News and Announcements
Sorcerer Gold Teams to Share Coaching Staff
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.”
Victoria Hayward commits to Washington
Hayward gave her commitment to head coach Heather Tarr following a recent visit to the Seattle campus. "My official visit was amazing," Victoria said. "I spent two days with the coaches and players and toured the campus, where I was introduced to strength and conditioning coaches, members of the academic advisory staff and a professor from my area of academic interest." She also toured Seattle, spent time at the softball facility and attended a Husky football game.
The aspiring pediatrician, who is a senior at Mountain View (Calif.) H.S., had entertained offers from other institutions with high academic reputations, "but none were able to match the combination of Washington's tradition of academic excellence, commitment to providing academic support to athletes, and quality of its softball program," Victoria said.
Hayward played last summer for the Canadian National Team, competing at Canada Cup, the KFC World Cup and the Pan Am Games qualifying tournament in Maracay, Venezuela. She will be the third Canadian-born player to play Husky softball, following in the footsteps of Team Canada's Danielle Lawrie and Jenn Salling.
"I seek to improve my game by competing at the highest level possible," Hayward said. "Sorcerer is the best program in Northern California and one of the best in the country."
"We are happy for Victoria committing to the defending collegiate national champions," Sorcerer Gold coach Phil Mumma said. "I know that she will do well there. Before she gets to Seattle, however, I anticipate that she will do very well as a Sorcerer. Vic is very coachable, works hard, is a great teammate and is always looking to get better. That's what we look for in a player."
In 2011, Vic will be joined at Washington by Sorcerer Gold - Phil pitcher Kasey Stanchek.
Gold National Championship Recap from Balls and Strikes (click here for link to magazine)
Newest Sorcerer a member of Team Canada
for complete story - click on title bar
The newcomers with Canada this week include precocious outfielder Victoria Hayward, who will be on the squad that goes to the World Cup in Oklahoma City in late July and the world championships qualifier in Venezuela in August.
Just 17, the speedster hit .667 as a Grade 11 in Mountainview, Calif., last season. The aspiring pediatrician is being recruited by Boston College, Northwestern and Stanford.
"I call myself a California girl, but truth is I'm from Toronto," says a grinning Hayward, whose family moved when she was eight.
Her dad was online in January when he discovered Victoria could play for Canada.
"My first thought was it was funny, a funny joke," she said. "'Really dad, the Olympic team? C'mon?"
She was invited to a tryout for the 17-and-under junior team and played so well she was invited to the senior team tryout, where she dazzled with her speed. In an exhibition game on Wednesday, she twice beat out infield choppers, reaching first base before the pitcher even had a chance to get the ball out of her glove.
Sorcerer 2009 ASA Gold Champions!
Click on the title bar to visit the ASA Gold website & see a video replay of the game.
SORCERER GOLD (PHIL) National Champions!
Sorcerer Gold (Phil) wins 18-Under GOLD with Ricketts leading the way
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