Today we go to Pennsylvania to profile a team in the Philadelphia area that has had Top 10 finishes at Nationals.

The Newtown Rock Gold staff includes Head Coach Joe Garvey, Coach Dan Santelli, Coach Odysseus Marcopolus, Coach Gene Castellucci and Manager Brian Rounsavill.

We spoke with Coach Santelli who gave us the rundown on this top program…

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FullCountSoftball.com: When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Dan Santelli: The Newtown Rock travel softball program was founded in 2002 by Joe Garvey. After seeing the recreational program lose players to other local travel programs over the years, Joe had a vision of creating a travel program that would provide the opportunity for local players to compete on a national level.

FCS.com: Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)
DS: The Newtown Rock Gold team is based in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 30 miles north of Philadelphia. The current roster includes players from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia. On average, players travel between one and two hours each way to get to practice. Since 2010, over 30 former Newtown Rock Gold players have received scholarship opportunities to play softball at the collegiate level.

FCS.com: What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?
DS: Initially, the Newtown Rock travel program was created to provide training and developmental opportunities for local players. As the program has grown, it has gained a reputation for being one of the premier programs on the east coast and attracts players from all over the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to providing recruiting and scholarship opportunities, the Newtown Rock Gold team focuses on developing softball skills and self-confidence while continuing to play the best competition across the country.

FCS.com: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
DS: In the early stages of the program, the Newtown Rock won several ASA state championships and has finished in the top 10 at ASA and Pony Nationals. Last season, the Newtown Rock Gold team finished 3^rd at the Team NJ Summer Tournament, made it to the championship game of the Louisville Division of the Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament in Colorado and competed at the PGF Premier 18U National Championships placing 33rd. The Newtown Rock Gold team holds the distinction of being the only North East team to qualify for PGF Nationals each year for four consecutive years since the inception of PGF.

FCS.com: What makes the organization unique?
DS: The Newtown Rock Gold team sets itself apart from other travel teams through its training and high tempo play (nobody will out-work us!). All of the players on the roster are fit athletes, confident in their abilities and passionate about the sport. As a result of our success on many levels, players actively seek us out from all over the mid-Atlantic region.

FCS.com: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
DS: Joe Garvey, founder of the Newtown Rock travel program, has coached at the travel level for over 15 years. After initially volunteering to coach with his three young daughters, Joe fell in love with the sport and became a self-proclaimed softball junkie. An active member of his local community, he has served as President, Board member and Travel Director for the Newtown Rock Softball Association. Coach Garvey is constantly learning and he has made it a goal to stay ahead of the curve as the game of softball continues to evolve by playing the best competition around the country.

FCS.com: How many teams are there in the organization overall?
DS: In the Newtown Rock Softball Association recreational program, the divisions are based on age: Coach Pitch: 8 & Under; Minor Pitch: 10 & Under; Junior Pitch: 12 & Under; Major Pitch: 14 & Under; and Senior Pitch: 18 & Under. In the Newtown Rock fastpitch travel program, teams are organized at the 10U, 12U, 14U, 18U and 18U Gold levels. Overall, there are over 15 teams and over 300 players who participate in the Newtown Rock Softball organization.

FCS.com: Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
DS: The growth of PGF softball has allowed us to participate in the highest level of softball against the most competitive teams in the country and attract the best athletes to the program.

FCS.com: What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
DS: To win a National Championship while giving back to our local community and inspiring our players to believe in themselves and achieve anything to which they aspire.

FCS.com: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
DS: Our strength is our athleticism and mental toughness. Our team has the desire and drive to get better in every aspect of their game, while carrying themselves with a humble confidence.

FCS.com: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
DS: The total commitment that our players give to our team. In return, our coaches and volunteers give our players the highest quality experience and the opportunity to compete at a national level and gain entrance into superior academic institutions and play at the collegiate level.

FCS.com: Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization?
DS: The Newtown Rock Gold team exhibits a fun, unique personality and high tempo approach to the game that separates itself from other travel programs. Joe Garvey provides the strategic vision and competitive inspiration for his team with his “Tommy Lasorda” coaching style that creates the true Disney experience for his team.

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Here’s a look at the Newtown Rock Gold – Garvey team with comments from Coach Santelli:

— CF/SS Amanda Kulp (2015, Saint Joseph’s)
“Amanda is a fierce competitor and one of the team leaders. She is a five tool player who bats in the top of the order and can slap, bunt, and drive a ball in the gap making her very difficult to defend. She hit .450 for the fall and had a .554 on-base percentage primarily batting in the 2 hole. She is an outstanding defensive centerfielder with tremendous range and an above average arm.”

— 3B/C Courtney Hankins (2015, Fairfield)
“Courtney is a middle of the order hitter who hits with tremendous power to all fields. She led the team in RBI in the fall, had a slugging percentage of .596, hit over .400, and also was the most difficult to strikeout. Courtney is a leader behind the plate with a strong arm and a sub-1.80 pop time. She is also an outstanding defensive third baseman.”

— 2B/1B Maddy Chain (2015, Rider)
“Maddy’s primary position is second base where she is outstanding defensively, but she is also an extremely versatile player who has played all of the infield positions. Offensively, Maddy is a great clutch hitter who shared the team lead for doubles in the fall while batting over .300 and provided many key hits in big tournaments.”

— LHP/1B Elyse Cuttic (2016, uncommitted)
“Elyse came to us in the fall from Lower South Liberty Gold and is a left-handed pitcher who we are counting on for great things this summer. She throws in the low 60’s and has an outstanding drop curve and change-up that keeps hitters off balance as well as a rise ball and screwball. As a hitter, Elyse has above average power and had a slugging percentage of .516 for the fall.

— OF Hannah Edwards (2016, Pitt)
“Hannah also came to us from Lower South Liberty Gold in the fall. Full Count Softball ranked Hannah the No. 4 2016 prospect in the 2016 Hot 100 Rankings. Hannah is our leadoff hitter and has been clocked at 2.6 from home to first and is a threat on the bases at anytime. She had both the highest batting average (.469) and OBP (.558) on the team for the fall season. Hannah has great range defensively and can play all three OF positions.”

— OF Olivia Francomano (2016, uncommitted)
“ Olivia is another one of our speedy top of the order slappers. Olivia is adept at drag bunting, power slapping, and soft slapping and her home to first time is under 2.80 seconds. She hit .363 for the fall with an on-base percentage of over .400. She is an outstanding defensive outfielder with great range and a strong throwing arm.”

— RHP/OF Reilly Gearhart (2016, LaSalle)
“Reilly bats in the middle of the order and has tremendous power and athleticism. Reilly led the team in both home runs and slugging pct. (.663) for the fall while batting .378. At the Team New Jersey Fall Showcase, Reilly homered in four consecutive games. As a pitcher, Reilly throws in the low 60’s and has a great drop curve and curve. She also mixes in a rise, screwball, and change-up.”

— 3B/SS Nicole Rounsavill (2016, Colgate)
“ Nicole has played in the Newtown Rock Organization for her entire travel career. She has great athleticism and is a middle of the order hitter who brings a combination of power and speed. Nicole was in the top three on the team for the fall in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and led the team in runs scored. Defensively, she is an outstanding defensive third baseman with great quickness and hands.”

— C/1B Courtney Shupp (2016, LaSalle)
“ Courtney is another player who came to us in the fall from Lower South Liberty Gold. Courtney missed most of the fall while rehabbing an injury but when healthy possesses tremendous power and is projected as a middle of the order hitter. We are looking forward to Courtney returning to action this summer, as it will add another powerful bat to the lineup. Defensively, Courtney is a great blocker behind the plate and a vocal leader.”

— C/3B Bella Norton (2016, Indiana)
“Bella joined us after the completion of the fall season after guest playing with us at Team New Jersey. We are extremely excited to add a player of her talent to the roster and expect her to make an immediate impact. Bella is a very talented catcher and also has the athleticism to play multiple positions. Bella was ranked the No. 98 2016 Prospect in the 2016 Hot 100 Rankings by Full Count Softball.”

— RHP Megan Stauffer (2016, uncommitted)
“ Megan was our most consistent pitcher in the fall and throws in the low 60’s with excellent command of all her pitches. Her repertoire consists of a drop, rise, screwball, and changeup and she can throw any pitch regardless of the count. Megan is a fierce competitor who has the mental make-up and composure needed to pitch at the highest level. Megan is very athletic and has above average speed.”

— C/OF Holly Bridgman (2017, LaSalle University)
“Holly joined the team in the fall and due to some injuries caught the majority of the innings. She is a line drive hitter who uses the entire field and also has some pop as she tied for the team lead in triples and hit over .300. Behind the plate, Holly is a very athletic catcher who takes command of the field and has a pop time of sub 1.80.”

— SS/2B Angela Giampolo (2017, uncommitted)
“Angela joined the team in the fall and immediately took ownership of the shortstop position. She is a tremendous athlete, has great speed, and is an outstanding base runner. She is a slick fielding shortstop with a strong arm and great range. Offensively, Angela is a line drive hitter who uses all fields and rarely strikes out and hit over .300 in the fall.”

—2B/3B Taylor Sweigart (2017,LaSalle)
“Taylor also came to us in the fall from Lower South Liberty Gold. Taylor possesses great athleticism and versatility and can play multiple positions. Taylor is a middle of the order hitter with power and speed and tied for the team lead in triples for the fall while hitting .300. Defensively, Taylor has great range and is outstanding fielder at both second and first base.”