THE LINE DRIVE. Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association. Brad Ceranski, WFSCA President. January 15, 2018 VOLUME 6

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THE LINE DRIVE January 15, 2018 VOLUME 6 Brad Ceranski President Cindy Suess Vice President Clinic Director Greg Lampe Executive Director Awards Committee Chairperson Tammy Rademacher Secretary

1 THE LINE DRIVE January 15, 2018 VOLUME 6 Brad Ceranski President Cindy Suess Vice President Clinic Director Greg Lampe Executive Director Awards Committee Chairperson Tammy Rademacher Secretary Website Jane Briehl Treasurer Tom Drohner Border Battle Coordinator District 1: Large School Rep. Dave Bjorge District 1: Small School Rep. Tim Whitford All-Star Game Coordinator Sue Stoltenberg Academic All-State Coordinator Newsletter Coordinator District 2: Small School Rep. Jeff Agnew Hall of Fame Chairperson Jeff Hodgson District 3: Small School Rep. John Ruffolo Clinic Vendor Coordinator District 4: Large School Rep. Scott Ritzema District 4: Small School Rep. Jared Faherty All-Star Game Coordinator Julie Detjen District 2: Large School Rep. Dan Bayreuther District 3: Large School Rep. Message from the President I hope 2018 is off to an incredible start and that your excitement is building for the upcoming softball season. Cindy Suess has put together a spectacular lineup for our coaches clinic on February 24 th and 25 th at Chula Vista Resort. We all owe Cindy a debt of gratitude for the hard work she puts into providing us with such an outstanding educational and networking opportunity each year. After last year s season, Tim Whitford, Jeff Agnew and Roger Schliewe all stepped down from their positions as District Representatives. I would like to take a moment to thank them for their excellent work representing the schools in their district. We are extremely excited to let you know that they will continue to serve the athletes and coaches and help the WFSCA in other ways. Tim will be serving as an All-Star Game Coordinator, Jeff will continue as the Hall of Fame Chair and Roger will be sharing his knowledge as one of our speakers at this year s clinic. They are incredible individuals who we are fortunate to have volunteering their time and talents. During our fall meeting, the Board was charged with selecting three new district representatives. We are very excited to welcome Julie Detjen (Fox Valley Lutheran), Dan Bayreuther (Janesville Craig) and Scott Ritzema (Laconia) to the Executive Board. I have no doubt their passion and ideas will strengthen our Board and enhance the softball experience for the student athletes and coaches in our state. Jeff Agnew is busy putting together another excellent program to honor our four tremendous coaches who will be inducted into the WFSCA Hall of Fame this year. We will again be starting off the banquet with a social for Hall of Fame members. Thank you, Jeff, for all your work to make this a special event for the inductees and their families. Please join us in honoring the legendary coaches on Saturday evening of the clinic. The input we have received over the years from our membership has been extremely valuable. Surveys and conversations over the past several years have been very helpful in decisions for our sport at the state level. Please contact your district representatives, Greg Lampe, or myself, with any suggestions on how we can continue to grow as an organization. See you at the clinic! Brad Ceranski, WFSCA President Inside this Issue: Message from the President Hall of Fame Inductees 2-3 WFSCA Hall of Fame Coaches 4 Changes for Keeping Deadlines A Priority 6 Coaches Clinic Speakers: Monica Abbott 7 Tony Abbatine 8 Amanda Chidester 8 Randy Schneider State Qualifiers Being a Good Teammate 12 Important Dates 12

Page 2 WFSCA Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees The would like to congratulate the 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee Class: Don Bjelland Grantsburg HS Don has been Head Coach at Grantsburg High School

The Pirates playoff record is 56-16 and includes 15 regional titles, 8 sectional titles, state championship titles in 2006 & 2009, and state runner-up in 2016.

2 Page 2 WFSCA Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees The would like to congratulate the 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee Class: Don Bjelland Grantsburg HS Don has been Head Coach at Grantsburg High School for 21 years, having started the Pirate softball program in He has coached in 466 games and has a career record of The Pirates playoff record is and includes 15 regional titles, 8 sectional titles, state championship titles in 2006 & 2009, and state runner-up in Don has 17 conference championships and coached an All-Star team in 2004 & Tom Drohner Stevens Point Area Senior High Tom has coached at SPASH for 20 years. He has coached in 533 games during that time picking 468 wins and continues to coach with a current record of through the 2017 season. He has won 19 Conference Championships, 17 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships. Under his tenure, SPASH advanced to the State Tournament 14 times and has won the State Championship in 01-04, 08, 09, 11 and 16, with a Runner-Up in He is the only coach in Wisconsin State softball history to win 4 consecutive State Championship from He has helped develop 48 first team All-State players, won 18 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference Championships (WVC), coached 2 Gatorade players of the year, and 3 WFSCA players of the year, and 12 WVC Players of the Year. He was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Coach of Year for the State of Wisconsin four times 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2011.

Page 3 WFSCA Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees (cont d) Doug Mock Oakfield HS Doug coached varsity softball for 21 years at Oakfield High School.

Oakfield advanced to the State Tournament 9 times and won the State Championship in 1997, 2001 and 2009, with a Runner-Up in 2004.

3 Page 3 WFSCA Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees (cont d) Doug Mock Oakfield HS Doug coached varsity softball for 21 years at Oakfield High School. He has coached in 484 games with a record of His teams have won 8 Conference Championships, 17 Regional Championships and 9 Sectional Championships. Oakfield advanced to the State Tournament 9 times and won the State Championship in 1997, 2001 and 2009, with a Runner-Up in Cindy Suess Oshkosh North High School UW-Oshkosh Verona Area High School Cindy coached softball at Verona Area High School for 12 seasons. During that time, she directed the Wildcats to a record, including 5 State Tournament appearances and 8 Badger Conference Championships. Verona finished 2nd at the WI- AA Division 1 State Tournament in 2001 and Cindy was Head Coach at UW-Oshkosh for 9 seasons; leading the Titans to a record of (a 62% winning percentage). She was named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2007 and UW-Oshkosh finished in the top three of the WIAC 6 times under Suess s leadership, including a league title in That year, she went and reached the Regional Championship game one victory away from the NCAA Division III World Series. The Titans finished 2nd in the WIAC in 2005, 2006 and For the past 4 years, Cindy has coached the Oshkosh North Spartans to a record, 2 State Tournament appearances and a Conference Title in 2017.

4 Page 4 Hall of Fame Coaches 2018 Don Bjelland, Grantsburg Tom Drohner, Stevens Point Doug Mock, Oakfield Cindy Suess, Oshkosh 2017 Denny Coppernoll, River Valley Tim Hering, Whitewater Jeff Setz, New Berlin Eisenhower 2012 Kris Allison, Westosha Central Mike Regner, LaCrosse Central Del Schneeberger, Johnson Creek/Fort Atkinson 2016 Dave Keel, Homestead Roger Schliewe, Horicon Jim Wickert, McFarland & Madison College 2015 Tim Pederson, Amherst Bob Sulser, Madison Memorial & Beloit Turner Marv Youngbeck, Mayville 2014 John Schroeder, Beloit Memorial Glenda Smith, Tigerton Don Vruwink, Milton 2013 Dale Buvid, Monroe Paul Olson, Fort Atkinson Jim Turner, Altoona 2011 Jim Haines, Pepin Steve Ryan, Waunakee Steve Schmikla, McFarland Diane Yager, DC Everest & Seneca 2010 Greg Lampe, Oak Creek Bob LeCaptain, Denmark & Green Bay West John Malin, Kimberly Russell Shaub, Middleton Bob Tomlinson, Poynette Rod Wilterdink, Cedarburg 2009 Tory Acheson Whitnall, UW-Parkside/TN Tech Phillip Adam, Ashwaubenon David and Mary Lou Jones, Platteville Pete Kopplin, Marshfield Darrell Laschen, Loyal Debbie Malueg, Marion

Page 5 Changes for 2018 by Brad Ceranski, WFSCA President The WFSCA Executive Board discussed several topics for the upcoming season during the June meeting.

Recommendations from this meeting were sent to the WIAA Softball Coaches Advisory and on to the committee process which culminates with the WIAA Board of Control.

four teams and randomly draw the remaining teams. Divisions 2 through 5 will continue to use predetermined placements in the brackets.

The waiver allows players to play three innings in a game without it counting toward their game maximum.

Starting in 2019, the regional game schedule for Divisions 2 through 5 will change from the current Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday format to a Thursday (of the prior week),

The WIAA Board of Control approved three recommendations at the October meeting.

5 Page 5 Changes for 2018 by Brad Ceranski, WFSCA President The WFSCA Executive Board discussed several topics for the upcoming season during the June meeting. Input was taken from survey results, discussion with coaches and parameters in other sports. Recommendations from this meeting were sent to the WIAA Softball Coaches Advisory and on to the committee process which culminates with the WIAA Board of Control. The Board of Control approved following three recommendations related to softball at their October meeting: This season the Division 1 State Tournament will seed the top four teams and randomly draw the remaining teams. Divisions 2 through 5 will continue to use predetermined placements in the brackets. The maximum roster limit allowed to request an extra -inning waiver was raised from 18 to 20. The waiver allows players to play three innings in a game without it counting toward their game maximum. Without the waiver players are allowed one inning without it counting toward the twenty-six game maximum. Starting in 2019, the regional game schedule for Divisions 2 through 5 will change from the current Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday format to a Thursday (of the prior week), Tuesday, Thursday format. Division 1 regionals will be on Tuesday and Thursday instead of the present Wednesday and Friday schedule. The WIAA Board of Control approved three recommendations at the October meeting. We would like to thank our entire membership for their input on these and many other issues in our sport. The information gathered through survey data and conversations with coaches is vital to the recommendation process. Please contact your district representatives, Greg Lampe or myself, with any questions or ideas for future recommendations. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention how fortunate we are to have Associate Director, Stephanie Hauser, working with the WFSCA. She is always willing to listen to our concerns and work with us to find creative solutions. She is an incredible ambassador of the sport of softball in our state.

Page 6 Keeping Deadlines a Priority by Greg Lampe, WIAA Executive Director & Awards Chairperson Another softball season will soon be underway.

Along with that energy and passion, there may be another emotion emerging as the season approaches: trepidation.

overwhelming at times. Every year WFSCA offers players opportunities for post-season participation and awards simply because deadlines are missed by their Head Coach.

6 Page 6 Keeping Deadlines a Priority by Greg Lampe, WIAA Executive Director & Awards Chairperson Another softball season will soon be underway. High school coaches are already feeling the excitement and anticipation of getting back out on the field. Along with that energy and passion, there may be another emotion emerging as the season approaches: trepidation. Softball season is filled with daily stressors: trying to juggle school commitments, planning practices, dealing with weather interruptions, etc Scheduling and game day stress can become, well, overwhelming at times. Every year WFSCA offers players opportunities for post-season participation and awards simply because deadlines are missed by their Head Coach. Don t let this happen to you or your players. One stressor we can all do a better job at managing is meeting deadlines. As a former Head Coach, I remember the difficulty in meeting deadlines and trying to keep them in perspective. If you re anything like me, you may start the season out with high expectations, but once the season begins some of those deadlines inevitably get put on the back burner and forgotten. It doesn t have to be that way! One suggestion I d like to offer: get yourself a bright Yellow folder and write WFSCA Deadlines across the front in big, bold letters. Put that folder up on your bulletin board so you see it on a daily basis. If you don t like the Yellow Folder idea, that s okay. Find something that works for you. Technology offers many ways to keep track of important dates and deadlines. The ultimate goal is to find a way that works for you. Manage your deadlines so that you can spend your time where it is most needed: developing your players and enjoying the season. To you and your teams I wish you much success and a fantastic 2018 season. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact any WFSCA board member. We are here for you. Every year the WFSCA offers players many opportunities for post season participation and awards which are posted and updated on the WFSCA website. As the Head Coach, make it a priority and a responsibility to check the website periodically for those deadline registrations. Do this for your players, especially. Every year we have deserving young ladies miss out on opportunities such as All District, All State, Senior All Stars selection and All State Academic

Page 7 2018 WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24 th 25 th Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells SPEAKER: Monica Abbott Team USA Pitcher National Pro Fastpitch MVP Monica Abbott

During her senior season, she set the record for the most strikeouts in a Division I softball season and became the NCAA Division I Softball all-time leader in career wins,

Monica received the 2007 Honda Sports Award for the Top Collegiate Softball Player in the country and was named the 2007 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Team USA finished with a silver medal, losing to Japan in the championship game. Monica went on to play professional softball.

7 Page WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24 th 25 th Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells SPEAKER: Monica Abbott Team USA Pitcher National Pro Fastpitch MVP Monica Abbott pitched for the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball team from 2004 to During her senior season, she set the record for the most strikeouts in a Division I softball season and became the NCAA Division I Softball all-time leader in career wins, strikeouts, shutouts, innings pitched, games started and games pitched. Monica received the 2007 Honda Sports Award for the Top Collegiate Softball Player in the country and was named the 2007 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. She was also named the 2007 Women s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year. In 2008, she was a member of Team USA and competed in the Beijing Olympics. Team USA finished with a silver medal, losing to Japan in the championship game. Monica went on to play professional softball. She has played in the Japan Softball League, with the Chicago Bandits, and is currently playing on a National Pro Fastpitch team, the Houston-area Scrap Yard Dawgs. In a 2016 espnw.com article, reporter Graham Hays said, No one else can do what Monica Abbott does with a softball in her left hand. It can be argued that no one ever could. She is the most valuable player in the world for one simple reason: Pitchers these days struggle to dominate the sport. She doesn t struggle.

Page 8 2018 WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24 th 25 th Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells SPEAKER: Tony Abbatine Frozen Ropes Softball Clinician/Coach Team USA Coaching Staff Tony Abbatine

His unique communication style and training techniques resonate with kids.

8 Page WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24 th 25 th Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells SPEAKER: Tony Abbatine Frozen Ropes Softball Clinician/Coach Team USA Coaching Staff Tony Abbatine retired from practicing law in Since that time, he has his passion to teach baseball and softball into a training program and instructional model called Frozen Ropes. His unique communication style and training techniques resonate with kids. Tony has appeared as a guest analyst for TBS sports during the American League National Divisional Series, and on ESPN Radio sharing his insight on player development at the major league level. He has produced a series of instructional baseball and softball videos and is a regular on the national and international speaking circuit. Tony provides coaching instruction, pitch recognition and vision training to all levels of competition, both nationally and internationally. This past fall, Tony began a new position at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Rockland County, New York. He is teaching Sports Psychology at the undergraduate level. He is also currently overseeing the mental and visual skills for Team USA Softball as they prepare for the 2020 Olympics. SPEAKER: Amanda Chidester Team USA Catcher University of Michigan All-American & Big Ten Catcher Amanda played softball at the University of Michigan. During her college career, she was two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2011, 2012), two-time NFCA All-American (2009, 2011), Michigan s Big Ten Medal of Honor winner (2012), All Big Ten First Team (2009, 2011, 2012). She finished her career ranked 2nd in RBI, 2nd in grand slams, 4th in slugging percentage, 5th in home runs, 9th in hits and 10th in runs scored. She is currently a member of Team USA, and in 2016, led the team with 7 home runs, 18 RBI and 11 runs scored for a.591 batting average and a slugging percentage.

Page 9 2018 WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24 th 25 th Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells SPEAKER: Randy

& UW Badger Coach Head Coach Ankeny Centennial High School Softball America Softball Coach/Clinician Randy has spent the

Along with coaching, he has traveled the country speaking at numerous NFCA conventions and National Championships.

Productions, which include Biomechanics and Physics of Hitting and Practice Planning.

9 Page WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24 th 25 th Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells SPEAKER: Randy Schneider Former Valparaiso, Iowa St. & UW Badger Coach Head Coach Ankeny Centennial High School Softball America Softball Coach/Clinician Randy has spent the last 16 years coaching as both an associate and assistant head coach a the Division I level. Along with coaching, he has traveled the country speaking at numerous NFCA conventions and National Championships. He is an accomplished offensive specialist and has produced many instructional videos through Championship Video Productions, which include Biomechanics and Physics of Hitting and Practice Planning. His outside of the box thinking has made him nationally known as one of the best offensive specialists in the country today. At Softball America, in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Randy provides softball camps, private instruction, small group and team training. His company s mission is to passionately develop young women to be the best they can be in the sport of softball and life through positive, high level training. Coaching Resume: Valparaiso Head Coach, Wisconsin Associate Head Coach, Iowa State Assistant Coach,

Page 10 Congratulations to all of the 2017 State Softball Qualifiers!

Cardinals Division 1 Head Coach: Jenny Jacobson Head Coach: Kurt Raguse Head Coach: Lou Sanicola Head Coach: Jeff Trask Head Coach: Cindy Suess

Bulldogs Turner Trojans Division 2 Head Coach: Jeff Gosse Head Coach: Tony Porath Head Coach: Regan Peters Division 2 Champions Rice Lake Warriors

10 Page 10 Congratulations to all of the 2017 State Softball Qualifiers! Wilmot Union Panthers Germantown Warhawks Menomonee Falls Indians Oak Creek Knights Oshkosh North Spartans Stevens Point Panthers Sun Prairie Cardinals Division 1 Head Coach: Jenny Jacobson Head Coach: Kurt Raguse Head Coach: Lou Sanicola Head Coach: Jeff Trask Head Coach: Cindy Suess Head Coach: Tom Drohner Head Coach: Jamie Olson Division 1 Champions Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts Head Coach: Tim Roehring Kewaskum Indians New London Bulldogs Turner Trojans Division 2 Head Coach: Jeff Gosse Head Coach: Tony Porath Head Coach: Regan Peters Division 2 Champions Rice Lake Warriors Head Coach: Ryan Sutton Division 3 Bloomer Blackhawks Head Coach: Jason Steinmetz Weyauwega-Fremont Indians Head Coach: Todd Breuer Marshall Cardinals Head Coach: Erin Young Division 3 Champions Laconia Spartans Head Coach: Scott Ritzema

Page 11 Congratulations to all of the 2017 State Softball Qualifiers!

David Wilcox Head Coach: Ann Molski Division 4 Champions Juda/Albany Panthers Head Coach: Bill Davis

Central Catholic Macks Head Coach: Chelsea Rosenow Head Coach: Jeff Hodgson Head Coach: Greg Bratina

11 Page 11 Congratulations to all of the 2017 State Softball Qualifiers! Phillips Loggers Shiocton Chiefs Pacelli Cardinals Division 4 Head Coach: Blake Edwards Head Coach: David Wilcox Head Coach: Ann Molski Division 4 Champions Juda/Albany Panthers Head Coach: Bill Davis Belmont Braves Blair-Taylor Wildcats Wausaukee Rangers Division 5 Division 5 Champions McDonell Central Catholic Macks Head Coach: Chelsea Rosenow Head Coach: Jeff Hodgson Head Coach: Greg Bratina Head Coach: Sue Stoltenberg What a great place to end a season. Good luck and best wishes for a successful and enjoyable 2018 season!

Page 12 Being a Good Teammate As coaches, we often stress to each of our players

We all can make the mistake of confusing being friends with being a good teammate.

advice to pass along to your players, copy and paste this link in your web

com/2017/10/04/ are-you-a-good-team-mate-softball-is-for-girls/ SAVE THE DATES!

June 1: June 7-9: June 11 & 12: June 15: Mid-July: Coaches Clinic First Day of

Regionals D-2, D-3, D-4 & D-5 Regionals Sectionals for All Divisions Deadline for

12 Page 12 Being a Good Teammate As coaches, we often stress to each of our players be a good teammate, but do our players really understand what this means? We all can make the mistake of confusing being friends with being a good teammate. For a great article that digs deeper into this distinction and offers some great advice to pass along to your players, copy and paste this link in your web browser: are-you-a-good-team-mate-softball-is-for-girls/ SAVE THE DATES! February 24-25: March 12: April 13: May 23 & 25: May 22, 23 & 25: May 29 & 31: June 1: June 7-9: June 11 & 12: June 15: Mid-July: Coaches Clinic First Day of Softball Practice Deadline to Register Seniors for State All-Star Games D-1 Regionals D-2, D-3, D-4 & D-5 Regionals Sectionals for All Divisions Deadline for All District Nominations State Tournament Senior All Star Games, Wisconsin Dells Academic All State Nominations Due Coaches Awards Due Border Battle

THE LINE DRIVE. Message from the President. Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association. Jeff Hodgson WFSCA President. February 1, 2016 VOLUME 4

THE LINE DRIVE. Message from the President. Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association. Jeff Hodgson WFSCA President. February 1, 2016 VOLUME 4 THE LINE DRIVE February 1, 2016 VOLUME 4 Jeff Hodgson President Cindy Suess Vice President Clinic Director Greg Lampe Awards Committee Chairperson Tammy Rademacher Secretary Website Jane Briehl Treasurer