Season’s Greetings from Mad River Girls Softball!

On behalf of the Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association, we sincerely thank the players, parents, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors for their continued support and enthusiasm for our organization’s TRAVEL Division, the Mad River Mist, and it’s rapidly expanding RECREATIONAL Division. Yes it’s true, the RECREATIONAL Program is expanding exponentially through a merger with former Little League Softball programs of Humboldt County! This merger brings with it a dramatic increase in players to our RECREATION Division, as well as a wealth of rec-program knowledge and experience provided by the leadership of those organizations that have joined with us. Accompanying this merger will be a "formal" change in our organization’s name to

HUMBOLDT FASTPITCH

We feel Humboldt Fastpitch better reflects our organization’s goal of “Bridging, Blending, and Building Softball Communities” through the creation of a county-wide youth fastpitch softball program. Please look for updates on this expanded program on our Facebook Site.

Currently, leaders from each of the respective geographical areas are working together to finalize details for the 2013 softball seasons. These area leaders include:

• Frank Gonsalves, McKinleyville/Trinidad
• Kelly Helms/Steve Sarchett, Arcata
• Shanna McCracken, Eureka
• Bobby Dolcini, Ferndale
• Robb Foley, Fortuna
• Ageana Brett, Scotia/Rio Del
• Rick Todd, Garberville/Redway
• Rowdy Robbins, Hoopa/Willow Creek

 On this Blog you will find both the RECREATIONAL and TRAVEL registration forms for the 2013 softball season! For those players interested in playing TRAVEL softball, registration is rapidly approaching! Practices will begin on Sundays, starting on January 13th, 2013 and will run through the end of the month for assessment purposes. These Sunday TRAVEL sessions will be held at Fortuna High School and will run from 10 am to 1 pm. We are actively seeking players at all levels of TRAVEL play (16u to 10u) and highly encourage ALL interested players to come check it out! TRAVEL registration can happen on-site at these Sunday practices or can be mailed to the PO Box on the registration form. Additionally, for our 14u and 16u high school players, the Sunday practices are a great way to tune up prior to the high school softball season that starts in early February! The travel schedule is pending the release of the 2013 ASA softball tournament schedules, but generally consists of one away tournament each month starting in March. As soon as we are able to finalize a tentative schedule, we will send it out.

As for the RECREATIONAL program, registration forms for the 2013 season are due by February 28th, 2013. Applications can also be mailed in or dropped off at any one of our registration locations on the dates specified below.  Registration dates for participation in the 2013 Recreational Program season are:

• Jan. 27th, 10 AM to 3 PM
• Feb. 10th, 10 AM to 3 PM
• Feb. 24th, 10 AM to 3 PM

 Registration Locations are:

• Arcata, Arcata Community Center
• Eureka, Big 5 Sporting Goods
• Fortuna, Sport & Cycle
• McKinleyville, Ray’s Food Place
• Hoopa applications can be given to Rowdy Robbins
• Garberville/Redway applications can be given to Rick Todd

Assessments for the RECREATIONAL program will be MANDATORY and will happen on March 3rd at Fortuna High School for our southern participants and March 10th at Arcata High School for our northern participants. However, players may attend either session regardless of the geographic location in which they reside. More information to follow as the time for assessments nears!

If you have any questions, please contact us at: humboldtfastpitch@gmail.com!
We look forward to seeing you on the diamond for this exciting 2013 softball season!

Kelly Helms, President

Nick Hetrick, Vice President
Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association-Humboldt Fastpitch
PO Box 4361
Arcata, CA 95518
humboldtfastpitch@gmail.com
http://madrivergirlssoftball.blogspot.com

Mad River Girls Softball is in for some big changes! Many of the local little leagues have decided to "uncharter" girls softball. As a result, "negotiations" have been taking place to bridge the little league girls softball programs with Mad River ASA to build a county-wide program! One part of those "negotiations" includes working on a "formal" name change to HUMBOLDT FASTPITCH. Currently, leaders from each of the programs are working to finalize registration forms and disseminate information. Completed rregistration forms will be due by the end of February and MANDATORY assessments will occur in March! Stay tuned for more information! We are all looking forward to a great 2013 ASA Softball Season!

“Bridging, Blending, Building Softball Communities”

The Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association Travel Program, the Mad River Mist, is walking the walk...  talking the talk when it comes to carrying out its goal of  "Bridging, Blending, and Building Softball Communities across Humboldt County”.  The mission for the Travel Program is to provide a quality softball experience for girls across Humboldt County by connecting and blending players from local communities and programs through dedicated coaching, team play, and a positive learning environment. The Travel Program strives to prepare committed local softball players to play competitively in California and at the highest national level. 

The goal of  “Bridging, Blending, and Building Softball Communities” is well demonstrated by the current roster for the 16u age division shown in the picture below, which includes players from Garberville, Fortuna, Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, and Trinidad!  We believe strongly that there is tremendous value to the Humboldt County Community as a whole in bringing these young ladies together to travel and play as team mates through ASA, rather than their interactions being limited to competing against one another during the spring High School Softball season. 



The current roster for the Mad River Mist's 16u age division includes players from Garberville, Fortuna, Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, and Trinidad with coaching provided by former players from the College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University! 

The picture above also well exemplifies the diverse array of talented coaches that contribute to the Mad River Program. most of which are former college fastpitch players and include Varsity and JV Coaches from Fortuna, Eureka, and Arcata High schools. Coaches in the picture above include former players from the College of the Redwoods and the Humboldt State University Lady Jacks!  Thank you Coaches for all that you do!

The Mad River Mist is currently hosting teams in the 10u, 12u, and 16u age divisions and is open to all interested players.  Please contact us via email for more information or visit our facebook site at
http://www.facebook.com/groups/155033233999/

Mist Girls Bring Home the Hardware from Hayward

On behalf of the Board for our Mad River Girls Softball Organization, we want to congratulate the ladies for a fantastic September 29-30th weekend of play at the Bay Area Bash Tournament in Hayward, as well as to thank the parents for their awesome and continued support. This venture would not be possible without your lasting commitment to the Mist Travel Ball Program.... so we sincerely thank you.  Again, congratulations to the ladies and coaches for a great Team effort!

 

The Mad River Mist 10u Girls win 1st place in the Silver Division at the Bay Area Bash in Hayward, September 2012 



The Mad River Mist 12u Girls with Coaches Eric and Bobby displaying their 2nd place trophy and medals from the GOLD Division at the Bay Area Bash in Hayward, September 2012.   

News Channel 3 Story on the Mad River Mist Travel Program from Summer 2011

For those that didn't see the News Channel 3 clip featuring the Mad River Mist's ASA Travel Program that aired in summer 2011 - check out the following link:  kiem-tv clip  

Mad River Girls ASA Softball Travel Division Player "Ally" speaking on the program's mission to promote and provide quality girls softball across Humboldt County by connecting and blending local communities and programs through dedicated coaching, team play, and a positive learning environment to prepare committed local softball players to compete competitively in California and at the highest National levels.

ASA Softball Clinic Sunday Oct 7, 2012

ASA Softballs Mad River Mist and the Eureka High School Softball Coaching Staff have teamed up to offer a

Girls Fastpitch Softball Clinic

this Sunday October 7, 2012 from 4-7pm @ Eureka High Softball Field

The clinic is open to all girls in 8th-12th grades.  Interested players from any and all leagues that have a love for the game are welcomed and encouraged to attend.  Download the flyer and registration form here and bring with you on Sunday!   

It isn't too late!

If you missed the beginning of fall ball practice for the 10, 12, 14, or 16 and under programs, please contact Kelly or Shanna at your earliest convenience or send us an email. The next 10u/12u practice will be Wednesday, September 5th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fireman's Park in Ferndale. The first 10u/12u tentatively scheduled tournament is September 29th-30th in either the Davis or the Hayward area (whichever tournament will likely have more teams!). Players please return the "Fall Ball Feedback" forms so we can confirm player numbers as needed prior to registering and paying tournament fees.  Please bring completed "feedback" forms to practice or complete digitally and send to us via email at madrivergirlssoftball@gmail.com.  Thanks for your continued support.