Today we profile a NorCal team that is always on the run and has one of the most colorful names around.  We also are sad to report the passing of a SoCal club coach.  Inside you’ll find a video piece on a Hot 100 player who we saw this weekend and we introduce a new blogger who definitely is one of the top players in her class (2015).

 

*****

 

TEAM PROFILE: CALIFORNIA GRAPETTES

Founded in 1988, the California Grapettes have been a fixture now in the club softball for over 25 years with president and treasurer Roy Taylor coming on board in 1993 and current head coach Dennis Gomes starting in the fall of 1994.

You know stability hasn’t been a problem.

What makes the Grapettes unique, though, is what Coach Gomes calls the “Grapettes’ Way.”

Unlike most coaches who come from a baseball background or perhaps slowpitch softball, Gomes actually played fastpitch for a team called the Italian Club in a Stockton, Calif. league in the 1970’s.

“It gave me an insight and philosophy into how fast the game is,” he says.  “What makes it different is I don’t bring in a baseball or slowpitch softball philosophy to the girls.”

“When I first started,” he continues, “I brought in the fastpitch perspective around the speed of the game.  I also stayed away from the baseball approach where a lot of coaches bring the guys’ swing in and the baseball style where you have the bathead go below the ball.”

What Coach Gomes has crafted over the last two decades is an approach based on running . And running.  And running.
“Our team has a motion offense where they see what happen and take off.  There are no verbals, it’s all on what’s happening when the ball is hit. We work on that twice a week and hopefully they understand what’s happening.”

“That’s the one aspect I’ve brought from my background in fastpitch, how you run the bases and how you move with what’s in front of you.”

Gomes got involved when his youngest daughter, Katrina, got into fastpitch.  The coach led the NorCal Tremors 12U team and eventually migrated to the Grapettes. Katrina went on to play at San Jose State from 2000-04 and is now an ER nurse in Stockton.

Another major focus is on showcasing the players to get them to college.  Winning is important, but is a clear second.

“The main thing is we are there to showcase the athletes for scholarships,” Gomes explains. “Winning and going to nationals is fun, but the group we get we’re loyal to in helping them get scholarships.”

And in softball that means you travel.  The Grapettes will cross the country several times this next year as they typically do.  Trips are played for the Boulder (Col.) tournament, the DeMarini in Chicago, Diamond9 events in Florida and Mississippi and four trips south to Huntington Beach to play in Surf City tournaments, one of which took place last weekend.

“Travelling is done to showcase the unsigned players,” the coach states.  “It’s important in our organization to know that when you get your scholarship you have to stay competitive and work hard to help the players coming up get exposure.”

“It’s getting expensive,” he admits, “and we have to sit down and look at the big picture.  there are certain tournaments you can’t turn your back on and others like Team New Jersey may be an option and we’re thinking about Triple Crown.  It’s important to find events that fit our flavor.”

Historically, the team has been competitive, finishing fourth twice at the ASA 18U Gold Nationals and tying for 17^th this year at the PGF 8U Premier National Championship.

The Grapettes have a long history of placing players, too, including Kaila Shull (UCLA, 2006), Ashley Applegate (LSU, 2007) and Erin Arevalo (Georgia, 2008).

“We’ve never won a championship and have come close several times, but that’s secondary to showcasing,” Gomes believes.

“Sometimes I play girls when I shouldn’t but it’s not about winning, it’s about getting the girl seen.”

And when colleges are watching they like how the Grapettes work on giving up an at bat to move the runner.

“I pick girls because of their speed, because we just run. SoCal teams tend to be big bombers where we tend to nickel and dime you; we’re definitely a small ball team.  All of our hitters are line-drive hitters who hit behind the runners.”

The “Grapettes’ Way” even applies to how batters are taught to swing.

“We keep our hands inside the ball so even if the pitch is inside we can still hit behind the runner.  That’s one thing college coaches tell us: they love seeing our running game.”

***

Here’s a player-by-player look at the California Grapettes team with comments by Coach Dennis Gomes:

— C/1B Chelsey Holley (2014, UC Riverside)
“Chelsey is a power hitter and on defense has a quick release.  For a catcher, she runs the bases well.  She’ll probably be one of the big home run hitters in college ball.”

— SS/3B Kobie Pettis (2014, Cal Berkeley)
“Kobie is probably one of the best team leaders I’ve ever had.  She knows the game inside and outside and is a big-time line drive hitter who runs bases with a lot of intelligence. I feel she will probably be an All-American.”

— P/1B Gia Rodoni (2015, Baylor)
“Gia is going to end up being one of the top pitchers in the nation.  She throws in the mid 60’s, topping around 68-69 mph.  Gia has multiple pitches and wants to hit, but isn’t going to hit on our team!  She’s a girl who’s learning to be that team leader in the circle.  The sky’s the limit on this kid.”

— P/OF Kindra Hackbarth (2016, Notre Dame)
“Kindra has so much talent she doesn’t know how much she has.  She’s really a triple threat and is another one for whom the sky’s the limit.  She throws the ball in the mid 60’s and will be a pitcher on our team but was recruited by Notre Dame as an outfielder because she has great speed and runs the bases well. She’s one of our leaders in teaching the other girls on how to run the bases.”

— C/1B Madison Hackbarth (2016, Notre Dame)
“Madison is another one who’ll be a big power hitter and is just starting to understand her potential.  She’s very strong, has a quick release and is another girl who I feel when she’s a junior or senior in college will be an All-American.  She also brings an attitude that coaches like.”

— P/1B Tayler Misfeldt (2014, UC Riverside)
“Tayler just came to our team this fall and has great pitches with total control of her game. She is an in-out pitcher with a great change-up.  She’s also learning to throw the riseball.  Tayler’s a total delight to be around.”

— 3B/OF Bailey Akins (2015, uncommitted)
“Bailey is a power hitter who hits line-drives.  She’s learning to play the Grapettes’ way and will be a nice addition to someone’s program.  Defensively, she has a strong arm and great glove.”

— OF/2B Marissa Hukkanen (2015, uncommitted)
“Marissa has tremendous speed and is a slapper who’s a great bunter as well.  She’ll probably verbal before the end of the season.  On defense she has the strongest arm on our team and has a very quick release.  She runs the bases under control and is really learning the running game.”

— P/1B Jennaiee Kniss (2015, uncommitted)
“Jennaiee—we call her ‘J.K.’—has so much talent and has already been offered three or four full-rides.  She’s going to be a power hitter as she can really hit and I think she’ll get a scholarship as a first baseman.  She’s been a pitcher only and is a great kid who’s learning to be the vocal girl on the team.”

— OF Haley Stahl (2015, uncommitted)
“Haley is a girl who came up through our organization, she’s an outfielder with a very good glove and is an accurate thrower.  She can really put the ball on the spot too.  She’s a slapper with good speed and knows the Grappettes’ style and has been a good addition from the younger age group.”

— 2B/OF Darian Van Der Maaten (2015, uncommitted)
“Dariean is new to our team this year and is learning how to play at the 18U Gold level after being at the younger age group.  She has a very good bat and is going to be a good player because she can run well.”

— 3B/OF Alysha Imperato  (2016, uncommitted)
“Alysha is from Reno and drives four hours each way to come to practice twice a week.  She’s very dedicated and has a great glove and good arm. “

— SS/3B/2B/OF Jennifer Palmares (2016, uncommitted)
“Jennifer is a stud, she will be our next girl to verbal.  As a sophomore she’s like a diamond in the rough.  She plays four positions and is an all-star at all of them.  She has a great bat and glove and is smart, just a total team player.”

— P Jessica Sellers (2017, uncommitted)
“Jessica is probably going to verbal as a freshman and probably next summer she’ll be a dynamite player.  She has a strong arm and bat and is learning how to play at this level.  I always bring up a freshman and I didn’t miss on this one.”

 

*****

 

PASSING: BARRY GRUMMAN (RIPTIDE)

Sorry to report the passing of Riptide Head Coach Barry Grumman, who had suffered a heart attack the weekend of Oct. 5-6.

The Riptide Gold team is based out of Newport Beach, Calif.

According to the team’s website, his services will be on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 10 am at the Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary located at 3500 Pacific View Dr., Corona Del Mar CA 92625.  Phone is 949-644-2700.

The family has also asked that in lieu of flowers people make donations to Riptide.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and players…

 

*****

RECRUIT SPOTLIGHT: ASHLEIGH HUGHES

Yesterday we told you about 2014 OF/IF Ashleigh Hughes of the So Cal Choppers and the decision she and the Alabama staff made to break off the verbal commitment.

We spoke to her at the Surf City Fall Showcase and she addressed that as well as some other issues you can see here:

 

*****

 

INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST BLOGGER: ALYSSA PALOMINO

Alyssa Palomino is one of the very elite junior players in the country.  The Mission Viejo, Calif. standout has committed to Arizona and won all types of honors last year at the high school level as she was the CalHiSports State Sophomore of the Year and a 1^st Team All-State pick.  She hit 18 home runs to tie for the state lead against some of the state’s tough competition and broke the Orange County home run record set in 2010 by Oklahoma Sooner great Lauren Chamberlain. She currently plays on the OC Batbusters-Haning team.

Here’s Alyssa’s intro blog explaining her softball background and love for the game…

 

***

 

Hey! My name is Alyssa Palomino and i am here to share my feelings about softball!

I grew up around softball since I was four years old. My aunt, Toni Mascarenas, was a junior All-American at the University of Arizona!  She played for the OC Batbusters coached by Gary Haning who is now one of my coaches.

I remember always watching her play and saying “I want to be just like her when I grow up.” She has had the biggest impact on my softball career and she is also my high School and travel ball coach. Having her around my journey though the softball world is a blessing and I couldn’t imagine her anywhere else!

When I first started rec ball i didn’t really know what I was doing so it was just a fun activity for me! Once I started getting older I was realizing what I could accomplish on the field.

My first time playing travel ball was on the American Athletics when I was 10 years old. I was so scared because it was so much more intense and I was still so young. I played about three seasons with the American Athletics and then went to the Batbusters. I won my very first national championship on that team and I will always remember those players!

When I was 13 years old I went and played for Mike Stith. I remember always being so scared of him because I never wanted to get yelled at! It has now been four years since playing for him and he is one of the greatest people I have ever met and the best coach I have ever played for. He has taught me so much about this game and I couldn’t have achieved what I have without his help.

I love softball because of the rush I get when I am playing. Being on the field and getting to hit or field a ball is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced! Some people will never get the opportunity I have had with this game so I take playing to heart.

Getting to play on the field during a hot day or under the lights in the cold is something I can’t explain. Putting all the hard work and sweat into what I love to do is the most important thing. I will never stop working to get better and to keep playing this game.

Softball has brought me so many amazing friendships that I will always keep and I will always be grateful for that.

This game has brought me so many amazing opportunities like getting a chance to play college softball and traveling to so many different places! I couldn’t see myself doing anything else or playing any other sport. I am truly blessed with everything that softball has brought me.

—Alyssa Palomino

 

*****

 

RECRUITING NEWS:

*** More verbals:

— OF Sydney James (2015, Cal Poly)… plays for OC Batbusters-Fox
— P Ginny Hearn (2015, Mercer)… plays for East Cobb Bullets-Council
— C/3B Alexa Binckes (2016, Purdue)… plays for Jersey Intensity
— 3B Emily Kenny (2016, Purdue)… plays for Jersey Intensity
— P Mandy Jordan (2015, Lipscomb)… play for Mobile Thrillers
— SS Paige Mitchell (2015, James Madison)… plays for Richmond Diamonds
— P/3B Emily Womble (2016, Abilene Christian)… plays for Texas Blaze

 

*****

 

TOP UNCOMMITTED 2014’s – LIST STARTING TOMORROW!

Thanks to those who sent player info to be included on a list of top uncommitted seniors.  We’re going to post the first list tomorrow and hope the softball community adds to it regularly.

If you’d like to send a player we’ll be adding to our soon-to-be-launched list, please send your info to us at brentt@studentsports.com.

We’ll take stats, honors, accomplishments, recruiting info, photos and promote as appropriate.  We hope to launch the list next Monday or Tuesday!

 

*****

 

If you’d like to submit information, forward to brentt@studentsports.com.  Also, follow us on twitter at @SS_Softball.