Over the next week or so we’re going to spotlight teams across the nation at different age groups as we finish up club season and transition into high school ball! Today, we begin with a top Michigan-based team that has produced a lot of talent recently — 20 players since the 2014 class, in fact, going to major programs in conferences like the Big Ten and ACC…

Club Team: Finesse 18U-Dreher
Coach: Donny Dreher
City: Commerce Township
State: Mich.
Club Website:
www.finessefastpitch.com

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When did the team/program start?
1986 (club history is on website)

Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)

Locally and surrounding states

What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?

Develop skills and showcase to college coaches

What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?

From 2012 to 2014, we have qualified for PGF 18U Premier Nationals and from 2003 to 2013 Finesse qualified for ASA 18U Gold Nationals. More recent championships include 2009, 2012 and 2013 winning the Compuware College Exposure tournament, in 2013 we won the Team NJ PGF National Qualifier and in 2012 we won the Indianapolis PGF National Qualifier.

What makes the organization unique?

We pride ourselves on developing talent.

What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?

I coached at the Division 1 level and have coached Finesse since 1992. I am also the Director of Softball at Total Sports Complex.

How many teams are there in the organization overall?

Seven.

Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?

Probably when we converted to fastpitch in 1997.

What is your primary focus or goal with this team?

Preparing them for the college game. Almost every player is D1 committed so we try to play the best talent in the country to get them ready for top-level college play.

What do you think are the strengths of the team?

Power and defense. On our team, 13 of the 16 players have home run power and it is also the best defensive team in our 28 year history.

If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?

We recruit great athletes with great attitudes locally.

Is there a player on your team you think has Hot 100 talent who we haven’t spotlighted yet?
One would be Hannah Carson, a 2018 catcher who can also play second base and outfield. She hits left-handed and throws right and is a power hitter who also has base stealing speed. Hannah’s pop time has been clocked as low as 1.65 and she was recruited nationally by Stanford, Tennessee, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Michigan State before she verbally committed to Michigan in December of 2014.

What makes her such a standout player?
Hannah’s work ethic is off the charts. In the 5th grade, Hannah would go to her local school field at 6 am in the morning to work on her throwing—what 5th grader does that? Presently Hannah travels two hours each way three times per week for practice and does live hitting against former college pitchers on Wednesday nights, She then has hitting lessons and fielding lessons on Thursdays and trains three hours each Sunday with her team.