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Happy Holidays 2010/2011 Wisconsin Twisters Newsletter
Holiday Greetings to all of our Community Partners and their families
We wish all the best to you in the coming year for your family and your business. We also thank you once again for your generous support and commitment to our fastpitch softball program. We cannot thank you often enough, but hope you realize how important your contributions are to our organization. All of us hope that in 2011 you will be able to continue to support our teams and find some time to come see us play during the summer. Also, we are trying to compile some “tried and true” family favorite recipes for our Winter Twister cookbook, and would be delighted to add some from our sponsors. Just send your recipe by email to Deb Mikolajczyk at debeatle@aol.com before the end of the year.
WISCONSIN TWISTERS HOSTED 1ST ANNUAL MID-SUMMER BASH TOURNAMENT
The weekend of August 6th-8thth we hosted 14U, 16U and 18U teams in the 1st Annual Mid-Summer Bash
tournament at the Raymond School diamonds. Raymond Baseball Association and Raymond Elementary
School are the most gracious “hosts”for this and our Spring Fling tournament. We entered 4 Twister
teams into our tournament and were amazed and excited by their success. The 18U and 14U DB each
won in their age bracket and took the trophy for 1st Place. The 14U SC team was proud to take 3rd
place and the 16U team also brought home a 2nd place trophy.
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TWISTER HIGH SCHOOL HEROICS
This time of year we congratulate all of our Twister’s who have played Volleyball and are currently
on their basketball teams, and hold our breath that they don’t hurt themselves while contributing.
We applaud their participation in many activities at their school but cannot help our softball bias.
TWISTER COACHING HIGHLIGHTS – FIRST HALL OF FAME AWARDS ANNOUNCED
At the end of the 2010 season picnic three Twister Coaches were honored for their contributions
and enthusiasm for making the Wisconsin Twister’s the “place to play fastpitch”. The first honoree
was Lou Aponte, founder, Head coach, Director of Coaching, Ethics Advisor, ASA Contact,
Umpire contact, Tournament Director and great softball fundamentals teacher. Secondly,
DiAnna Johnson was recognized for her endless support and effort to advance the
Wisconsin Twisters as a premiere fastpitch league. She has been Head Coach at 12U, 14U and
16U levels, Wisconsin Twister President, Sponsorship Committee advisor, Board Member, Website
creator and administrator, Tournament Organizer, League Contact, Photographer, Uniform and
Spiritwear Designer, wife of 18U Head Coach, mother of 18U player. The hours spent working going
through handbooks, language, banners, spiritwear and uniforms, financials cannot be underestimated.
We thank and honor both Hall of Fame Coaches for all they have brought to our organization.
The third Twister Coach honored was Stu Feit, Coach of the Year, for dealing with the hardships
of fluctuating membership on the 16U team, and competing so hard with a team that had never
played together. He brought them together from various high school programs and got them
some success on the field.
Callie M, Manager of the 14U SC team finished her second season of NCAA women’s tennis, and is
scheduled for two exciting coaching classes at UW-Stout in the spring, Coaching Youth Athletics,
and Coaching Women’s fastpitch softball.
Cristina A. has transferred to University of Wisconsin Parkside as a Chem major, and hopes to begin
coaching fundamentals for our younger teams in the spring. Both of these two young coaches were
original members of the first Twister team, and have since had their numbers retired and are the
first two inductees in the Wisconsin Twister’s Hall of Fame.
TWISTER PLAYER CONGRATULATIONS
Some of our teams are going to try and make a difference this holiday by performing some community
service. There are a couple of teams who will be requesting “Needy Family” opportunities from the
Salvation Army and there are a couple of teams who plan to spend time volunteering at an area soup
kitchen. Another team has sent some requested items to a soldier overseas. The Wisconsin Twister
Holiday Party will feature our Competitive Food Drive – each team trying to bring in the most
non-perishable items. We are hoping to have a huge delivery to a local food pantry.
There are three Twister players who are active in the highly successful Oak Creek Knights Marching Band, Claire B (14U SC), Shannon S (16UGD) and Lauren C (16U GD). Claire B also made JV Tennis team as a freshman, and took 2ND place at State Power Lifting Club, the A Honor Roll and is in her 3rd year of the District’s Chinese program. Kimmy J took 1st place at the State Power Lifting Club tournament. On another musical note, Autumn K. (14UMRT) is a member of Gilmore's Swing and Madrigal Choir, they took 1st place in both categories at a national competition held in Tennessee in March. Autumn also is A Honor Roll, a member of the all star team for rec. ball and, won the fastest pitch contest at the all star competition event. Jaelen W., a freshman at Oak Creek has played volleyball, basketball, celebrated her Quincenera (15th birthday celebration for young ladies of Mexican heritage), participates on the forensic team, Spanish Club and is in her 3rd year of the District’s Chinese program.
A member of our new 18U SP team, Kayla D, recently was inducted into The National Honor Society,
made 1st team all conference and MVP for her HS volleyball team. She is one of many new faces we
are just getting to know.
One of our 12U players, currently holds a 4.2 GPA, and works hard to maintain her grades and
participates on several sports
Teams, Eva B. who’s parents are both Head Coaches for the Wisconsin Twister. Her older sister,
Zada has lead the way also with great grades and leadership on her sports teams. Another 12U,
Jackie B is an A Honor Roll student and plays basketball, and trumpet in the school band.
Kim G and Bri M (18U BS) both spend the off season working hard on hitting and fielding skills with
their dad who is not only a Sponsorship Director, but Board Member and Assistant Coach. Their little
sister Monica works hard in the off season as well, playing at the 14U level this coming year.
Sam K., and outstanding pitcher from Racine on the 18U BS team has been spending her off season erfecting a new pitch and has been accepted to West Virginia State University where she plans to play softball.
Two other members of the 18U BS team are patiently awaiting spring and softball. Katie I has been
named captain of her Varsity High School team, and Aly P. away at Concordia University is doing
off-season lifting to prepare for the coming season. Also on the 18U BS team, Amber J, has been
busy with JV tennis, managing h.s. football, Peer Mentoring and
Tutoring. We are always proud to see when our players perform these types of service activities.
Many other Twister players are busy with student government, peer programs, drama, art and
music programs. We will continue to highlight their accomplishments with each newsletter. We
are quite proud to boast about the quality people who we have on our rosters.
NFL MANIA/SUPER BOWL – SUPER MATCH TICKETS
Dave Chars from our sponsor committee has worked tirelessly to continue a wonderful fund-raiser
for the Twisters, similar to the Hoops Mania that was organized around March Madness, this one is
based on the NFL games each week. This year to date we have had one really big winner - $500.00…
and hope that there are more to come. Dave is getting together a Super Bowl card fundraiser based
on the “squares” pools seen during football season. The cost for these tickets will be $5.00 ea.
And you can get them through Bill Gemmel (Director of Sponsorship) – get your tickets early!
HIGHLIGHTS ON OUR SPONSORS
We are starting a new sponsorship season drive and would love to spread the word about your
business or service on this newsletter and to our families. So please send any information you
would like to see on our newsletter as soon as possible for submission in a future newsletter.
We look forward to learning more about your company or family.
In February, hold the dates for the last weekend of the month. Two of our very dear sponsors hold
annual spaghetti dinner fund-raisers, which we are very committed to supporting and publicizing for
them. The Old Timers Athletic Club ( O.T.A.C) hosts their dinner every year on the last Saturday of
February and Raymond School PTO hosts their spaghetti dinner on the last Sunday of the month.
We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy some fun and great food for a good cause.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please contact Bill Gemmel for the OTAC, and Deb
Mikolajczyk for the Raymond School tickets.
LEO T. JACKSON JR. SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANNOUNCED
Originally Leo’s family (the Mikolajczyk’s) donated to the Sponsorship fund as a memorial after his
passing, in October of 2009. This year the Sponsorship committee started thinking about turning
this into an annual Scholarship Fund which the family will continue to gift each year, as well as the
addition of specific fund-raising opportunities. The criteria for winning one of the two annual
scholarships will be based upon: Service, Academics, Leadership and Athletics. Players will have
to be entering college in the coming fall season, and a member of the Twisters for at least 2 full years.
They will write an essay to explain how they qualify and exemplify these qualities.They will be required
to provide documentation for history of community service and academic success. Leo Jackson would
be very proud of this wonderful opportunity being given to young ladies in his honor. He was born
in 1930 southern Arkansas in a logging camp, and worked and studied and served in the U.S. Navy,
graduated with honors from Oklahoma State University and got his Masters Degree in Electrical
Engineering to provide a better, easier life for his family than he had known growing up. Leo was a
champion of United Way and Junior Achievement programs at Wisconsin Telephone and Ameritech Inc.,
as well as a sponsor for many major charities and a Regent for MSOE. His life was well-lived and full
of service to his country and community. He loved sports, which he could not play growing up
because of his chores and working…so this honor is very special because he loved that his
granddaughters could afford to participate in sports and community clubs outside of school.
This annual gift will give that forward to other daughters and granddaughters.
KIND WORDS FROM OUR COACHES AND FAMILIES
From time to time a coach will receive an email from a parent or player that we feel should be
acknowledged and highlighted here. This edition, we have a few… the first from Lindsay Jones,
our “resident” pitching coach: Hi DiAnna, How have you been these days? What is new?
Of course I hear about you so much indirectly through all those that I work with and I have to say, f
rom what I've heard it sounds like the travel team is really growing and starting to make a name for itself!
How exciting! You and Brian really have done a great job and have come a long way and so much is thanks
to you guys. I also have been meaning to thank you for all that support and gratitude you have given me
over the years.
I was just thinking about it the other day and I really appreciate all that you two have done and I admire
the opportunities you've created for the young girls in this area. Keep up the good work! How is Amber
doing? Tell her I say hello :) Really that's all I am writing for. I just wanted to say hi. I hope the rest of
this year goes well for you.
The second came from our 12U coach and is a great reminder for us all:
I like the Twisters so much because it is not just about the “win”. It is about building the girls skills and
confidence both on and off the field. Teaching the love of the game and have fun during the process.
There will always be a winner and loser. If they (we) continue to learn and improve…the score really
doesn’t matter. Of course I want us to be competitive, but if we give it our all, we did the best we
could at that given time – no matter the score – we win!
Next, we got this email from another fastpitch organization and our fabulous t-shirt vendor –
Gus’s Grafix: Hi Deb, We have developed a group of very faithful partners in the last five years, and
we treasure those relationships.
The Twister group is definitely one of those. Your program plays competitive softball, and manages
to keep values and respect at the top of the list. We also have a great time while we're at it! Gus Grafix
will always support your events and your program. Just let us know the dates, and we'll plan on being
there. I was really amazed at the sales for the Midsummer Bash, but that is because of the Twisters positive
attitude about what we do. I hope it is OK if I share you opinion about us, because your comments mean
a lot to us. Have a great off-season. Oh yeah, there is no off-season anymore. We play Fall Ball, then
Winter Tournaments in the Dome, then Winter Training, then we start all over again.
I'm sure we'll run across each other soon.
Take Care, and Thanks,
John, Jeanelle, and Gus-Gus
FINALLY…A SAVE THE DATE: The 2nd Annual Twister Golf Outing - August 13, 2011 at South Hills, Save the date. Details available at http://www.eteamz.com/wisconsintwisters/news/index.cfm?cat=661384. We are looking for raffle items/door prizes, if you would like to make a donation please contact Rick Ballew at rballew@neo-brake.com
THE ENTIRE TWISTER ORGANIZATION WISHES YOU THE VERY HAPPIEST AND HEALTHIEST OF HOLIDAY SEASONS
LEO T. JACKSON JR. SCHOLARSHIP FUND
LEO T. JACKSON JR. SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANNOUNCED
Originally Leo’s family (the Mikolajczyk’s) donated to the Sponsorship fund as a memorial after his
passing, in October of 2009. This year the Sponsorship committee started thinking about turning this
into an annual Scholarship Fund which the family will continue to gift each year, as well as the addition
of specific fund-raising opportunities. The criteria for winning one of the two annual scholarships will
be based upon: Service, Academics, Leadership and Athletics. Players will have to be entering college
in the coming fall season, and a member of the Twisters for at least 2 full years. They will write an
essay to explain how they qualify and exemplify these qualities. They will be required to provide
documentation for history of community service and academic success. Leo Jackson would be very
proud of this wonderful opportunity being given to young ladies in his honor. He was born in 1930
southern Arkansas in a logging camp, and worked and studied and served in the U.S. Navy, graduated
with honors from Oklahoma State University and got his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering to
provide a better, easier life for his family than he had known growing up. Leo was a champion of
United Way and Junior Achievement programs at Wisconsin Telephone and Ameritech Inc., as well
as a sponsor for many major charities and a Regent for MSOE. His life was well-lived and full of
service to his country and community. He loved sports, which he could not play growing up because
of his chores and working…so this honor is very special because he loved that his granddaughters
could afford to participate in sports and community clubs outside of school. This annual gift will give
that forward to other daughters and granddaughters.
For More information on the Leo T. Jackson Scholarship please conact:
Laurie Konney
414-427-1056 (h)
414-588-5086 (c)
Announcement and more details on this opportunity will be discussed at the 2010 Wisconsin Twisters Holiday Party
Pre Holiday Back-up Copy - Home Page
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WISCONSIN TWISTERS MISSION STATEMENT |
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Good-bye turkeys, hello snow???
*Which type of player are you?
Top Players believe they are responsible for the errors. Top performers focus relentlessly on their own performance and on ways to control that performance and as a result give no power to outside forces (like umpires, weather, schedules, fight with parents or boyfriend)
PARKSIDE FASTPITCH TRAINING PROGRAMS
The UW-Parkside fastpitch program will host a pair of training opportunities for those in grades 3-12 this fall and winter. The Fall Academy will take place on three consecutive Sundays beginning November 21st. The Holiday Fastpitch Clinic will be held Tuesday - Wednesday, December 28-29.
Open the corresponding brochure or visit the Parkside Ranger website for more info.
FALL ACADEMY BROCHURE
HOLIDAY CLINIC BROCHURE
Medical Form
GREEN BAY CAMPS & CLINICS
The Green Bay women's softball team will be hosting softball mini-camps throughout November and December. On Jan. 30, Feb. 20 and Feb. 27, the team will host clinics for those in grades 4-12.
Green Bay Softball Mini Camps - Ages 8-18
November 7, 14, 21, 28 - Hitting and pitching/catching sessions available
December 12, 19/January 2, 9 - Personalized instruction
MINI CAMPS Brochure
Green Bay Softball Clinics - Grades 4-12
Sunday, Jan. 30 - Pitching/Hitting
Sunday, Feb. 20 - Offensive/Defensive Skills
Sunday, Feb. 27 - Pitching/Catching
CLINIC Brochure
Open the corresponding brochure or click on the GB Phoenix link below for more info.
Link: Green Bay Softball Camps and Clinics
Bic’s Softball Skills Camp
Thursday December 30, 2010
9:00am-12:30pm
Bic’s Place - Belgium, WI
6th-12th grade girls
Ran by Port Washington High School 2009 graduate
Emily Bichler, and now pitcher for DePauw University.
Open the handout for more information: Bic's Softball Camp
UPCOMING EVENTS:
UW - Parkside Fall Academy
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UW - Green Bay Mini Camps
November 7, 14, 21, & 28
December 12, 19
January 2, 9
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UW - Parkside Holiday Clinic
December 28th - 29th
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Winter Indoor Practices Begin January 8th
Up Coming Winter Practices-Saturdays-Raymond Elementary School Gym
Times to be announced
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UW - Green Bay Clinics
January 30th - Pitching/Hitting
February 20th - Offensive/Defensive Skills
February 27th - Pitching/Catching
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Wisconsin Twisters Annual Food Drive
Go to My Site News for more information...
!TRYOUTS!
Open Twister Tryouts ~ 14U and 18U Level Only ~
Raymond Elementary School Diamonds - 2659-76th St. Franksville WI 53126
If you are looking for an organization to call home, come check us out.
Please contact for a private showing!
Congratulations 18U Aly Pinkos!! Our Twister Player of the Year.
Find out why ~ Twister Players in the Spotlight
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