Sweat plus sacrifice equals success

   

News as of July 10th 2010

Congratulations to the AZ PANIC! for winning the 2010  18U Independence Day Classic.  Great job for the entire team


News as of May 11th 2010
Congratulations to both SalPointe CHS and Benson HS for reaching the Semi-Finals of the State Championships for 5A and 2A.  Do good Scooter, Kayla, Stacey and Stephanie, and our former teammate Dana when your opportunities come this week.  We are routing for you all to be playing in the championship games this weekend.   Coach Jeff

News   as of April 30th 2010
Well, the High School regular season is over.  It was a high school season of ups and downs for our PANIC! family but through it all I think we will be a better team for it this summer.  Many of you have added motivation to work hard for the PANIC! and I like that.  It is time for the State Playoffs and I am cheering for Benson, Buena and SalPointe.  Congratulations for making the playoffs, now do well. :)  We will have our kickoff meeting as soon as the playoffs allow.  This is a mandatory meeting and we will layout all the rules for the season as well as discuss the tournaments and fundraising.  It is almost time to get really busy with conditioning, fundraising, and practice.     Coach Jeff

 
News as of January 6 2010
Happy New Year to all.   2009 was a great year for the PANIC! and we hope that 2010 is even better than ever.  We had a great fall with winning a TCS  tournament and were runner's up in another.   We will be helping Next Level Softball  with the softball clinic on the 16th of January in Sierra Vista.   Pass the word to any 8 to 16 year olds that want to attend a really good clinic.   T-Shirts are included.   On the 17th of January, Coach Ashlee heads back to University of Maryland to continue playing softball as she fights back from her surgery.  Wish her luck.  

As always we will be aggressively fundraising from February to June this year.  Our goals being Utah and Hawaii this summer, along with some showcases.  It will be a great summer. 

News as of October 22 2009
First of all, Happy Birthday to Angie, the best Team Manager ever.  Today was her birthday, send her a text at 520 559 5282 and wish her  happy birthday.  We could not do what we do without her.  

 Second, congratulations to the AZ PANIC! for winning the TCS Fall Kickoff Classic in Phoenix on October 10th.   The PANIC! won four games during the elimination round to win the championship; including the championship game decided with the International Tiebreaker.   It was a great team victory and some great individual performances across the board.  Every single player did something special and great.
1.  Kayla pitched five games in a row including 4 back to back games during the elimination rounds and had 36 strikeouts.  She was on fire.  Also, she and Mia did a great job in driving in runs.   
2.  Mia caught her first tournament in years, without training, and did great and caught 5 games in a row.  Also, Mia had the most RBI's for the weekend.  Great job Mia.     
3. Thumper had a big bat all weekend including the 1st hard hit that broke the pitcher's momentum in the championship game.  She also played very,very well at 2nd base.  Keep it up kid!  Your good attitude is contagious. 
4.  Stacy did a great job at shortstop and as the leadoff batter put a bunch on pressure on the defenses.  Man, she gets to 1st base fast.  That fake slap, fake bunt, then slap was one of the best at bats I have ever seen. 
5.  The outfield was unbelievable.  Lill, Stephanie and Gabi in the outfield was probably the best outfield I have seen in all my years of fastpitch softball.  Nothing drops in with those players and nothing goes over their heads, unless it is over the fence.  What a trio, and Lill hit her 1st homerun with the PANIC!.   Stephanie is now a triple threat as a hitter, bunter or slapper.  Watch out opposing defenses.
6. Maria hit well, including a big triple, and played a perfect third base.  She is going to be a great third baseman, and made play after play during the tournament.  She looks like she has been  playing that position all her life, instead of just for one month. 
7.  Scooter is so solid at 1st base now that we forget to tell her how much we appreciate her and how well she is doing.  She is doing great as a great defensive 1st baseman and continues to be one of our most consistent all-around players.   Scooter's growth in softball this year is a blessing to watch.  With her bad shoulder, she made the throw from 1st to Home plate that sealed our victory in the championship game.   Great play kid.  Imagine what she is going to do once her arm gets right.
8.  Yare hurt her wrist really bad during the 2nd game of the tournament and was in so much pain that she could not play most of the day, but in the championship game we asked her if she could pitch hit, and she said yes.   With two strikes she hit a double off the best pitcher we faced all weekend and drove in the go-ahead run, and she did it basically swinging with one arm.  It was one of those things that I could not have written any better in a softball novel.  Great job Yare.   
9.  Gabi played her 1st tournament with us during this tournament and to be honest, we needed every bit of the great play that she provided all weekend.  She has never played 6 games in one day, was very tired, but she did not quit and made some of the best plays I have ever seen in the outfield.   She fit in from the 1st second she arrived and showed us the true PANIC! spirit. WELCOME to the Team Gabi.   You are a great addition and we look forward to helping you reach your goals in life. 
10. Leilani was out of town during the tournament and we missed her.  To show you what a team player she is, she went out and recruited Gabi to help us out while she was gone.   Leilani's team spirit is what the PANIC! are all about.  She works hard, never has a bad thing to say and respects everyone around her.  Thanks Leilani.
 
By far, this is the most fun group of young ladies that I have ever coached.  You guys have put the love of the game back into my soul and for that I thank you.  It is no longer just something that I do to give back to the community; it is something that I really enjoy doing again.  Our next two tournaments are showcases and we will be playing some really tough teams in Las Vegas and Phoenix.Our next two tournaments are showcases and we will be playing some really tough teams and will be giving everyone a chance to play where college coaches can see them.   Remember, these tournaments are not about winning gold, they are about exposure.  Be motivated, play hard, respect all adults, teammates and opponents and you will impress the coaches that are there to watch you.  Thank You. 

News as of September 5th 2009
  The fall season is starting off pretty exciting.  I think we have some excellent talent joining the team and after a month or so, we will be clicking on all cylinders.  It looks like the most talent-packed group we have ever started with.   I hope we can get them to the next level.   I like the respect of the game  and teammates that I am seeing so I think things are going to go well.

Go Alexus, Gabi and Dana as they begin college softball for their 1st time this fall

News as of August 19th 2009
Well, the Summer 2009 season is over and a great summer it was.  We came together with 7 new players and competed very well and we accomplished our mission of getting senior players to the college level and getting exposure for your younger players for the future. A special welcome to Maria Alvarez, as she joined our team in August and is an excellent middle infielder.   I look forward to working with Maria to help her reach her goals. 

We have been taking a break since the 9th of August and it is well deserved.  We will pick things up again at the end of the month.  Our fall goals are conditioning, skills development, a couple of TCS showcases, A Batbusters Showcase, and four tournaments.  We don't want to burn players out in the fall with school academics, school sports and other fall activities looming, so only two tournaments are planned for out of state (CA and Las Vegas).  We will either fly to Vegas or CA so the driving is not so tough on us this fall.  Of course we all love softball and we will be doing plenty of that too.  Thank you to everyone of our players.  I am so proud of you and for what you represent for the future. 

Good luck to Dana Charley, Alexus Rosas and Gabi Cardenas  as they begin college ball.  I hope our summer intense conditioning is making it easier on you.  Also, congratulations to Bernie as she tried out for and made the Midland College softball Team in Midland, Texas. Bernie, do good!  

News as of June 2nd 2009
Congratulations to all, the AZ PANIC! roster is set for the summer.  We have 14 players at this time and a couple of pickup players as needed.   Now it is up to you to go out and "bring home the bacon."  Remember, the game does not know who is favored to win, or who is expected to lose.  So "bring it" to every game and play every game with the desire to collectively succeed. 
Thank you for the hard work during the PHX College weekend.  It will pay off.   We have some good talent, we just need to mold it and play together.  All PANIC! pitchers are invited to the June 8th and 9th PHX College camp in Phoenix  with no cost to the team because the pitching coach could not come down to Sierra Vista.  The team gets a 50% discount for everyone else.   I will be there.  If you need  a ride let me know.    Coach Ashlee :) will be back with us on the 21st of June.  

News as of April 24th 2009
Hello from PANIC! land.  All is well.  We are preparing for our three seniors to graduate, Alexus, Nykita and Dana.   They had a great visit to Gateway College last Friday and all went well at the tryout.  Wish them luck.   Our first practice is on Saturday, May 9th.  Also on May 9th we will meet to address letters to mail out as part of our fundraiser.   I will let you know where and when.   Graduation Night for Alexus and Nykita is May 21th and for Dana is May 28th.  Congrats young ladies.   Our next car wash is May 23rd, the Saturday before Memorial Day.  We should make a lot of money that day.  

News as of April 14th 2009
We had a great  team meeting on April 4th after the carwash.  We spent a lot of time going over the tedious process of helping yourself play in college.  I think we all learned something and hopefully we are applying it.  We have 3 players that have tryouts in the Phoenix Area this week.  Good luck to them all.   We continue to build our team for the summer.  I like what I see.  We need 1 or 2 more serious players and we will be set.  We definitely need a 2nd pitcher, so pass the word.    Don't forget about the Phoenix College camp on May 30th in Sierra Vista.  Pass the word.  It will be a fun and worthwhile day.   Here is the flyer for the Phoenix College Camp. 

News as of March 29th 2009
Summer 2009 AZ Panic Player/Parents/Coaches Meeting April 4th After Carwash at 4 PM at Coach Jeff and Angie's House  in Sierra Vista.  Directions will be emailed to families.  Thanks for your support. 
We want to pass on great jobs to both Shondra and Scooter for their good play when SalPointe and Buena HS played each other last week.  Scooter did a great job for SalPointe at catcher, and she was a big part of SalPointe holding Buena scoreless for 6 Innings.   Also, Shondra came up with the key hit in the game for Buena's victory.  Shondra, I don't care what the newspaper says about the game or anyone else.  Your hit was the difference; way to go girl. 
Also AZ PANIC! T-shirts are here and available for purchase.   15 dollars for parents and friends of the PANIC! and 10 dollars for players.  The funds collected will be used to help sponsor players through our busy summer.   
The Gateway College Softball Coach, Coach Jamie Long, will be conducting a workout for our seniors in the near future.   Coach long is looking for players that have the work ethic to succeed, have good attitudes and that are ready to help turn her program around.  Of course she needs talent too, but we have plenty of that for her.  

News as of February 20th 2009
Well, it is that time again.  Time to start working hard to raise money for the summer so that we can continue to push the envelope like no other team with opportunities for our Panic family.   We have our first carwash tomorrow, February 21st at Sonic Carwash.   All earnings go towards the players that participate. 
Quite a bit of our family is playing school ball now; your sisters and cousins :).  Good luck to each of you at Buena, SalPointe, Mountain View, Benson, Tombstone, and Window Rock.  I will do my best to come out and support each of you as much as I can.  I love watching you play.   Click on links below for season schedule for all our teams                                                                           
SalPointe / Buena   /   Mountain View / Benson / Window rock /  Tombstone                                          
News as of January 19th 2009

We are ready for a 2009 season.  We have a great bunch of players that want to play softball and want to be the best that they can be. When we combine some new players with the dedicated players that we have returning, we will have a group that understands hard work and its benefits.   We conducted a clinic this weekend with Coach Heinz Mueller, of the 7 out of 8 years, Junior College National Champs, Phoenix College.  It was  a great camp and he is a great teacher.   WE ALL learned quite a bit.   Even better news, we had two players get verbal commitments from Coach Mueller to play for his great team.   Congratulations to Shondra Cordova (SS/Catcher) and Dana Hughes (Our favorite Pickup Player of all time who does not know that she is Green, Black and White at heart :), not yet, anyway. :) Pitcher/infield) for the opportunity that Coach Mueller has offered them.   It is great to see such hard workers get the opportunities they deserve.  

High School softball starts in early February.  During high school ball we  will be doing a bunch of fundraising to get ready for a great summer.   Good luck to all the girls as they begin their school ball journey.  

Commitment continues to be important.   Anyone that puts on a Panic uniform this summer has to be committed.  We are expanding our team to include players from throughout Arizona.  Our goal is 12 players that have the time and energy to be there for each other and that appreciate the cost, time and effort that it takes to make the "Panic" happen.   We understand that softball is not "total life :) " for everyone, and sometimes  other dreams and priorities move ahead of softball.  That is OK.  The team will continue to try to give players opportunities to excel in our sport and we wish everyone good luck with whatever they decide to do.  We love you all, and we want all players to look back at their years with us as worthwhile  and fun.  At the same time we all will continue to aggressively pursue educational opportunities; both academic and athletic.  On that note, we will really miss Mary Chon as she is leaving the Panic.  Her smile and her good spirits are what I will always remember.  

Our highlight for September had to be the weekend with Callista Balko.  What a great young lady and what a great teacher.  Thank you for being so supportive of her as she worked with older players for the first time.  I think we were all better because of her visit and I look forward to her coming back.

News as of 8 August 2008
Another exciting summer is coming to a close as we put Colorado and Hawaii behind us for another year.   I am proud of the development that I have seen in many of our players and I hope we continue to get better in the upcoming season.  We are beginning to lose players to college and adulthood now and we may have to have tryouts to rebuild for the fall and summer.   We must have 12 players that show up and are willing to work hard.  A decision about tryouts will be made after our trip to the San Diego College Showcase from 15-17 August.    The good needs is that we have two excellent new ballplayers working with us now, B. O'Neill and K. Martinez.  Make sure you welcome them and get to know them.  They are great young ladies that love softball and that is exactly what we need.   
Coach Jeff  

News as of 21 July 2008
Our prayers go to Cassie Butler as she prepares for surgery tomorrow.  Cassie, we believe in you; Come Back Strong.  

Don't forget Kayla is moving on to Kentucky.  We must do something as a team before she leaves us.  She has put all her strength and emotions into being one of our teammates for the past 2 complete seasons and I have seen her grow up into a young lady while getting better and better on the field.  Kayla, just keep believing in yourself and what you do and keep looking for your edge.

Thank you to Bonnie and Hilda as they returned home this weekend.   We appreciate them taking a month out of their summers to become Panics!.  Hopefully they have some lifelong memories.   We certainly were lucky to have two finely tuned athletics as they were.  What stood out the most to me, besides their talents, was the way in which they handled constructive advice and the way in which they always did what the coaches asked, with a smile and an OK.  Thank you both for that. 

We completed our fun but grueling road trip to Denver and Honolulu.  Overall I would have to rate the trip a huge success in terms of getting players into college, and that is all I care about.  Brandy committed to Dakota Wesleyan University, Bonnie is making a decision between, Boise State, Minnesota State and BYU Hawaii, Bernie has received an offer to Ashlee's school, UMES, based on Ashlee's recommendation along with our coaches(it's great to see that we can produce players of the sort where the coach wants more from our team),  and Nykita will receive an offer soon  for 2009 also based on her play during  the Sparkler.  I was also contacted by Florida Community College in Jacksonville, Florida about Bernie (a good sports school and great weather).  Also, several coaches let me know that they are following Lillian and are very interested in getting her into their schools.   I doubt if any team came off the road with more recruiting success that we did.  Always keep that in mind as you develop.  It is not about winning, it is about being part of a program that produces softball players with the right attitudes.  The coaches and our team did their part to get the players in front of college coaches and these young ladies not only delivered on the field, but more importantly showed good teamwork, the love of the game and great attitudes.  If you don't think attitude matters, or that the college coaches are always watching,  then you may miss out.  There were several  players that I though played really well, but the complete player package of being coachable did not come out too well according to comments from several college coaches I chatted with.   

  Again, getting recruited is just the beginning.  You have to do a lot of work to get in (not me, you) and you have to work harder to stay in.  Just ask 5 of Ashlee's college teammates that are not returning for academic or softball reasons  if you don't believe me. 
Our next step is to continue to practice with what we have and to begin speed work again as we prepare for the College Showcase in mid-August.   
N
What do we need to do to continue to improve? 
1.  We did a much better job of playing defense this summer as our errors were much lower.  However, our batting was not where it should be.  Get in the batting cage and keep working.  College coaches like hitters. Does batting practice and listening work?  I think so.  Bonnie spent 2 days in the cage with us and she went from not being able to hit in Colorado to batting .700 in Hawaii over 6 games with 30% of our total Hawaii RBI's.   
2.  Also if you noticed the physiques of many of the players we faced this month, that was not by accident.  They have spent a lot of time working out to be better softball players and it shows.  Pitchers must have strong upper bodies and powerful arms and everyone needs strong arms, legs and cores.  Each of you must work out hard if you are serious about playing college ball.  We are too weak and too soft right now!  We need to get strong and toughen up.
 
Let's keep on keeping on! 
 
Coach Jeff

News as of June 27 2008
Bonnie made it into town on Thursday and met her teammates today @ our 6:00AM practice. Hilda will meet us in Denver.  Make sure you welcome them.   They will fit right in with our philosophy; play hard and have fun and everything else will take care of itself. 

Practice Saturday @ 10 AM @ A Field. Pitchers and catchers 9 AM.    Batting practice all day at cage.    We are departing Sunday @ 6AM for Denver.   We expect to arrive Sunday night about 8 PM.   We will be taking a team trip to 6 Flags Over Denver on Wednesday, the 2nd of July.  Make sure you bring money for 6 Flags.  Coke cans will get you in for half price.  

News as of June 20 2008

Practice Sunday 22 June @ 5 PM.  Also team meeting with parents at approx 7 PM to ensure medical waivers are signed for players under 18, and to ensure we are ready to travel and everyone knows what is going on.  I have everyone's schedule for the all-star games in Colorado.  Our first all-star game is 6 PM Monday with Cassie B.  We will be there to cheer her on because we are good teammates. 
If you gave me a list of colleges I am sending emails out this weekend inviting them to your all-star game and to our other games.  
Keep working hard and remember.  Work hard now and socialize later with a goal of playing in College, or socialize excessively now and later because you will have plenty of time in college because you will not be playing softball on a team. 
Batting? Make sure you bat at least 3 days next week because we need it.   
  
News as of June 13 2008

Next week we welcome Bonnie Heineken, Ashlee's BFF from College to the team for the summer.  Bonnie is an excellent pitcher and shortstop and will help us grow immensely.  Bonnie is looking to find a college closer to home.  Where is home you ask?  North Pole, Alaska. 

 Carwashes this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.   I know Sunday is Father's Day but we will work it out.  My daughter will spend Father's Day with me washing cars. :)

Remember,  I need all our tickets turned in on the 17th so that I can send them to the travel agency on time.  Work hard.  Right now we need to make up the 3000.00 difference in order to plan for Hawaii. You players know how much fun Hawaii was last year, so work hard.  

Coach Jeff

News as of June 4th 2008
The 1st day of speed work with Mo turned out great.  Mo is a good man who was a great athlete and understands what it takes to make it (both in terms of physical training and respect for sports and those who play them and coach them).  Make sure you work hard on doing things right.  Form and technique are so important for increasing speed. 

Our next practice is Friday the 6th of June @ 3 PM in the heat.   We play in Tempe this weekend in the TCS State Championship.  Don't let the  term "State Championship" worry you.  June is too early for Championships, we are playing in it just so we get some game time and get some heat training for Colorado. Give 100% and leave it all on the field Sunday.  That is all we care about.  

The Phoenix College Camp  on 9 and 10 June has been canceled for us due to Mo's training program.  I think it will be more useful right now to work on core conditioning and speed.  

News as of May 29th 2008
Practice 7AM Friday Morning @ A Field.  We are leaving Friday afternoon for Payson.  Make sure you have a ride if you need one.  Don't wait until the last second.  We will have batting practice 10 AM Saturday morning in Payson, then head over for lunch and then on to the fields.  It should be a great day.  Let's have some fun. 

Keep selling the Hawaii raffle tickets.  At 10 dollars a ticket with no overhead, this is the great way for you to make money to cover your team costs. 

News as of May 20th 2008
Congratulations to Bernie and Brandy and the "Class of 2008,"  Way to go ladies and best of luck in what every you decide to do. 

Congratulations to Ashlee and Cassie as they successfully completed their 1st Year of College.   Yeah!  Congrats to Ashlee for having a good 1st Freshman season with her college team. 

Congrats to Lillian for making the Tombstone HS Varsity Cheerleading squad for Football Season. 

Our First Tournament is the 31st of May and 1st of June in Payson, AZ.   Let's get ready. 

News as of May 1st  2008 

Sunday's practice is at A Field and the time has changed to 5:30 PM instead of 4:00 PM.  See you at A field.

Batting Cage is Open and players are working hard!

Carwash Saturday 3 May 11:30 to 5:30

Practice Sunday 4:00 PM @ A Field

Golf Tournament and Carwash 10 May 2008

Try hard to get sponsors and golfers for tournament.  You can make quite a bit of money towards your account on the 10th if you work hard to get people out. 

PANIC! 1st practice Sunday 26th of April, 4 PM @ A Field.  Parent's meeting @ 6 PM.  Let's Get Started :)

Two PANIC! players go down with broken bones.  

 Alexus Rosas and Ashlee Baker both recently suffered broken bones.   Alexus broke her leg and is out for up to 12 weeks and Ashlee broke her hand and is out for 1 month.   Hurry Back girls

Ponytail is set to begin for Seniors!  Tryouts and draft are May 10th 2008 

Car washes Continue!
We continue to attempt to raise money to get us through the summer.   Airfares to Hawaii are at an all time high.  We have a lot more work to do in order to avoid extensive costs for families.  Make sure you show up and do your part and if you have any ideas for fundraisers; talk to Angie about it.  

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