photo: Casey Sapio
A local young-women’s softball tsunami—Team Velocity Force—hit their way through a midnight elimination match over Memorial Day Weekend to secure a place in the Amateur Softball Association’s Junior Olympic National Championships, to be held in Hemet, CA, August 1–8.
The 15-member team emerged in 2008 because two dads - Allen Cash, head coach, and Ray Morgan, assistant coach - wanted to help talented players, including their daughters, receive a college education through softball scholarships.
Morgan says, “Most programs seem built around one player, leaving the others—no matter how talented—without much chance of getting a scholarship.” It was that inequity Force sought to cure. Morgan explains, “Our program focuses on every player. The commitment we’ve given our daughters is a commitment we give to each girl on the team.”
The Force philosophy works: it has placed 100% of its seniors with scholarships.
Autumn Champion (former UA Softball player, 2-time National Champion, 2-time All-American, and formerly with the Arizona Heat and Chicago Bandits), a second Force assistant coach, is another ingredient contributing to Force’s success. For example, neither Cash’s nor Morgan’s daughters receive favoritism since Champion decides who plays each game, so only the best players start.
Because the National Pro Fastpitch (previously the Women’s Pro Softball League) has struggled as a viable professional sport, education and scholarships remain paramount. A Force player contacts a college, letting it know of her interest; Force coaches follow-up; college coaches then attend “showcase tournaments,” where players show off their softball acumen. Scholarships may be offered on-the-spot.
After one such tournament, a Connecticut college coach handed his business card to Morgan saying, “I’ll take any of your girls who’ll play for me.” Arizona programs have recruited Force players, as have out-of-state programs.
All Force players play, and each player earns her position every season; no position is guaranteed. All play grueling tournament schedules—three games a day. Each plays on high school softball teams, keeps good grades, and often holds a part-time job. Each helps with Force’s concession stand - Force’s primary fundraiser - at UA football games; if she can’t make it, her parents do. Everyone associated with
Force, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, works towards the team’s success. While Morgan says Force would love a sponsorship, they’re joyfully committed to earning their way, on talent, skill, and training, into softball history—and future.
Check forums on www.AZSoftball.org, for team try-outs, as Force does not recruit players.
