Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association THE LINE DRIVE
January 15, 2018 VOLUME 6
Message from the President… Brad Ceranski President I hope 2018 is off to an incredible start and Cindy Suess that your excitement is building for the Vice President upcoming softball season. Cindy Suess has Clinic Director put together a spectacular lineup for our th th Greg Lampe coaches clinic on February 24 and 25 at Executive Director Chula Vista Resort. We all owe Cindy a Awards Committee Chairperson debt of gratitude for the hard work she puts into providing us with such an out- Tammy Rademacher standing educational and networking opportunity each year. Secretary Website 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 mo- Jane Briehl ment to thank them for their excellent work representing the schools in their dis- Treasurer trict. We are extremely excited to let you know that they will continue to serve the Tom Drohner athletes and coaches and help the WFSCA in other ways. Tim will be serving as an Border Battle Coordinator All-Star Game Coordinator, Jeff will continue as the Hall of Fame Chair and Roger District 1: Large School Rep. will be sharing his knowledge as one of our speakers at this year’s clinic. They are Dave Bjorge incredible individuals who we are fortunate to have volunteering their time and District 1: Small School Rep. talents. Tim Whitford All-Star Game Coordinator During our fall meeting, the Board was charged with selecting three new district representatives. We are very excited to welcome Julie Detjen (Fox Valley Luther- Sue Stoltenberg Academic All-State Coordinator an), Dan Bayreuther (Janesville Craig) and Scott Ritzema (Laconia) Newsletter Coordinator to the Executive Board. I have no doubt their passion and ideas Inside this Issue: District 2: Small School Rep. will strengthen our Board and enhance the softball experience for Message from the President 1 Jeff Agnew the student athletes and coaches in our state. Hall of Fame Chairperson 2018 Hall of Jeff Agnew is busy putting together another excellent program to Fame Inductees 2-3 Jeff Hodgson honor our four tremendous coaches who will be inducted into the WFSCA Hall of District 3: Small School Rep. WFSCA Hall of Fame this year. We will again be starting off the Fame Coaches 4 John Ruffolo banquet with a social for Hall of Fame members. Thank you, Jeff, Changes for 2018 5 Clinic Vendor Coordinator for all your work to make this a special event for the inductees District 4: Large School Rep. Keeping Deadlines and their families. Please join us in honoring the legendary A Priority 6 Scott Ritzema coaches on Saturday evening of the clinic. District 4: Small School Rep. Coaches Clinic Speakers: The input we have received over the years from our membership Monica Abbott 7 Jared Faherty has been extremely valuable. Surveys and conversations over Tony Abbatine 8 All-Star Game Coordinator Amanda Chidester 8 the past several years have been very helpful in decisions for our Randy Schneider 9 Julie Detjen sport at the state level. Please contact your district representa- District 2: Large School Rep. 2017 State tives, Greg Lampe, or myself, with any suggestions on how we can Qualifiers 10-11 Dan Bayreuther continue to grow as an organization. See you at the clinic! Being a Good District 3: Large School Rep. Teammate 12 Brad Ceranski, WFSCA President Important Dates 12
Page 2 Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association
WFSCA Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees
The Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association 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 1996. He has coached in 466 games and has a career record of 406-60. The Pirates playoff record is 56-16 and includes 15 regional ti- tles, 8 sectional titles, state championship titles in 2006 & 2009, and state runner-up in 2016. Don has 17 conference champion- ships and coached an All-Star team in 2004 & 2013.
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 468-65 through the 2017 sea- son. 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 2000. He is the only coach in Wisconsin State softball history to win 4 consecutive State Championship from 2001—2004. He has helped develop 48 first team All-State players, won 18 consecutive Wisconsin Val- ley 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.
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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 383-101. His teams have won 8 Conference Championships, 17 Regional Championships and 9 Sectional Championships. Oakfield ad- vanced to the State Tournament 9 times and won the State Championship in 1997, 2001 and 2009, with a Runner-Up in 2004.
Cindy Suess – Oshkosh North High School UW-Oshkosh Verona Area High School Cindy coached softball at Verona Area High School for 12 sea- sons. During that time, she directed the Wildcats to a 228-49 record, including 5 State Tournament appearances and 8 Badg- er Conference Championships. Verona finished 2nd at the WI- AA Division 1 State Tournament in 2001 and 2002. Cindy was Head Coach at UW-Oshkosh for 9 seasons; leading the Titans to a record of 229-140-1 (a 62% winning percentage). She was named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2013. UW-Oshkosh finished in the top three of the WIAC 6 times under Suess’s leadership, including a league title in 2007. That year, she went 32-11 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 2008. For the past 4 years, Cindy has coached the Oshkosh North Spartans to a 76-28 record, 2 State Tournament appearances and a Conference Title in 2017.
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Hall of Fame Coaches
2018 Don Bjelland, Grantsburg Tom Drohner, Stevens Point Doug Mock, Oakfield Cindy Suess, Oshkosh
2017 2012 Denny Coppernoll, River Valley Kris Allison, Westosha Central Tim Hering, Whitewater Mike Regner, LaCrosse Central Jeff Setz, New Berlin Eisenhower Del Schneeberger, Johnson Creek/Fort Atkinson
2016 2011 Dave Keel, Homestead Jim Haines, Pepin Roger Schliewe, Horicon Steve Ryan, Waunakee Jim Wickert, McFarland & Madison College Steve Schmikla, McFarland Diane Yager, DC Everest & Seneca 2015 Tim Pederson, Amherst 2010 Bob Sulser, Madison Memorial & Beloit Turner Greg Lampe, Oak Creek Marv Youngbeck, Mayville Bob LeCaptain, Denmark & Green Bay West John Malin, Kimberly 2014 Russell Shaub, Middleton John Schroeder, Beloit Memorial Bob Tomlinson, Poynette Glenda Smith, Tigerton Rod Wilterdink, Cedarburg Don Vruwink, Milton 2009 2013 Tory Acheson Whitnall, UW-Parkside/TN Tech Dale Buvid, Monroe Phillip Adam, Ashwaubenon Paul Olson, Fort Atkinson David and Mary Lou Jones, Platteville Jim Turner, Altoona Pete Kopplin, Marshfield Darrell Laschen, Loyal Debbie Malueg, Marion
Page 5 Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association
Changes for 2018 by Brad Ceranski, WFSCA President The WFSCA Executive Board discussed several topics for the upcoming season during the June meeting. In- put was taken from survey results, discussion with coaches and parameters in other sports. Recommen- dations from this meeting were sent to the WIAA Soft- ball Coaches Advisory and on to the committee process which culminates with the WIAA Board of Control. The Board of Control approved following three recommen- dations 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 pre- determined 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 Divi- sions 2 through 5 will change from the current Tues- day, 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 conversa- tions with coaches is vital to the recommendation process. Please contact your district representatives, Greg Lampe or myself, with any questions or ideas for future recom- mendations. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention how fortu- nate 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.
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Keeping Deadlines a Priority by Greg Lampe, WIAA Executive Director & Awards Chairperson Another softball season will soon be underway. High simply because deadlines are missed by their Head Coach. school coaches are already feeling the excitement and an- Don’t let this happen to you or your players. ticipation of getting back out on the field. Along with that energy and passion, there may be another emotion emerg- ing as the season approaches: trepidation. Softball season is filled with daily stressors: trying to juggle school com- mitments, planning practices, dealing with weather inter- ruptions, etc… Scheduling and game day stress can be- come, well, overwhelming at times. Every year WFSCA offers players opportuni- ties for post-season participation and awards
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 If you don’t like the Yellow Folder idea, that’s okay. Find in perspective. If you’re anything like me, you may start something that works for you. Technology offers many the season out with high expectations, but once the sea- ways to keep track of important dates and deadlines. The son begins some of those deadlines inevitably get put on ultimate goal is to find a way that works for you. Manage the back burner and forgotten. your deadlines so that you can spend your time where it is most needed: developing your players and enjoying the It doesn’t have to be that way! One suggestion I’d like to season. offer: get yourself a bright Yellow folder and write WFSCA Deadlines across the front in big, bold letters. Put that To you and your teams I wish you much success and a fan- folder up on your bulletin board so you see it on a daily tastic 2018 season. If you ever have any questions, please basis. 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 Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association 2018 WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24th—25th 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 2007. 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 Ja- pan 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 Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association 2018 WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24th—25th Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells
SPEAKER: Tony Abbatine Frozen Ropes—Softball Clinician/Coach Team USA Coaching Staff Tony Abbatine retired from practicing law in 1995. Since that time, he has his passion to teach baseball and softball into a training program and instruc- tional model called Frozen Ropes. His unique communication style and train- ing 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 ca- reer, 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 1.727 slugging percentage.
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2018 WFSCA Coaches Clinic Sat-Sun, February 24th—25th 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 Champion- ships. He is an accomplished offensive specialist and has produced many in- structional 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, 2004-10 Wisconsin—Associate Head Coach, 2010-16 Iowa State—Assistant Coach, 2016-17
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Congratulations to all of the 2017 State Softball Qualifiers!
Division 1
Wilmot Union Panthers Head Coach: Jenny Jacobson
Germantown Warhawks Head Coach: Kurt Raguse Menomonee Falls Indians Head Coach: Lou Sanicola Oak Creek Knights Head Coach: Jeff Trask Oshkosh North Spartans Head Coach: Cindy Suess Stevens Point Panthers Head Coach: Tom Drohner Sun Prairie Cardinals Head Coach: Jamie Olson
Division 1 Champions Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts Head Coach: Tim Roehring
Division 2 Kewaskum Indians Head Coach: Jeff Gosse New London Bulldogs Head Coach: Tony Porath Turner Trojans 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
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Congratulations to all of the 2017 State Softball Qualifiers!
Division 4
Phillips Loggers Head Coach: Blake Edwards Shiocton Chiefs Head Coach: David Wilcox Pacelli Cardinals Head Coach: Ann Molski
Division 4 Champions
Juda/Albany Panthers Head Coach: Bill Davis
Division 5 Belmont Braves Head Coach: Jeff Hodgson Blair-Taylor Wildcats Head Coach: Greg Bratina Wausaukee Rangers Head Coach: Sue Stoltenberg
Division 5 Champions McDonell Central Catholic Macks Head Coach: Chelsea Rosenow
What a great place to end a season……. Good luck and best wishes for a successful and enjoyable 2018 season!
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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: https://www.softballisforgirls.com/2017/10/04/ are-you-a-good-team-mate-softball-is-for-girls/
SAVE THE DATES! February 24-25: Coaches Clinic
March 12: First Day of Softball Practice April 13: Deadline to Register Seniors for State All-Star Games May 23 & 25: D-1 Regionals May 22, 23 & 25: D-2, D-3, D-4 & D-5 Regionals May 29 & 31: Sectionals for All Divisions June 1: Deadline for All District Nominations June 7-9: State Tournament June 12 & 13: Senior All Star Games, Wisconsin Dells June 15: Academic All State Nominations Due Coaches Awards Due Mid-July: Border Battle