2/21: Fusion Wins Pekin Shootout - Qualifies for 2010 ASA Northern Nationals

In the Olympic Spirit, the BNGSA Fusion struck gold at the Pekin Shootout this weekend and qualify for the 2010 ASA 16U Northern Nationals! The Fusion went 4-0 in the double elimination tourney defeating the Blue Springs (Mo) Ice 5-2 in the Championship game to earn the hardware and Northern Nationals bid. On the weekend the Fusion pitching and defense allowed 6 runs in 4 games and ate at Avanti's and Steak-n-Shake.

In the first game on Sunday, the Fusion rode a strong pitching performance by Danielle Warner and defeated the Crete Crush 4-1. The Fusion took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two out single by 2B Jane McCullough. The Crush put their lone run on the board in the 5th to make the score 2-1. The Fusion scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th and set the Crush down 1-2-3 in the 7th (after catcher's obstruction) for the win. Danielle Warner went the distance for the win scattering six hits against a well disciplined team at the plate. Warner walked two while striking out eight.

Good Hitting
Jane McCullough (1-2) 2RBI; Brigette Tracy (1-2) 1R; Mychelle Stevens (1-2) 3B 1RBI 1R;
Danielle Warner (1-1) 1R; Cassie Saufley (1-2) 1R

Good Pitching
Danielle Warner (W) 7IP 6H 1R 1ER 2BB 8K

Defensive play of the game
Kyley McKeown - Outfield assist.

In the Championship Game, the Fusion plated 4 runs in the top of the first and cruised to a 5-2 victory over the Blue Springs (MO) Ice. Chloe Hundman earned the complete game win for the Fusion. A two out bases loaded double in the top of the first inning by 1B Cassie Saufley gave the Fusion the lead for good. The Ice scored one in the bottom of first while the teams exchanged runs in the third. Hundman pitched five innings, scattering four hits and striking out eight.

Good Hitting
Chloe Hundman (2-3) 1R; Shannon Stuart (1-2) 1R; Cassie Saufley (1-2) 2B, 2RBI

Good Pitching
Chloe Hundman (W) 5IP 4H 2R 1ER 8K

Defensive play(s) of the game
Kyley McKeown - Pickoff runner at 3B; Mychelle Stevens fielded grounder and tagged runner behind her between 2B/3B.

In addition to Northern National Tourney Bid, the Fusion will earn 9 ASA Points. It is now time to move on to Illinois High School softball. The Fusion will return to action on June 9, 2010 at Champion Fields vs. the BNGSA Magic.

Way to go Fusion! Have a great High School season. Listen to your coaches and play hard.

2/19: Fusion Wins Pair at Pekin Shootout

The BNGSA Fusion started the 2010 season on a strong note by winning two games at the 16U Pekin Shootout.

The Fusion opened the tournament and 2010 season with a 4-3 win over the Quad City Shockers. Mychelle Stevens scored the winning run in the bottom of the last inning on a Shocker error to give the Fusion the victory. The Fusion took advantage of the 6 walks issued by Shockers' pitching. Four of these walks scored.

The Fusion defense was errorless in support of Fusion pitchers Chloe Hundman and Danielle Warner. Warner picked up the win in relief allowing 1 run, no walks and 3 k's in two innings pitched.

Good Hitting
Canella Ontiveros: 2-3; Shannon Stuart: 0-0, 2 BB, 2R

Good Pitching
Danielle Warner (W) 2 IP, 3h, 1ER, 0 BB, 3K
Chloe Hundman 3 IP, 1h, 2ER, 2 BB, 5 K

In the nightcap that started on time at 11:00 pm, the Fusion got all the runs they needed in the first inning en route to a 4-0 victory over the Missouri Hurricanes. Fusion pitcher Chloe Hundman went the distance for the 6 inning, 2 hit shutout of the coin flip designated home team from St. Louis. Fusion catcher Kyley McKeown was on the receiving end of the shutout. The Fusion defense made some big defensive plays in the 5th inning to shut down an attempted rally by the Hurricanes.

Good Hitting
Christina Pagan 1-2, 2 RBI's; Chloe Hundman 1-3, 1R, 1 RBI, 2B; Mychelle Stevens 1-2

Good Pitching
Chloe Hundman (W) 6 IP, 2H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6K

This is not the latest the Fusion has ever played. Back in May 2006 the Fusion played in a championship game starting at midnight in a Pontiac 12U-B Invitational. The Fusion finished second to Sauk Valley Storm. Yeah who?

The Fusion returns to action at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Dragon Dome in winner's bracket play. A 16U Northern Nationals bid is the reward for the winner.

Link to Tourney Brackets

2/19 - Pekin Shootout Update

No time changes except Game #8 the one I previously mentioned : Gm #8 on Saturday has been changed from 8:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Uniforms Tonight: Black Socks, Black Pants and Black Jersey.
• Tennis shoes might be better than plastic cleats.
• May be chilly in the dome. Be prepared for that.
• Be careful traveling to Pekin if it starts snowing.

Link to Tourney Bracket and Rules Make Gm #8 time change.

2/17 - Dragon Dome Tourney Update

Game #8 has been changed from 8:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. I won't update the bracket files.

Link to Tourney Bracket and Rules

• Please arrive as close to 5:30 on Friday night as possible.
• We will be wearing our regular uniforms.
• Bring sliding pads and you might want to wear batting gloves on the bases.
• Shoes: No metal. I would bring your plastic shoes or tennis shoes work.
• LETS WIN BOTH GAMES ON FRIDAY So we can take Saturday off.
• In the event weather is an issue, I will use text messages to communciate and will post to this website....and of course, there is snow in the forecast.

Most importantly, here is the unavailability list: -- PLEASE CORRECT ME ASAP IF I am wrong.

Friday @ 6:30 -- Brigette and Cassie
Friday @ 11:00 pm (Win at 6:30) -- Cassie

Saturday @ 3:30 pm (Lose 1st game on Friday) -- Mychelle and Jane
Saturday @ 6:30 pm (If we lost at 3:30) - Mychelle and Jane
Saturday @ 11:00 pm (Win at 3:30) -Mychelle

Sunday - FULL SQUAD!

Fusion Raffle Fundraiser

I have the tickets for the Fusion Raffle Fundraiser. We have 333 tickets to sell by the end of February as the raffle starts on March 1, 2010. Proceeds will be used as we discussed at the parent's meeting last Friday night. I would like everyone to try and sell some. 30 tickets would be really good as that is 1/11th of our allotment.

Some of the girls are meeting Wednesday Night at Pheasant Lanes WEDNESDAY (Tonight-2/17) at 5:45 to sell tickets to my and Coach Herek's 32 lane bowling league. Wear something Fusion if you are coming out. I am on Lanes 11-12.

Action: Please let me know if you will not be participating ASAP! If you are getting tickets, I will need a guarantee you will be selling or cover the tickets you take. I will have the tickets with me this weekend.

Fusion Girl Places in WYSE Competition

Congratulations to Christina Pagan who was a Varsity winner for the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering competition sponsored by McLean County Community Compact held on 2/6/2010.

Division--Unlimited at-large
Chemistry: Third, Christina Pagan - Normal West.
Math: Second, Christina Pagan - Normal West

Way to Go Christina!!

Link to Pantagraph Article 0n 2/08/2010

Cindy Bristow's Outside Pitch Hitting Philosophy

Excellent Hitting summary -- Cindy Bristow's Outside Pitch Hitting Philosophy

What hitters must learn is to keep their upper body (chest) facing the ball while finishing their swing in the direction they want the ball to go in, which is, the opposite field.

Different than Alabama Philosophy --
Too many hitters try to step toward the ball with their foot which only makes hitting this pitch harder. You always stride to the same spot no matter where the pitch is. This is due to the fact that pitches will break far too late for you to step at them based on inside or outside locations.

What hitters must go to hit the outside pitch includes the following:

•Keep their chests facing the outside part of the plate
•Continue their follow through toward the opposite field
•Be patient and let the ball travel closer to the plate than usual
•Stay tall and don’t lean into the ball with your waist --Coach Warner adds: Don't let your TOP hand elbow get away from your body as you will ground out to SS/P or miss the pitch
•Keep your hands ahead of your barrel during your swing (called an Inside-Out Swing)

Link to Article: 5 Drills for hitting the Outside Pitch

Dragon Dome Tourney Times

Received the times for the Dragon Dome Tourney the weekend on 2/19 -2/21.

First game is Friday 2/19 at 6:30 p.m vs. QC Shockers. If we are fortunate enough to win our first two games, we don't play Saturday. If not we will be back Saturday afternoon or evening.

Now that we have the times, please let me know availability tomorrow night at the parent's meeting or e-mail me at bngsafusion@gmail.com.

Tournament Bracket and Rules

Parent's Meeting - February 12th

Please put on your schedule a parent's meeting on Friday Febraury 12th starting at 7:00. I would like to have one parent there and the girls are welcome to attend. I have administrative items to cover and would like to review the summer schedule before the High School season starts. We need to get this out of the way before the start of the High School season. I will be looking for a location and will communicate it when I find it.

2010 Fusion Summer Schedule - Revised

I attended the ASA state coaches meeting on Sunday and I am pleased to announce our complete summer scheduled in addition to our indoor tourney in Pekin the weekend of February 19-21 (I do not have game times yet).

We are in the Heart of Illinois League White division with the Angels JV, BNGSA Shock and the Oly Fire. Winner of this division earns a berth to Northern Nationals. In the Red division are the BNGSA Angels 14, BNGSA Angels 15, BNGSA Magic and BNGSA Bengals.

We open the season Wednesday June 9th vs. the BNGSA Magic in a DH at Champion #6. In additional to our tournament play, we have 8 additional doubleheaders scheduled. We play six doubleheaders at Champion Fields, one each at IWU, Minooka and Olympia High School. Please note we are taking the weekend of July 9th off.

The advance schedule should help in asking for time off work for both players, coaches and parents. We have a roster of 11 and I need to now of any conflicts ASAP. There are some players still looking for teams and it is my responsibility to make sure we have at least 8-9 players at each game. The only changes to the schedule will be an addition of a few practices, reschedules due to rain, or later in July to get ready for Nationals.

I need to share a couple of things the ASA announced on Sunday.

1) Metal cleats are allowed this year in ASA play. They are legal in both IHSA and ASA play. Metal provides better traction but also introduces additional risks when sliding and with shin splints. Your call on what you want to do as shoes are bought for this season.

2) Every coach or parent in the dugout will need a background check conducted through the ASA. I will be handling.

3) We are using a new ball this year in BNGSA, ASA state and National Tournaments. I am getting a half dozen to practice with. Should not be a big deal as each tourney usually uses different balls anyway.

4) Lots and lots of discussion at the state meeting on A vs. B level softball. You as parents and my coaching staff should be proud of our girls reaching the level of softball they have. We have challenged them and they have worked very hard. Winning is secondary to the development of their softball careers, to the life lessons they have learned and most of all the friendships they have made. We are doing it right.