Sorcerer 18 Gold - Mumma

Sorcerer’s two Gold Teams will be directed by an expanded, unified coaching staff  for the 2010 season.

Phil Mumma will serve as head coach for both teams and will be joined by current assistants Bill Sparrey and Kim Fabian, former Arizona State outfielder Michelle Smith, former Villanova star Robin Flier and at least one other former player who will be named soon.

Some 26 to 32 players will be selected to make up the two squads who will train together over the winter and spring, concentrating on fundamentals, skill development and Sorcerer offensive and defensive philosophies.

Two separate squads will be formed for summer, one already with a berth to the Premier Girls Fastpitch national championships in Huntington  Beach, and one who will attempt to qualify for a similar berth.

“This will be a new way of doing things for us,” Mumma said,“but it is something that I have considered doing for a long time.  It has major advantages for the players.  We can develop more kids to play at higher levels of the game and we can aid directly more Sorcerer kids in their college recruitments.”  He noted that having an indoor facility also will be an advantage for training during rainy winter months.

“College recruitment is a big area of concentration for us, ”Phil said. “Last spring 47 players from our Gold teams or who were students at (Mumma’s) Sorcerer Softball Academy played Division I collegiate softball.”

Mumma, a long-time fastpitch coach and player, has led teams to three 18U ASA National Championships, including the 2009 ASA 18 Gold title.  Sparrey is a former player and one-time high school coach who also coached in the San Jose Strikkers Gold program, then one of the most powerful in America.  Fabian is a former All-American collegiate catcher, former ASA national champion player, and one-time California Sharks and San Jose Sting 18 Gold coach.  Smith was a former Sorcerer national championship player, speedy bunter/slapper for the Sun Devils and Women’s College World Series veteran who has been an assistant with Sorcerer’s 14s and 16s.  Flier, also a former Sorcerer player, ranks as one of Villanova’s most prolific career offensive leaders and has coached with Sorcerer at the 14U, 16U and 18 Gold levels. 

“I am extremely proud of the coaching staff we have assembled," Mumma said.  “All are former fastpitch players with previous coaching experience.  The women on our staff played at extremely high levels.  We have no relatives of players on our staff, and I feel that can be a strength, as well.  People can be assured that our kids will get the very best coaching.”