KC Ambush 2012 – 12uC/B – Tommy Diibon (816)786.0603
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Those of you in the know, knows what it’s like to be a part of a competitive softball team. The countless hours you spend at the fields, travel time to and from practices and tournaments as well For us coaches we add the 24/7 mental exhaustion created over simple lineup changes, etc. Well let me tell you a little bit about KC Ambush 06.
We are a brand new, second year 12A team. We had to basically start from scratch last year after adding 6 new players. We had to get to know each other from top to bottom – the families, the coaches, but most importantly – the kids.
We had a tall task of learning how to handle different emotions, as well as making sure the girls all bonded on and off the field. You don’t think about those things until you are in the moment. I have to say, at first I was a little worried. They were shy, didn’t want to communicate and timid (we practice with an older team). But at the end of the day I knew we had something special. Every girl knowing their role and buy-in was key.
We felt like a broken record when we’d tell our kids to work hard and never give up as we were creating a culture!
Of course there were questions of the process: Why are we working on this? Why aren’t we practicing more (we practice only twice a week for 2 hours at a time)? Why do we work on defense so much? Why not get a pitching machine and work on hitting like (insert team name here)?
During the season I would even ask myself some questions. You know the quote, “Defense wins championships”. I now believe this. We didn’t hit as well as I expected us to all season. However, we’ve always had SOLID defense.
So Wednesday, here comes the Heartland World Series. Our last tournament of the season. Not knowing what the outcome would be, I knew we would at least be good defensively. The first 2 days were just pool games we’d eventually finish, 1-2-1.
From the get, these girls were ripping the cover off the ball. I didn’t want to jinx it so I kept my mouth shut but my spidey senses were well aware.
By Friday evening, we found ourselves in a must win game – win or go home. We were home team and down by one. Near the end of the game, all I could think was, “this is it”! Until we got a hit. Then another hit! Before I knew it, bases were loaded. I thought to myself, “no way”. WAY! We were shaking hands and I was telling the girls I would see them in the morning cause we were moving on.
Saturday morning rolls around and we’re going to be in a heat advisory ALL day. We were in the double elimination loser’s bracket
That means, if we wouldn’t had lost, we’d only have to play 1 game to get to the championship. Mind you we only have 2 Pitchers for the world series. What I witnessed over this past Saturday was something like a miracle as well as a glimpse for the girls to realize how good they actually are. Every team we were to play in the loser’s bracket was against teams we’d never or hardly beaten during the season. We’d have to win all three to get to the ‘ship (IN THIS HEAT). “Hold this beer and watch us work!”
Our first game was against a team we couldn’t beat during the regular season. Once again, our bats were HOT. We FINALLY beat them 8-5 but it really wasn’t even that close. After the game – while leaving the field – an opposing parent along with a coach stopped me to tell me how incredible our defense is. He said, “he hasn’t seen a solid defense like that in this age group EVER!” and that, “it was refreshing to watch our team.” THAT was the best compliment/feeling a coach can receive.
The second game was a team we had already faced in pool play but knew we couldn’t take them lightly. Our bats stayed hot as we came away with a 4-1 victory.
The 3rd game was to be an all out fist to cuffs against a team we always have fits with. This was in the midst of seeing the devil run across the parking lot. I knew our girls were not done playing but the way this heat was setup… our catcher had developed a migraine and other girls were starting to mention other things as well. Needless to say we pulled it off with a 9-3 victory as the girls never took their foot off the gas.
FINALLY, we’re at the ‘ship! Against a team that’s been undefeated for the entire tournament
.
Our girls were hot, sweaty, filthy, smelling like a pasture and sun burnt. But most of all, they were hungry. They knew we had a chance to win this thing. It was a tall order as we’d have to beat this team twice in order to bring home the gold. Did I mention that we had to play 4 games to get here while they only had to play one? We made our beds so we laid in it.
The fight that they gave was an experience I will NEVER forget! The heart that they all displayed was priceless. From some amazing pitching efforts, hits, to some crazy plays in the field our girls came together as a unit! We ended up going into extra innings ITB twice and fell short 5-4 to bring home the “silver”. But in my heart we came away with WAY more intangibles. The bar has now been raised.
I walked out of that park with my chin held so high I almost snapped the front of my neck. I can not tell you how proud I am of each and every one of my girls. It may have only taken us all season for our bats to come alive but what better time?
Next season we will be raising the bar as a first year 14’s team. We can only continue to have our solid defense along with strong bats.
08 strapped up their laces, sharpened their bayonets and loaded up on the face paints to match their ghillie suits at the Marucci Goliath tournament in Shawnee, KS over the weekend. This was the girls first true 10uB tournament as they’ve entered & placed in open tournaments before so this was a bit different. The competition is usually better and more consistent.
08 started the fall 10uC with hopes of with hard work and dedication becoming B over the winter. They DID THAT!
The moxie of the team – lead by coach Kurt Calton – is a mixture of athletic, hard working and dedicated girls with all families on the same page with the coaches. What’s better is, collectively, they’re more like “neighbors” instead of softball sisters.
They have all done everything that’s been asked of them with enthusiasm and it’s shown over the course of the winter. I really think they could compete in A-ball if we had the pitching. Last fall we started with 1 1st year pitcher on the team and picked up another player who decidedto give it a go at pitcher. Pitcher Cameron Hoehns has worked her tail off over the winter to consistently own the circle for our team.
Pitcher Aryana Roberts is also hard at work and it’s a matter of when, not if, she’ll find her consistent form. Where Ary currently lacks in pitching experience at the moment, she more than makes up for it at the plate. After an off-season of switching to the left side of the plate she’s worked her tail off to become our true speedy leadoff hitter. Very exciting times for sure.
As typical with Ambush teams, we PLAY DEFENSE! Others have taken notice as this is what I’ve received from coach Kurt (via text) from his overall observation of the weekend. There were multiple outstanding defensive plays being made the entire weekend. Everything he said->
As far as offense, these guys have been hitting the off-season hard at that as well. Being aggressive at the plate with timely hits have allowed us to enjoy being on the winning side more often than not.
For this group, I figure them to start pushing the A barrier sooner rather than later. It’s not all about A/B/C level at this point as it’s ultimately more about their development (in and outside of softball). I must say, they’re developing quite nicely.
I knew the day would come sooner or later when all I hear is “WOW! You guys have a great defense” or “you guys are a fun team to watch”. FINALLY… that day is here. All I heard all weekend were FACTS. Not just from our own parents but from other parents from other teams, the umpires and other head coaches we faced.
I know a lot of our parents wonder why we only work on defense in practice after the rumor mill is full of teams that have 3 hours hitting and bunting practices 4 times a week in 100 degree temps with 2 feet of snow – up hill while barefooted (is that a word?). Well this weekend showed why we do what WE do! There is a method to the madness.
I can say finally say with confidence that we are coming together as a unit! The girls are trusting each other more and more.
But first, I have to brag though on a couple of players.
Addison Gardner is our center fielder. Every time I see the ball hit anywhere in the grass I know she will be there giving her best to get to it. Be like Addison Gardner!
This one particular ball was hit hard and FAR to straight away center. I thought NO WAY she was going to get to this ball. All I could do was pray we have a good relay and try to make a play at 3rd. There’s an old adage, pray or worry, but don’t do both.
Worry NOT! This time, my prayers were answered because out of nowhere, Addison came and made an outstanding diving over the shoulder catch. The other teams head coach was out there before I was to congratulate her!
Of course I didn’t want to show her too much Love. Although I wanted to sprint out there to hug her, all I could muster at the time was, “nice catch!” However, she got ALL the dugout love upon her return.
Another player that stood out defensively was Jae Tunley.
Jae is our short stop who has mad range. I can’t wait until Jae finally realizes how good and fast she is. She tells me almost on a daily basis that her dream college is OU (don’t they all say that?). However, if this kid continues to work hard, her dream just may come true.
Jae made some outstanding plays at short stop. From leaping to line drive to over the shoulder catches out to center field she pulled out all the tools of her arsenal over the weekend. Her range displayed while making a catch in foul territory was probably my favorite. That play also made the umpire stop her to tell her how unbelievably surprised he was she got to it.
All in all I could go on and on about each and every player – and I probably will next time. Every single player had some type of crazy awesome play that they were a part of. And now as a team all we can do is get better and grow closer together.
I am so happy and proud of them and glad I am a part of this Ambush Family.
I usually write up something about the weekend in a story telling format. This may eventually get to that but I’m going to try something new today. A list of observations from this weekend. There’s just too much random stuff in my head to try to make a story.
On the rebound: Our pitching is coming around. The beginning of the season we struggled a little bit coming out the gate. But we’ve had 2 weekends of consistency out of pitching. With that, we’re a way more balanced team.
Our defense is AWESOME! I’ll put our defense up against anyone. We make the routine plays as well as make the almost impossible plays look routine. Of course there’s still a lot left we can improve on but I love our chances in any situation. Having said that, every game /situation is still a learning experience.
Interesting things commented on: We played up 18A last weekend and the team was confident they were going to beat “a bunch of 7th graders”. However in the midst of their 5-0 defeat the coach took it out of his way to compliment our pitcher Kaylee Diggs who was mowing down his hitters one by one. This weekend she had the best game pitching I’ve ever been able to witness. Pitching a 0-0 tie, 7 innings pitched, 14K, 4H, 1BB. She hit every spot consistently and couldn’t miss no matter the location.
More interesting thing – asked of me this time. We had a particular umpire that umpired 3-4 of our games this weekend. He came up to me before game 3 of our 5 game bracket day, “I’m wondering how do you guys continue to do all this winning with no true power hitter(s)?” Best I could describe it for him was, think of the 2015 World Champions Royals. We keep the train moving. I’ve been really lucky to inherit selfless girls that take care of their business outside of Ambush by bettering their games outside of my time with them.
It’s all in their body motion – We were playing a team we had a few words with over them trying to overun/dictate our corner of our small warmup area before a game. Our girls were chomping at the bit trying to play them. We had to wait to finish our game and then another game before we’d finally meet up with them. That game ended up 2-2 (which we should’ve won). Anyways, we met up again with them in bracket when it matters most. It was a 0-0 tie for the first 3 innings. There was one play in particular that set the tone of the tournament in my opinion. 2 outs, top of 3, runner on 1st and 2nd and there’s a single up the middle and coach sends the runner home. MaKenzie Moore threw a ROPE to catcher Camille Davidson for the out at the plate. Of course we were pumped and stoked but in the midst of it all, I managed to pay really close attention to THEM between innings. They came out of their dugout SO slow and each and every one of them WALKED onto the field. Not one person even slightly trotted to their position. Right then and there I knew we had them. the next half inning, the floodgates opened and we scored 8 runs as they simply gave up.
Did I mention how awesome our defense is: We simply won a game on lack basic techniques on defense by the other team. The entire time when the other team makes a defensive mistake I’m pointing out that’s why we do things this way or that way. The simplest things we do (I’m not telling the mistakes they made) literally allowed us to score 6 runs just because their players weren’t taught or told to do things correctly.
Goals! For a 1st year team, our goal is to always be at least .500. This year, I challenged our girls to think, “#WhyNotUs?”. With the tougher schedule and opponents this year, we’re comfortably above .500. More closer to .600 I think. Second year goals are always .750 or better. I’ll push that envelope when we get there.
Did I also mention how dedicated the girls are?: Most of my girls are multi-sport athletes. They work out on their own and train year round and are constantly striving to get better. I look at other teams players through the years and see how their players have matured and although my girls have gotten more mature they’ve all taken great care of their bodies as they’re growing and reaming in great shape.
Our defense is awesome: One team we were playing had a ball hit to their SS close to second base and the SS tagged the base and threw to 1st for the double play. Their crowd went CRAZY like either it was their first ever double play or the SS made a SC top 10 play. I was completely baffled by this. This tournament alone we made 2, 6-4-3 double plays (2 in one game) and 1, 4-6-3 double play. That’s not including other types of double plays.
I know. I know… Not a lot about the actual tournament in this segment but these were just my observations over the tournament. However, I’m totally biased and a total homer.
At the end of the day, I feel (and many will agree with me) that we’re one of those teams you don’t want to face in bracket. Rightfully so. Watch us get our asses handed to us in this weekend’s upcoming bracket.
Within the last 2 weeks our KC Ambush ’03 group chat has received 2 very welcomed texts. 2 of our players have received clearance from off-season surgeries to start participating in full team activities.
McKenna Lester (Blue Springs South – 2021 – BL/TL – 1st/OF) has been cleared to participate in full team activities after having offseason reconstructive ACL surgery. McKenna has been with us for 5 years and I’ve witnessed this kid grow into what I’d call the hardest working kid in the area. A total gym rat & mutli-sport athlete. Last year she lead Ambush ’03 in batting average and slugging percentage and was a big player in our very successful season.
This year she joined us for the first time over the weekend and was nervous as all get out to get out there and accomplish her first hit. Once she got past that, I could quickly see the old Mckenna starting to surface. She ended up going 5/15 (.333 BA) with 2 doubles. The free spirited one even shocked me with showing some patience at the plate.
Last fall we picked up Alysa Garlock (Fort Osage – 2022 – BR/TR – C/Util) to solidify our roster in all areas of the field. She is recovering from, superior labral tear from anterior to posterior, better known as a SLAP tear. She had off-season surgery to repair the tear and we received the good news text yesterday that she’s cleared to ease back into the swing of things.
She played with us a couple games last season in the summer as she didn’t have a team and the girls loved her just as much as she loved the fit. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for these 2. Now we can start playing some good team ball without makeshift rosters with players playing out of position, etc.
I’ve been waiting for the moment for the girls to settle and worry more about softball rather than being forced into an unwanted position since last fall.
The left field fence Katie conquered for a Grand Slam!
The scenario – We got beat up pretty bad in the bottom half of the first inning and found ourselves down 7-1 before we could blink. After a scoreless 2nd inning by both teams something happened! Something HAPPENED happened!
There are moments throughout a coaches tenure we’ve all been in where we marvel at other teams and wonder, “why we aren’t doing THAT?” That’s the moment I had in the first inning. Their team was hitting hard shot after hard shot all over the field. I wondered why we weren’t able to stroke the ball with hard line drives like that? After that first inning, we collectively thought that the game was practically over and hopefully we could finish competitively.
NOT THESE GIRLS! Before the 3rd inning these girls must’ve drank a Fortnite “Chug Jug” or something.
Down 7-1 in the top of the 3rd, it started with a single by our #9 hitter, Riley McGovern (Toro). Our leadoff hitter, Khaliana Garrett struck out looking because she wasn’t granted a timeout right before the pitch. Lesson learned – 1 out. Omara Love follows with another single. Katelyn Ravasini (Rav) singles to load the bases. Up comes Camillie Davidson (Millie) with a bases clearing triple. It was a SHOT! Now I’m like, now THOSE are the types of hits I’m seeing from other teams. But I’m still skeptical.
Down 7-4 with Millie on 3rd, Kaylee Diggs singles to drive Millie home. Now it’s 7-5 with 1 out and Diggs is on 1st. Mckenna Lester hits a ROPE double to left center field to plate Diggs. She reaches 3rd on the throw home. 7-6 with still only 1 out. Payton Meyers hard linedrives out for out #2. Pitching change.
Our next batter Holly Stewart is walked on 4 straight pitches. The inning starter “Toro” is walked to load the bases. Khaliana hits a single to center field to score Mckenna and Holly. We’re up 8-7 & I’m still skeptical with the way our bats are going.
So Omara hits a single to move Toro to 3rd and Khali to 2nd basically loading the bases. This brings Rav to the plate with the bases loaded.
Timeout for a backstory – For the 2018 season, Katie was rounding out the bottom of our order while top 3 in leading the team in strikeouts. We started hitting together during the last fall season with a goal of cutting down on strikeouts for upcoming season. We completely changed her swing and after the first lesson she would later admit that she actually cried because it was difficult. However, she bought in. With her being so cerebral, she started to catch on quickly and the muscle memory was coming along exponentially faster than normal students.
She would look really good in lessons so much to the point that I couldn’t wait to see her on the field. Our very first tournament, she went 11/16, 0 strikeouts and quickly moved from 7-8 hitter to anchor the 3 spot. But I was still a little skeptical because anyone can have a great tournament. I’m the type of coach that wants technique right 100% of the time instead of being satisfied with that 10% technically wrong awesome play you made. So we wait and see…
Time back in from backstory – Bases loaded and Rav is up to the plate after already having her 2nd solid tournament at the plate (1 strikeout by this point).
I’m yelling, “STAY HOT #8!” I then turn around to head back to my 3rd base coaches box. Toro asks me the kind of question you call timeout, walk to the circle and occasionally ask a pitcher to take their mind off of their current situation – “If you could have a super power what would it be?” Who asks that?
Anyhow, my response, “I’d will Rav to hit this ball over the fence to score these 3 runs!” She goes, “Really? That’s not a superpower!” I said, “Rav’s about to swing out of her shoes as she loves this moment”.
Toro replied, “Really?”
“Yes!”
I could just tell. She had that look and she lives to be the hero.
I turn around and get ready for the pitch… All of a sudden I get a sudden case of whiplash as I knew it was a goner as soon as it came off the bat. It cleared about 10 feet beyond the 200 fence close to the left field foul pole. 12-7!
Millie ended the inning with another hard liner to RF.
After the game, I asked Rav, was she trying to hit it out? She didn’t want to give me the honest answer knowing I’m a 100% all the time techniques guy but she reluctantly stuck to her guns, “yes!”
I had to explain to her that I told Toro that I knew she’d swing for the fences and it’s ok within reason. I found her trying to do the same thing a game or 2 later and had to reel her back in to stick to technique.
Overall, Rav is 2nd on the team in BA (Omara Love) with a .611 BA, .889 Slugging percentage, 3 strikeouts, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR & 24 RBI’s through 14 games .
We win the game and eventually fight our way to the championship game by game 4 for the day. We ended up taking second but I couldn’t be more proud of the girls. They realize there’s more specific work we need to do this week at practice and that’s the good part. This is going to be fun.
KC Ambush 03 at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex – July 2018
The moment has finally arrived. Technically KC Ambush 03 played it’s first tournament at the beginning of March in Joplin. We didn’t fare too well in our first go around.
I hate excuses but we’ve been battling the injury bug during the off-season and were missing some important pieces to the well oiled machine. I’ve learned a lot about our team in the process but, it was what it was.
NOW, we have ’06 ready to step into big-time A softball as well and I’m equally excited about this group as I am about ’03. A couple of players have really grown over the off-season and it’s time to, as Dick Vermeil would say, “take the diaper off”. It’s going to be FUN watching these girls battle and I personally can’t wait.
’06 with the championship bling Fall 2018
So now we wait! We have our normal Wednesday practices tonight and I think it’s going to be really good one we have planned. 06 has a really good heart to heart to hash out before we hit the season as I feel they need reminding on how a total team effort will take them far. However, I really feel they’ll be up to the challenge. Only time will tell.
For now… Ambush 07 & 08 will have to wait another week to get their feet wet. They’ve both registered B from previously C. This year is going to be a really good learning year for them both. I’m expecting them to stay competitive throughout the year. Overall, I love the direction the entire organization is heading in terms of competitiveness.
Stay tuned as the season is officially underway and the updates will be more frequent.
KC Ambush 08, finished the season with a strong weekend outing and on the way to gaining some additional hardware. I’m REALLY excited about this group as they’re really fundamentally sound offensively and defensively across the board. They really have fun while making it all look good and seamless. Of course, what 10 year old team doesn’t have more things they need to work on? But THIS group right HERE!!! They’re well on their way to becoming a household name sooner rather than later.
When we began the fall season, we only had one inexperienced pitcher on the roster and we picked up one in hopes of developing her potential to be game ready by next year. In the mean time, these girls put their heads down and went to work on the practice field.
The first tournament they entered, you could tell they were getting the cobwebs out and it was more of a, “let’s see what we got” mood from coaches on down to players. This time around we knew what we had and was trying to go to ludicrous speed.
We fell just short of the top bracket (because of a tie) while going undefeated the entire weekend. However, we felt that winning the entire thing was definitely in our realm.
The best compliment we could ever receive… We were in the middle of our semi-final game and afterwards a couple of our fans came over to us and said, “we have to tell you what we just over-heard. Basically, the coaches (we’d eventually face) were talking while they were looking at our game. They discussed it’d probably be KC Ambush who we’d play. They then said, awww man! They don’t make any mistakes and are a good bunting and aggressive team.”
Talk about motivation! We’re ALWAYS the smallest team on the field EVERY time we play. Their girls were HUGE compared to ours. I pulled the girls over to us close so the other team wouldn’t hear what I was going to say to them before the game.
“Hey girls! Come here!… You see that team over there? They’re HUGE aren’t they?” The girls yelled “YES!”
“Shhhhh! Indoor voices.” So the other team wouldn’t hear.
“That team is scared of you guys, They were overheard saying how good you guys are and that you don’t make any mistakes in the field and how good and aggressive you guys are. Now go SHOW OUT!”
Show out they did indeed. No errors the entire game and a key bunt to pull ahead to a 1-0 lead. Another Double that turned into a home-run when the other team threw the ball around. Eventually, we came away with a 6-0 championship victory. Excellent weekend the entire weekend with PLENTY to be excited about heading towards next season.
Soon as we ended the championship ceremonies and handed out tournament MVP trophies, the winds and rains pushed us off the field. Perfect timing!
KC Ambush 06 took runner-up in their first tournament of the fall season this weekend: Mizuno Fall Swing For The Rings. We went into the tournament to see where we were as a team in order to see what we need to improve on. Out the gate, the girls looked flat and nervous. I had to give them a pre-game speech to remind them to “fake it til we make it” and to not “look” nervous.
That means, no matter what we look like or do, we act like we’re having the best day EVER!!! I try not to talk too much to the girls unless they REALLY need it. They needed to relax before the first game as it was against an eventual long term “rival”.
I won’t bore you with details so I’ll leave you with my observations:
The girls need to get better at communicating. I’m going to have to do some outside the box thinking on how to accomplish that.
They don’t seem to have the problem that ’03 has been known to have from time to time with “turning it on” during pool play instead of waiting for bracket. They seem to take every game serious.
We’re really good defensively and will be even better once we get to communicating.
We need to work on lead-off timing and aggressive base-running.
The girls play for each other. They’re in that phase where they don’t want to be the one to let their teammates down. They nervously put their head down and just do their jobs.
Some players have REALLY stepped up to the challenge over the weekend. Saw some bars raised this weekend in some individual play and let them know they’re now held to a higher standard.
We had the injury bug bite us this weekend. The injured players wouldn’t accept no & hated sitting the bench. I LOVE IT, but it’s a marathon/ not a sprint kiddo. Get well for the long haul!
USSSA umpires are usually right more than wrong on a lot of their “judgement calls”. There was an abnormal amount of missed calls. Although, I must admit, none of their “missed” calls directly changed the outcome of the games.
All in all, I’m happy the girls actually took 2nd place. They know they’re good but still need a lot of work and will be more hungry and focused during practice while still believing. The kicker is, not one kid on this current team has previous A experience.
KC Ambush 06 took runner-up in their first tournament of the fall season this weekend: Mizuno Fall Swing For The Rings. We went into the tournament to see where we were as a team in order to see what we need to improve on. Out the gate, the girls looked flat and nervous. I had to give them a pre-game speech to remind them to “fake it til we make it” and to not “look” nervous.
All in all, I’m happy the girls actually took 2nd place. They know they’re good but still need a lot of work and will be more hungry and focused during practice while still believing. The kicker is, not one kid on this current team has previous A experience.