Freedom News

American Freedom 14u’s Hannah LeBeau Finishes in the top four in Tournament Homerun Derby.

10/31/08—The 12th Annual Texas Elite Halloween Classic at Jennifer McFalls park last weekend hosted a tournament Homerun Derby. The Freedom’s 1st baseman Hannah LeBeau put on a hitting display finishing in the top 4 out of approximately 50+ players who participated in the Derby. Hannah came with in 4 inches of finishing in the top two when one for her deep drive hit four inches from the top of the left centerfield fence. I think I was more nervous than she was because she has never participated in a Homerun Derby. Said Assistant Coach and Dad Tom LeBeau.

American Freedom 14u Finishes 3rd in Allen Fall Blast

10/13/08—The American Freedom 14u competed in their third tournament of the fall season in Allen, TX. The format consisted of a seven game guarantee with two pools of eight teams. The Freedom moved through pool B on Saturday with a record of 3-0-1 beating the Round Rock Flames, McKinney Fireballs, Texas Firestixx and finishing in a tie with the Texas Avengers. The Freedom record for the day was indicative of the solid pitching performances by Ryann Sills, Amanda Fiveash and ace Kacy Williams. We played hard today and had a relatively good day all in all, but we didn’t come close to playing up to our potential. Said Assistant Coach Tom LeBeau (TL). We made some critical defensive mistakes and did not hit the ball the way we can. We are still a new team with new players coming together, but we’re getting better and every tournament the girls are starting to gel together more and more. Said Coach TL

The tone Sunday was set early when the American Freedom came back at 8:00am to face the 95’ Glory (Gray). Hannah LeBeau got her team going early with a three run home run in the first inning. When you hit a pitch they way Hannah did it really sets the tone for your team and does a number on a pitchers confidence level. Said Head Coach Tom Pierce (TP) Set the tone it did as the Freedom picked up their defensive play from Saturday and cruised to easy victories over the Intimidators (Nordie) and set up the showdown everyone in the tournament was waiting for American Freedom (5-0-1) vs. American Liberty Kruzers (6-0). It was unfortunate that both the Freedom and the Kruzers were paired in the same pool knowing that only one will advance to the championship game because it was clear as the tournament progressed the two best teams would not advance to the championship game.

The game was in fact a showdown and proved to live up to the hype. The Kruzers a team who is known to be one of the best 14u teams in Texas and the up and coming Freedom poised to make a statement. The Kruzers scraped out one run in the first inning, which would proved to be enough as they went on to defeat the Freedom 1-0 in what many considered to be the tournament championship game. Kacy Williams put in a strong pitching performance and showed once again she is in the elite class of pitchers in the Texas. We were just a bit too tight at the plate. We swung at way to many rise balls and did not make their pitcher get the ball down, but I believe we played well for the first time facing a team of the Kruzers caliber. It’s teams like the Kruzers we want to play. Said Head Coach (TP)

American Freedom 14u show promise in their first tournament.

9/21/08 - The American Freedom 14u team competed in their first tournament of the season last weekend. The Desoto Fall Start-up included a field of 15 top teams from around the metroplex. “It’s was a good start to this new fall season and we saw something very promising play from our players.” said Head Coach Tom Pierce. “We didn’t finish where we would have liked, but for the first time playing together as a team we played solid softball.” Said Pierce

The American Freedom received solid pitching performances from all three of their pitchers. “I’m very pleased with what we saw from our pitching staff.” Said Assistant Coach Tom LeBeau “The bottom-line is, when your staff only gives up and average of two runs per game we should win.” Said LeBeau Amanda Fiveash got the first victory for this new American Freedom team with a win in the first pool game. “I was really pleased with Amanda’s outings. She is going to prove to be a solid part of our staff. ” Said LeBeau Ryann Sills the youngest member of the American Freedoms pitching staff had an impressive performance and showed great poise in the circle as she picked up the teams victory in their second pool game. Kacy Williams the veteran leader of the American Freedom pitching staff was rock solid in all three of her bracket starts though going 1W – 2L on the tournament. “Her record is not a good representation of how well she pitched. We didn’t give her enough run support, when you only give up one or two runs you should win.” Said Assistant Coach Tom McGuire

All in all the American Freedom didn’t hit the ball as well as they would have like, but they played extremely well in their first tournament together. “This team is going to be one to watch as they continue to get to know one another and develop.” Said Head Coach Tom Pierce

The American Freedom 14u to compete in their first tournament of the season.

The newly formed America Freedom 14u will compete in the Fall Madness 14u “Open” tournament in Grand Prairie, TX. The tournament sponsored by The Grand Prairie GSA Select Teams will be held at Jennifer McFalls Park. “This will be our first test as a team.” said Coach Tom Pierce. “We haven't had the opportunity to practice much together since adding five additional players, but we have a great crop of talent and they know how to play the game.”

The American Freedom 14u team has set achievable goals for this season and will use this tournament to further develop their team. “We may do some things different in this tournament. We’ll be placing players in different positions and hitting situations this weekend trying to determine the right fit for each player within the team.” said Pierce

The American Freedom 14u looking the add four players to finalize the 2008/2009 Roster.

Currently the American Freedom 14u is inviting any 14u eligible elite players to join them for a private workout at any one of our upcoming practices. The American Freedom 14u plans on extending their roster to thirteen (13) players by the end of the fall season. “We will be looking to add four (4) additional players to our roster.” said Assistant Coach Tom McGuire.

The American Freedom 14u needs include power hitting, catcher, 3rd base and outfield. If you have what it takes to compete at the highest level. If you have the desire to become an 18GOLD Player. If you have the mindset, work ethic and ability to work hard enough to get recruited and compete at the collegiate level. WE WANT YOU!!! Please take some time to fill out the Contact Us form and we’ll be happy to give you the opportunity to join us.

American Freedom 14u lays out blueprint for route to 18gold.

The American Freedom 14u team working with the 18gold Head Coach Tim Soefje has laid out their blueprint to building and becoming the up coming American Freedom 18gold team. The 14u team will establish their core team and continue to develop and build as the will compete this season (2008/2009) in 14u and 16u “A/Open” Tournaments. Following the 14u team will play 16u and 18u “A/Open” tournaments for the 2009/2010 season and will develop into the American Freedom 18gold Team in the fall 2010 through 2013.

Weekly Training Tip: “Teamwork”

Instruction by Pro: Cat Osterman

Catherine Leigh "Cat" Osterman(1983-04-16) is an American athlete and was one of the pitchers on the USA Women's Softball Team which won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the silver medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics. She started playing softball in first grade before quitting to play soccer and basketball. Cat found her way back to the diamond in fifth grade, when she was filling in as a backup pitcher for a little league team. She completed her collegiate eligibility in 2006 at the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a starting pitcher for the Longhorns since 2002.

Osterman held the NCAA Division I career strikeout record with 2,265 strikeouts over her four year career, surpassed by Monica Abbott on May 6, 2007. Cat is still the NCAA all-time leader for strikeouts per 7 innings, 14.34, as she pitched far fewer innings than Abbott. Cat also holds the Big 12 record with 25 Pitcher of the Week awards and the Big 12 record with four Pitcher of the Year awards. Osterman pitched a total of 20 NCAA career no-hitters and 10 NCAA career perfect games.

American Freedom 14u competes in their first 16u tournament of the season.

10/31/08—The American Freedom 14u competed in the 12th Annual Texas Elite Halloween Classic at Jennifer McFalls park last weekend. The Freedom started 1-1-1 in pool play on Saturday which included solid pitching performances by all three of the Freedom pitchers. The Freedom showed flashes of play that prove that they can compete at the next level which included the opportunity to play against some top level 16u teams from around North Texas.

Saturday’s performance created excitement for Sunday bracket play where the Freedom faced off against Texas ROHO at 8:00am. In convincing fashion the Freedom eliminated the Texas ROHO by a score of 12—1. The game included a brilliant pitching performance by Freedom Ace lefthander Kacy Williams. The hitting parade was led by the Hannah LeBeau, Aizia Azarcon, Selena Garcia and Kelly McGuire. The heart of the lineup had the table set by Kacy Williams, Zoey Pierce, Kylie Miyata, Amanda Fiveash, and Ryann Sills. Defensively the Freedom’s Kylie Miyata once again proved she is one of the best second baseman in North Texas.

The Freedom didn’t fare as well in the second game on Sunday as they took on the NTX Mayhem. The Freedom behind the solid pitching of Amanda Fiveash held the NTX Mayhem scoreless until the third inning leading the way 3-0. The Mayhem scraped together a six run rally in the third to beat the Freedom . I thought Amanda pitched well until the third inning where she just didn’t hit her spot as well as she had earlier in the game. Every pitcher goes through moments like that. Said Assistant Coach Tom LeBeau. I know Amanda will take this outing and learn from it and continue to develop into what I believe as one to the top North Texas Pitchers along side Kacy Williams. Said LeBeau.

The Freedom 14u continues grow and develop as a team. They have shown flashes of what is to come from this team, program and players. As they continue to develop together and get to know one another the Freedom is expected to become a North Texas power house program focused on the helping of their players get to and play at the collegiate level.