current Team Batting Avgs.- 21 Wins/ 4 Loses

Tazz..........(.550).......................Pep................(.533)

Turtle........(.567).......................KoolAid.........(.426)

KFC...........(.655).......................KandyKorn...(.371)

Gemini.......(.604).........................Squinky.........(.357)

T Bird........(.652)..........................Beetle...........(.692)

Turbo.........(.647)

TEAM AVG.-----(.551) THESE ARE INSANE NUMBERS!!!! GOTTA LIKE IT!!!! 

 Good example of making plays:  E1 Garrison beat Power Surge 7-6 in Finals, we have beat E1 three times, we beat Surge on Saturday, if we make the plays, well....that is our goal, make the routine and the rest will take care of itself.....

Yuma Tournaments has started to draw really strong teams the past 4 Seasons....we have played in 8 games in Yuma in our last 2 times we have competed with a 6 wins and 2 loss record.....our first visit we played short handed and still came home with a 3-1 record......this second time out we played with 2 sick players and 1 injured, but still managed another 3-1 record......at this level of softball, making plays and not giving good teams extra chances is HUGE...we have had lots of success when teams give us the extra outs, we can normally punish teams when they make errors, it doesn't help our batting avg, but it moves our line to give another Lil Slugger an extra At Bat....coming into Yuma we were hitting as a team above .500, WHICH IS HARD TO DO!!!!!!....we continued with quality abs, and limited our strike outs which always puts the pressure on defense.......so no we didn't win on Sunday, but we competed strong all weekend, and once again raised eyebrows while we were on the field......most important, and PLEASE TAKE THIS AS POSITIVE ADVICE, as believe it or not, OUR GIRLS ARE GETTING NOTICED, but it's up to us as Parents and Adults to continue to use our Life Experiences to share in the growth of them not only as ball players, but in life's challenges they will be confronted with......we have exposed the girls to 6 different College recruiters in the past 3 times out on the field, , you never know if something good may come of it......and the same thing has been repeated by all of these recruiters.....we as a team allow situations to control our emotions, how they deal with failure is what will make them successful, something that is repeated to them tons of times, stay focused, stay in the moment, and continue to push through the tough times, it will make you stronger....our girls are now more than a mere blip on recruiters radar, but it really does take more than just being a good player, how they handle themselves, how they take instruction, how they work with their teammates, and most important, HOW THEY DEAL WITH FAILURE......I do take the last one personally, as we speak about this constantly,  but in the end, it is up to the player to make that key adjustment, it's one thing for them to be told how to , when to, but these life experiences are whats going to OPEN or CLOSE doors for them, and hopefully these doors will continue to stay open long enough for them to make these critical adjustments and step right through them......I ENJOY WATCHING THEIR GROWTH AND SUCCESS ON THE FIELD, and hopefully the right person believes in them as much as I do......congrats on another strong weekend, get your rest, and I will cya on the diamond...........

I received a call Monday afternoon, I was told we have had an excellent reputation as a TEAM, PARENTS, and COACHES....we were invited back to play, but next time he will give ma a heads up as to what College recruiters will be coming out....our girls have the ability, but just as we have been invited, it can be taken away by how we handle ourselves, as soon as dates come out we will see if hopefully it will work for the group, and in the mean time hopefully we can work on our game to keep us on the radar.......

Game 1

vs Cal LadyHawks 8-1 US

Game 2

vs OC Synergy 18-4 US

Game 3

vs Power Surge 13-2 US

Game 4

vs E1 Prospects 7-5 THEM

3 wins and 1 loss.....

vs Cal LadyHawks

San Gabriel Valley produces lots of talented softball players....so we did not overlook this squad at all......Yuma softball Tourn had us excited to play, and we came out strong....22 pitches got us through 3 inn, 10 batters, and ZERO RUNS....with only 1 strike out, our defense was doing work......with the sticks, we hammered, Tazz 3bs, Turtle 1bs, KFC 2bs, Gemini 1bs, T Bird 1bs, Turbo 2bs, we blinked and 5 came across......we pushed 2 more across in the 3rd, and took 7-0 lead....Pep now in the circle,  3 inn of 2 hit ball and only 1 run, it allowed us to get off the field and make our turns with the sticks more enjoyable.....we had all three phases , STRONG PITCHING, STRONG DEFENSE, and TIMELY HITS....a recipe for a good result, job well done.....

LadyHawks------------1

PS Lil Sluggers--------8

Pitching: Turbo 3 inn/2 hits/1k-----Pep 3inn/1 run/2 hits/1k 

Hitting: Tazz 1-2/Turtle 2-3/KFC2-3/Gemini 2-2/ TBird 2-3/ Turbo 2-2/ KoolAid 1-2

vs OC Synergy

Orange County another strong area for softball, we last played this group when our girls were 10 yrs old, and it was same basic core still on the team......having won the coin flip, we had sticks first....Tazz jump started us with a 2 strike 1b, Turtle follows with a 3-0 1b of her own, KFC then doubled to deep left, then Gemini drove a ball to deep center for a home run.....all this with no outs, after a pop up, we started again, Turbo 1bs to center, Pep drives her to 2nd and KoolAid cashed her in with a 1b up the middle, 5-0 us.....with 2 down and runner on 2nd, we misplayed a fly ball, a run scores, we again misplay another fly ball and score again, we misplay routine ground ball and all of a sudden turned into 5-4 after 1.......our offense then took over, we had 10 hits, 3 walks, and a line drive to deep center off Squinky's bat for a 3 run home run, it only got about 8 feet off the ground but went out like a rocket.......we pushed another 13 runs across in two inn, kept them off the board, and finished the game in just 45 minutes........thats good work..........

OC Synergy---------4

PS Lil Sluggers-----18

Pitching-------------Tazz 2 inn/4 runs/3hits/1k-----KFC 1 inn/0 runs/ 0 hits

Hitting: Tazz 1-1/ Turtle 3-3/ KFC 3-3/ Gemini 1-2 HOME RUN/ TBird 1-3/ Turbo 2-3/ Pep 1-3/ KoolAid 2-2/ KanyKorn 1-2/ Squinky  1-1 HOME RUN/ Beetle 1-2 

vs Surge

Game I looked forward to most was vs Surge....our first friendly outside the Valley was at Diamond Valley when girls were 8 yrs old, but as always, I stuck them in 10u, and though we competed, Surge got us 7-4, I knew we had something special, and Coach Strandberg told me they looked good and pointed me in direction of lesser teams to play, I took it as a challenge, and signed up in friendlies they were attending, we just never got on schedule vs them til now, 8 yrs later and vs girls our own age......we won the flip, and immediately set the tone, Turtle laced a double to right- center, KFC followed with a 240' bomb, 2-0 after three batters......Gemini followed with line drive to left and TBird  followed with 235' bomb and it was 4-0 after 5 batters....Turbo then laced a 1b to center, Pep ropes a 2b to right center to score Turbo, KoolAid drove a ball to deep left and we now have a 6-0 lead as Pep scores on Sac Fly........this was gratifying as I had flashbacks to that Diamond Valley night where I was advised to play lesser opponents.....their turn with the bats, they had a one out 2b, we misplayed a fly ball, and follwed with 2 more hits, "Lady Mo" now on her feet and wanting to leave our dugout......our 2nd inn was just as strong as 1st....Squiny and Beetle reach on walks, Tazz hits Sac Fly and we are on the board again, Turtle 1bs to right, Gemini 2bs to left, TBird and Turbo 1b to center, Pep and KoolAid 1b up the middle, when smoke clears, we posted 13 runs in 2 inn, and now "Lady Mo" in the middle of our girls in the right dugout.......though we didn't score anymore, Tazz dealing and defense doing their job, we finished with a "Mercy Rule" game after 4 inn......one of our best games we've played in the past couple Seasons.......job well done, we clinched the #1 seed and a couple of extra hours of sleep, job well done........

Surge-----------2

PS Lil Sluggers--13

Pitching: Tazz 4 inn/ 2 runs/ 5 hits/ 1k

Hitting: Turtle 2-3/ KFC 1-3 HOME RUN/ Gemini 2-3/ TBird 2-3 HOME RUN/ Turbo 2-2/ Pep 2-2/ KoolAid 1-2/ Squinky bb/ Beetle 1-1

vs E1 Victorville Playoffs

We have played these girls a total of 4 times, we have won 3, and now lost 1.....I am always confident when we step onto the diamond......we can hit with the best of them, Tazz and Turbo have been as reliable as any pitcher we have ever faced, our biggest challenge, it's always been how do we show up on the defensive side of the ball.......after a hard fought 1b, we let a ball through the infield that could have easily been a double play, we make this play 9 out of 10 times, we just didn't connect....bad thing, it was followed a 220'bomb, we are now chasing 3 runs......we fought right back, KFC hammers 2 out 1b, Gemini chases her home with a two out 3b, TBird follows with a 1b up the middle, and we are back in the game......good pitching, good defense, we kept them off the board the next two inn....on our side KandyKorn hits a 2 out double off the left field fence, Squinky 1bs up the middle, and Beetle follows, we scratch another run........KFC then reached on a 1 out double, and TBird has her chance and hits 2 out 225' bomb to center, we have a small cushion with a 5-3 lead..............but that was it for our scoring, we only sent 6 hitters and went down 1-2-3 which kept us off the board......they peiced together 3 1bs and scored a run, now a 5-4 lead heading into last inn.....this is a game of inches.....after they get a runner, a line drive is hit a mere half inch too high.....half inch lower it turns into a double play, instead it kept the momentum going, and we finished 2 runs shy of the next round......we played good all weekend, we had our bad inn that put us down 3 runs, but we erased it with 5 runs of our own.....we just came up half an inch short, it happens, and we lose to a solid team......we come away knowing we competed strong, and anything can happen anytime you are on the diamond, maybe we will be in same position next time out and be able to make the play to close out the game, that is the next goal, and like always, I will have the confidence our girls will make it happen, cya on the diamond..........

E1-------------7

PS Lil Sluggers-5

Pitching- Tazz 5 inn/ 7 runs/8 hits/ 5 bbs

Hitting: KFC 2-2/ Gemini 1-2/ TBird 2-2/ Pep bb/ KandyKorn 1-2/ Squinky 1-2/ Beetle 1-2

After winning 21 STRAIGHT WORLD SERIES GAMES OVER 4 YEAR SPAN........this was our look after we tasted defeat.....not a good feeling, and hopefully we have much better days ahead......

Palm Springs LIL SLUGGERS Top finishes

***HS TOYS 4 TOTS CHAMPS 5-0***

***Klutch Friendly 2-0***

***Yuma Tournament 3-1***

***18u Riv CC Friendly 2-0***

***18u Clutch Friendly 2-0***

***18u E1 Prospects Friendly 2-1***

***18u Enigma Friendly —3-0***

***18u E1 Prospects Friendly —2-1***

***18u SC Crunch Friendly--3-0***

***HS Valley View High Friendly--3-0***

*** 2nd Place High School Div ***3-2***

***SC Crunch 16u 1st Place***5-0-2***

16u E1 Prospects Halloween Friendly 1-0-2***

***USSSA WORLD SERIES 7th PLACE***

16u Riv Rage Friendly - 2-0***

16u Intense Heat Friendly - 2-0***

16u So Cal Crunch Friendly - 3-0***

14u X Mas Classic ***Champions***

14u Strike Out Hunger ***Champions***

14u Yuma Border Wars 3 wins 1 loss

14u ***Riv Rage Friendly 3-0***

14u ***Vegas Fall Classic 3rd Place***

14u ***Labor Day Tourn. 2nd Place***

14u ***Pony Zone Champions***

14u ***Pony Super Region Champions***

14u ***Pony Inland Region Champions***

14u ***Pony Desert Region Champions***

14u *** Mo Valley All Star Friendly 3-0***

14u ***14u/HS Ontario All Stars - 3-0***

14u ***USA JO Classic - 5th Place***

14u ***Pony Select League 10-0****

14u ***OutKast Friendly 3-0***

14u ***Wash Elite friendly 2-0***

14u  ***IE DYNASTY 02 Friendly 2-0***

14u***Outkast Friendly 2-1***

14U ***Mo Valley Select X Mas Tournament CHAMPIONS***

14u ***Valley Wide Strike Out Hunger 2nd place ***

14u ***Halloween Tournament 2nd place***

12u ***Big Time Softball Friendly 2-1***

14u ***OutKasts Friendly 3-0***

14u ***LQ Desert Velocity Friendly 2-1***

14u ***Outkasts Friendly 2-1***

12U **PONY WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS**

12u ***Pony Zone Region 2nd Place***

12u ***Pony Super Region Champions***

12u ***Pony Desert Region Champions***

12u***Pony Region 1 All Stars 2nd Place***

12U***Valley Wide All Star Friendly 2-0***

12U***Upland All Stars Friendly 2-1***

12U ***LQ SELECT Freindly 3-0***

12u ***Phenom Friendly 3-0***

12u ***SC Dynasty Friendly 2-0***

12u ***Victory USA Friendly 2-1***

12U *** AZ STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2ND PLACE***

12U ***March OC Illusion Friendly 2-1***

12u ***Feb Desert Valley Kats Friendly 3 -1 ***

12u ***Feb Super Bowl Friendly 2-0-1***

12u ***Jan Sudden Impact Friendly  3-0***

12u ***Jan IE Elite Friendly 3-0***

12u ***Jan Riverside Ice Friendly  3-0***

12u ***IE Elite Toys 4 Tots***Silver 2nd Place***

12u ***Vegas Winter Classic***Consolation 2nd Place***

12u ***Strike Out Hunger Tournament***CHAMPIONS***

12u ***Nov Outkasts Friendly - 3-0***

12u ***Nov Dynastly Friendly - 3-0***

12u ***Oct Ohana Tigers Friendly - 2-1***

12u ***Oct Sudden Impact Friendly - 3-0***

12u ***Sept Sudden Impact Friendly - 3-0***

12u ***Sept Dynasty Friendly - 3-0***

12U ***PONY WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS***

12U ***PONY ZONE ALL STAR *CHAMPIONS*

12u ***PONY Super Region All Star ***3rd Place***

12U ***PONY INLAND REGION ALL STAR *CHAMPIONS*

12U ***PONY DESERT REGION ALL STAR *CHAMPIONS*

12U ***Az Grand Slam Tournament 4-2 ***3rd Place***

12u ***College Junior Classic - ***2nd Place***

12u ***Laces Friendly 3-0***

12u ***Sudden Impact Friendly 2-1***

12u ***Knuckle Up Friendly 2-1***

10u ***Toys 4 Tots Anaheim Synergy Champs**CHAMPIONS**

10U ***Pre-Turkey Triple Crown Champions***CHAMPIONS***

12u ***Knuckle Up Friendly 3-0***

12u ***Lace Em Up Tournament****2nd Place****

12u ***Knuckle Up Friendly 2-1***

10u ***Lace Em Up Champions****CHAMPIONS*

10u ***Pony World Series Champions***

10U Pony Super Region All Star Tournament*CHAMPIONS*

10U Pony Section 2 All Star Tournament*CHAMPIONS*

10u Upland All Star Memorial Day Tourn*4th Place*

10u Cinco De Mayo All Star Warm Up *2nd Place*

10u KnuckleUp Winter Tournament---*Champions*

10u Pajama Jam --- *3rd Place*

10u Rampage Turkey Trot *Champions*

10u Valley Wide Strike Out Hunger *Champions*

10u Laces Lace-Em Up *Champions*

10u Kapu Halloween Bash *Champions*

10u Mo Valley Pony Section *2nd Place*

10u Palm Springs Pony Desert Cup *Champions*

10u Palm Springs Rec Ball Division *Champions* (only 8 yrs old)

10u Indio Toys-4-Tots X-Mas *Co-Champions* (only 8 yrs old)

8u Pony World Series ***3rd Place***

8u Pony District *Champions*

8u Pony Section *Champions*

8u Palm Springs Rec Ball Division *Champions* (only 7 yrs old)