College 2024 Preview: Lindenwood University Lions look for continued Growth in 2024

College 2024 Preview: Lindenwood University Lions look for continued Growth in 2024

By Jeff Strange

2023 Overall Record                                     2023 Ohio Valley Conference Record

                        16-32                                                                           8-15

Coming off a 16-32 season – their first at the Division 1 level – the Lindenwood University softball team heads into the 2024 campaign returning two all-conference athletes (Jr. OF Irelynn West and So. IF Dallis Darnell) and according to Head Coach Erin Brown, a better idea of what to expect as they enter their second season in the Ohio Valley Conference. After a very successful run at the Division 2 level – the Lions finished out 2022 with a 35-13 overall record – Lindenwood was able to earn a berth in the OVC tournament last May as a first-year D1 program, with several highlights along the way.

Coach Brown enters her third season leading the Lions program, and her 18th season overall as a head coach in the collegiate ranks. Getting her start in 2004 running NCAA DIII Westminster College, Brown spent 2 years at the helm in Fulton, MO before heading to her alma mater at Truman State University, where she had previously carved out a successful playing career. Brown was the head coach at Truman State for 13 seasons, rejuvenating the program en route to a career 348-302 record along the way. Brown took over at Lindenwood University in 2021-2022 and has enjoyed six NCAA tournament appearances through her years leading three programs.

Top Gun Events Media caught up with Coach Brown to get her feedback on several key elements for the Lindenwood Lions Softball Program:

The Lindenwood softball program made the leap last season into the NCAA Division 1 ranks, joining the Ohio Valley Conference. Going from a very successful season in 2022 as a Division 2 program in the GLVC to a new conference at the Division 1 level, can you discuss some of the adjustments that your program had to make and endure?

“We’re still making the adjustments and I think will be for a few years. We decided to keep our team as it was, meaning we did not replace them with “DI” players. That first year we tried to get a few transfers that might make a difference right away but were limited to our 7.2 scholarships for NCAA DII programs. For the 2024-2025 year we are getting a scholarship bump, so we feel like that will help us recruit more players who are able to help us compete in the OVC. From an athlete’s perspective, I think last year was challenging for that team because they did not always know if they were “good enough.” We had a lot of conversations about focusing on what we had control over and that it was the same game they’ve been playing since they were little. I think it took a while for them to believe they could have success and once they did, then we could see a shift in our overall mindset, which resulted in more success as a team. The season had some ups-and-downs, but we have a better idea of what to expect for this upcoming season. Getting players to understand it can be hard and to expect that and embrace the challenge is something we talk about often. The pitching is more complete at this level; most pitchers have a changeup and 2-3 great pitches with command. We faced some great pitching at the DII level but they might not have/or need to throw a changeup to be dominate. Defensively most teams seem to have great overhand velo and it seems like everyone has above average speed as well. It’s just adjusting to who is playing the game, like at any level bump that players experience in their career.”

Lindenwood University Head Coach Erin Brown walks off as the Lady Lions celebrate a big win

Can you give some background information on your coaching staff?

“My assistant Ali Brems is from Wisconsin and played at Lewis University; I coached against her while at Truman. She had a successful career at Lewis and went on to become a Graduate Assistant there before coming to Kirksville, MO to be my assistant for my last two years at Truman. She has her master’s in both leadership and counseling. Ali is the magic behind all our social media posts and organizes our recruiting. Ali was a lefty hitter and right-handed pitcher. She had two different surgeries from pitching, including thoracic outlet. She is passionate about injury prevention as a result and has worked closely with OGX (formerly S2 Breakthrough in Chicago) to learn more about biomechanics and coaching strategies that honor each player’s individual body. Ali works with our pitching staff.

Christa Reisinger played for me at Truman State. She was a lefty slapper/power hitter -I know, doesn’t happen too often – and played OF. She was an All-American and could have played at the DI level. We got lucky that she came to Truman. It helped that she grew up on a farm and majored in agriculture. Christa works with our outfield and hitters.

I work with the infielders, catchers, and hitters.

Can you hit on some key points/highlights from this past season?

“I think a big highlight for us was sweeping Eastern Illinois, who went on to win the Ohio Valley Conference tournament and represent the OVC in the NCAA tournament. We made the conference tournament our first year in the league, beating out other teams who have been at the DI level for years. We had a couple of players earn all-conference. When we made the jump, we entered 4 years of being unable to compete in the NCAA tournament. We can compete and win the OVC tournament but could not move forward with a bid. Making the NCAA tournament is a great experience so when we did not have that opportunity, I wanted to provide them with some other experience moments and traveling to play Oregon was a great opportunity. Playing at their facility, hitting & lifting there was incredible and then making sure we got to the Pacific coast was on our list. It was a busy few days, but the girls really enjoyed that experience.”

The Lindenwood Lions taking time to celebrate National Student-Athlete Day while at Jane Sanders Stadium in the University of Oregon

Playing in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament for the first time in 2023, can you describe some of your thoughts on the event?

“The OVC tournament had a similar feel to the NCAA tournaments I’ve been to in the past. Choccolocco Park is a great facility. The OVC tournament is moving to Peoria for the 2024 season. We will play our games at the Louisville Slugger complex on Bradley University’s field. We’re looking forward to a shorter drive because the location was the toughest part of the event in 2023. You get a practice day before the tournament starts so we had to travel down the day before our practice day to get there in time – which meant that we had to leave on a Monday after playing our last regular scheduled game on Sunday. I’m looking forward to this new venue for 2024 and to see how it might change the feel of the OVC tournament.”

Can you give some analysis/perspective on your team for 2024?

“Staying healthy will be key, especially for our pitchers. We have one pitcher who is injured and out for the season, so we have brought a current outfielder and former pitcher back to the circle to potentially add some depth for our staff. We’re graduating a lot in the 2024 class. We have eight seniors (2 who are 5th years), 6 juniors, 5 sophomores & 5 freshmen. We have four pitchers, three catchers and nine infielders, five outfielders and three true utility players who have several options defensively. We have a couple of players who are injured and won’t be playing this spring. In total, we have a roster of 24, but 22 who will be able to play. We have more depth this year than we did last year. Last spring, we had some injuries and ended up shifting people around to make it work – it was a challenge. Having the depth this year is great and we will likely keep a roster over 20 moving forward for that reason.”

Your facility is undergoing upgrades; can you elaborate on those?

“Our facility was one of the nicer ones in the OVC and we just got new turf and new batting cages. New netting/padding in front of our dugouts is scheduled to go in before our home opener this spring. In addition to that, we have had to make some facility adjustments for ESPN+ streaming and video replay for umpire review. We will have the capability for umpire review this year, but the ESPN+ streaming will be live for the 2025 season. From the facility standpoint, I believe now we are one of, if not the best facility in the OVC.”

What are your short-term goals for the program?

“Short term goals are to continue to win more games and continue to finish higher in the OVC standings each year…start winning some recruits that our competitors are also recruiting. We’ve seen that a little in the 2025 recruiting class. Ultimately we also want to provide our players with a great experience while they are at Lindenwood.”

Infielders Tori Hatton (left) and Dallis Darnell (right) are two key components returning for the 2024 season

What are your long-term goals for the program?

“We want to be able to compete for the OVC championship when we are eligible to earn a bid, by 2027. We want to be one of the top programs for our size in the Midwest by 2027. We want to continue to provide our players with a top-notch experience…potentially taking a trip to Europe along with scheduling opponents that give our players the opportunity to play at incredible facilities and unique locations.”

Lastly, do you have any information to share for prospective athletes in regards to camp information for 2024?

“We will be having camps in May, June, August, and November/December. Specific dates have not yet been confirmed, but those should be out within the next several weeks.”

*The Lindenwood Lions will open their season on February 9th at the UIW Kickoff Classic in San Antonio, TX squaring off against Prairie View A&M University and University of the Incarnate Word that Friday afternoon.*

2024 Travel Team Preview: St. Louis Chaos ’09 National Perone-Beatty sets foundation with strong 2023 Fall Season, has eyes set for successful 2024

2024 Travel Team Preview: St. Louis Chaos ’09 National Perone-Beatty sets foundation with strong 2023 Fall Season, has eyes set for successful 2024

By Jeff Strange

Coming off a successful fall 2023 campaign, the St. Louis Chaos ’09 National Perone-Beatty squad has established themselves as a top contender on the national scene heading into 2024. The Chaos’ fall successes were highlighted with two impressive first-place finishes, including a 7-1 showing in Oklahoma City at the Top Club National Invite where they battled a tough Vision Gold ’09 team in the championship game, avenging their only loss of the event.

Head Coach Phil Perone’s squad promptly followed up that outing with a 5-0 run in the HFL/Alliance Fall Championship, bringing home another first-place finish and capping off an impressive 12-1 run over their final 13 games.

Top Gun Events Media caught up with Coach Perone to get his feedback on several key elements for his team’s 2024 season and beyond:

Can you give some background information on your coaching staff and coaching styles?

“With four coaches total – Evan Beatty, Adam Oberle, Dave Purves and myself, we are an experienced coaching staff with a combined 50+ years of travel softball, so we have a wealth of knowledge of what works and will not work at the next level. Our style emphasizes paying attention to details and not focusing on winning. If we focus on doing the little things and paying attention to detail on and off the field, winning will take care of itself. In practice, we move at a fast pace while working on the details of each movement and always applying controlled pressure, so the kids are prepared to play fast and confident when they hit the field.”

Can you hit on some key points/highlights from this past season?

“We have had the core for several years now and this past summer was a defining one for us as a group. At one point over the summer, we were left with our eight core players and that is when they ramped up their focus and started to play for each other. They regrouped and began to focus on the importance of TEAM. We won several older aged tournaments, qualifiers, and placed high in a few others, but with our lack of depth, we began to struggle going into the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series. As a group, we knew that we had to thicken the roster and as the head coach, I knew we were too talented to take this next step without Evan Beatty in our dugout. We have a committed coaching staff and adding Evan’s 25+ years of coaching, knowledge for recruitment, and relationships is a huge advantage for our group as they continue the process of reaching their goals over the next 2-3 years.”

“We received stand out performances from:

  • Emily Perone was a key offensive contributor throughout the season.
  • Lexi Lohnes has established herself as one of the top two-way talents in the Midwest.
  • Kenzie Wieland is a workhorse in the circle and provides big power at the plate.
  • Ava Oberle was our most consistent player offensively, defensively, and in the circle. The kid is a softball player…just wants to be on the field and will do anything for the team.
  • Peyton Purves also had a great offensive year, but her defense behind the plate is next level; she is one of the best I have coached at that position in my 13 years.
  • Jay Haffer solidifies our defense with her great range at Shortstop and in the Outfield. She also offers power and speed on offense as well.
  • Katie Oelze has speed and power and was a key contributor in the middle of our lineup. She has come up huge in pressure situations at the plate.
  • Carlie Isbell was a new addition for 2023 and is solid behind the plate and at several infield positions. She helps our defense rotations and is one of our vocal leaders.”

Drawing athletes from multiple states, how do you manage any challenges with schedules?

“We will face challenges this upcoming spring with players from 4 different states, so we will navigate it as we go and play local tournaments utilizing players in our organization. Our travel season will begin with our full squad at our organization’s tournament – Hustle City (AFCS qualifier) at the end of May.”

What are your primary goals and objectives for your team?

“This year, our goals are different than what they have been in the past from when I took over this team 5 years ago. I have always had our girls learn multiple positions and sometimes sacrificed wins over learning and growth. In the past, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for us to have three shortstops in a bracket game. 13u and below we feel is all development while competing, and when you do that the winning will eventually take care of itself. We are getting to that point now where the girls are more position oriented with two main spots on the field and it showed in our play this past fall by winning two Alliance Tournaments and securing our AFCS bid to California.”

In your opinion, what traits make your organization unique?

“Being one of the oldest organizations in the region, we have been competitive on the national stage from the start in the early 90’s. During that time, we have remained small and family oriented, focused solely on development of our players on what works at the next level. We have monthly organization workouts at our own facility, which also allows players 24/7-365 access to work out individually. It is a huge luxury to have that asset and as we add players, coaches, and teams, they will immediately be able to take advantage of all the hard work that has been put into our future success.”

Can you give some analysis/perspective on your team for 2024?

“Our team picked up 4 players for the fall to add to our core and we will continue to look for like-minded athletes that want to compete within our group setting and at the highest level nationally. Makenna Johnson is a top 2028 athlete that has rejoined our group and is a huge addition to our lineup as she rotates in at shortstop with Jay Haffer and the outfield. Brylie Mills, Deja Jackson, and Brooke Bucy are all strong athletes that solidify our group with a team first mentality, and it will be fun to watch these players as we move forward. With the addition of these players, we added speed, high average, power, and defense. They bring depth to our group that we lacked as we continue the journey. Our goal this year is to continue to build a champion mindset and that will be reinforced with the addition of Evan to our coaching staff.  We want to continue to compete against the best in the country and win; that is our focus and our thoughts as we head into winter workouts. Our Pitching group really turned the corner this fall as they began to focus on their three main pitches that worked in pregame. We limited our free passes our last two tournaments and made it difficult to score with our strong defensive play. We have a solid rotation at the catching position with three players really working well together, keeping each other fresh. We feel the group at any time can eliminate a runner for us, so having them behind the plate as a weapon is a huge advantage moving forward. All of our players have two defensive positions, so our rotations defensively are coming together. We have a great foundation built from the past 5 years and they can now see their dreams are in reach, so the real work begins for our group.”

What are your short-term goals for your team?

“We are putting our kids through a professional evaluation to identify biomechanical deficiencies that may affect performance and precursors for future injury by developing an individual physical therapy and strengthening program for each player after their individual evaluation. The girls will then be professionally evaluated every few months to see their progression, so it is exciting for our organization to be partnered with a company that works with MLB teams and D1 college programs.”

What are your long-term goals for your team?

“I think our long-term goals are whatever the players’ goals are, or continue to be. They drive the bus, and we will be there to guide them along the way. This is their journey; of course we want to compete at the highest level, but we only can do that if they are determined on their individual goals. I told them 5 years ago, we will not fail them and to trust the process in the good and the bad. That thought hasn’t changed and is still discussed within the group. If they continue to trust the proven process developed over years of success, our group will realize their dreams and be able to perform and compete immediately at the next level.”

College 2024 Preview: Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville Looks to Build Upon Successful finish to 2023 Campaign

College 2024 Preview: Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville Looks to Build Upon Successful finish to 2023 Campaign

By Jeff Strange

2023 Overall Record                                     2023 Ohio Valley Conference Record

                        30-26                                                                           12-10

Coming off a 30-26 season, the Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville softball team heads into the 2024 campaign with high hopes of contending for another strong run in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Cougars caught fire in the OVC tournament last spring held at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL by closing out the event with a 4-2 record and bringing home second place overall, falling short to Eastern Illinois University in the OVC Championship game.

Head coach Ben Sorden enters his second season at the helm for the Cougars program, taking over after spending nearly the last decade as an assistant coach in the Big Ten Conference at Michigan State and Indiana, where he helped guide the pitching staffs to national honors and top-notch results.

Top Gun Events Media caught up with Coach Sorden to get his feedback on several key elements for the SIUE Cougars Softball Program:

Last season was your first at the helm with SIUE…how would you describe your experience taking over the program?

“I knew coming in, the focus was going to be on culture; we as a coaching staff had to get them to believe in themselves and trust each other, as well as trust us. Of course, there was initial excitement and skepticism, but eventually we gained their trust, but most importantly, they began to trust themselves.”

After spending the previous several seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan State and U. of Indiana, were there any adjustments on your end moving into the role of a head coach?

“The game is the game, we don’t adjust our standards. Our job is to coach them up to the standard to the best of our ability. Sure, MSU and IU may have more resources, but I also spent a significant amount of time at Coe College, a small DIII school. I have witnessed the haves and the have nots – you learn what is important and what is fluff. We are blessed to have amazing training and playing facilities at SIUE, outstanding athletic performance coaches, a mental performance advisor, excellent student-athlete support services and a beautiful campus that sells itself.”

The SIUE Cougars come together after a come-from-behind victory against St. Louis University in March 8, 2023

You have a strong reputation for churning out successful pitching staffs and developing pitchers…are there any particular approaches that you have developed to help aid in the success of arms on teams that you have been a part of?

“I’m a believer in being a master of few rather than mediocre of many when it comes to pitching. If the game is on the line, do you want to attack the hitter with your best pitch or your fourth best pitch? Everyone has a unique ability and we just try to find what each of us does well and polish that up. Additionally, I empower the pitchers to have control in what they are throwing. They learn to read swings, they learn to read situations, and they know what they want to throw in the moment. We also look to our catchers for valuable information; they make us better. Our catchers are our eyes and know what pitches are moving the best as well as what the umpire is calling. In the end, we just try and help them be the best version of themselves.”

Can you give some background information on your coaching staff?

“I’ve known Coach Courtney Gentile for a number of years. She played at Ohio State and has a very competitive spirit. She was a hitter that pitched (rather than a pitcher that hits) and also played outfield and first base for the Buckeyes. She is even able to throw left-handed batting practice! Courtney works with our hitters and our outfield.

Caitlin Wnek was added to the staff this fall; she was previously an assistant at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. I have known Caitlin since she was in high school and then followed her career when she went on to be a 4-year starting shortstop at UNI, where she holds the career doubles record for the Panthers. She works with our infielders and hitters. She keeps the game fun and likes to come up with competitive challenges for our hitters and fielders. Most recently, Caitlin was named the DIII Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association while at UW-LaCrosse.”

Can you hit on some key points/highlights from this past season?

“As a team, we were 2nd in the league in hitting and led the league in shut outs, stolen bases and strikeouts looking. Before conference, we had a good weekend in Memphis where things started to click for us, then a nice come from behind win against SLU, which taught us we were never out of any game. We then tried to just keep building confidence week by week and building momentum.

I am extremely proud that 11 of the 19 players were named NFCA All American Scholar Athletes. We emphasize excelling on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Being a champion starts with a championship mindset and that is doing everything to the best of our ability in all facets of our life.

Individually, Paige Rocha paced the league hitting .416 overall and .434 in conference. For her efforts, she was named All Region and All Conference. She is back and we are excited for her leadership. Lexi King was 2nd in the league in hitting, led the OVC in stolen bases and was 7th in the country in doubles. She is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached; we will obviously miss her. Syd Baalman was also an All-Conference selection and really got hot in the circle for us last season. She grew from a thrower to a pitcher during the season and peaked at the conference tournament. Grace Lueke is also back for her senior campaign after hitting .315 in conference with 6 homeruns. We look forward to her leadership this year.”

Senior Pitcher Sydney Baalman (top) and Junior Infielder Paige Rocha (bottom) are two key returning pieces to the Cougars roster in 2024

Taking home a second-place finish in the OVC tournament last season, can you describe some of your thoughts on the event?

“We had a great run in Oxford; it was a nice facility and the field crew was great, they did a great job with the venue. It was a competitive tournament and I enjoyed how we competed. It was a great tournament to build momentum for our program.”

Can you give some analysis/perspective on your team for 2024?

“Returners Rylie Pindel, Piper Montgomery, Lauryn Yslava and Jenny Herron have really upped their game and had significant contributions this fall. Kelsey Ray continues to improve and her senior leadership will be key in the circle.

We brought in 11 new faces this year – 5 transfers and 6 freshmen. Sisters Anna and Emma Henderson transferred in from the University of Iowa and will add power at the plate and experience in the circle and behind the dish. A pair of DMACC Bears, NJCAA All American third baseman Madison Kearns and NJCAA All Region shortstop Kaylynn Salyars each found their way to Edwardsville. NJCAA All American Outfielder Danielle Shuey, who led the nation in triples and hails from Danville Area Community College, rounds out the list of transfers.

Newcomers Maleah Blomenkamp, Amber Morgan, Abby Harvell, Jenna Little, Harley Limberger and Reese Ray add depth, additional speed and power to supplement an already talented team. We are excited about this group as they love to compete and have fun doing so.  They should be a fun team to watch.”

What are your short-term goals for the program?

“In the short-term, we want to build off of the momentum from last season. Earning a trip to and competing in a regional is at the forefront of our minds, but we need to focus on what we can control to help get us there.”

What are your long-term goals for the program?

“Long-term, we want to build a more competitive program that is recognized as a tough, gritty mid-major team who excels on the field and in the classroom.”

Lastly, do you have any information to share for prospective athletes in regards to camp information for 2024?

“All camps can be found at:

https://link.edgepilot.com/s/84cb7db8/MsSmqs6zm022N7RybXHl8A?u=https://www.sordensoftballcamps.com/

We will add an elite camp this summer as well as 2 fall prospect camps and continue our winter academies for local players.”

*The SIUE Cougars will open their season on February 9th at the Frank Griffin Classic in Deland, FL squaring off against Boston University and Stetson University that Friday afternoon.*

Athletic Training Aids Athletes in Pursuits

Athletic Training Aids Athletes in Pursuits

By Jeff Strange

In today’s ever-evolving field of youth, collegiate and professional sports, the modern athlete recognizes the benefits to seek an edge over their competition. With numerous advancements in the education and technology of sports and athletic training, today’s athlete has taken the opportunities available to enhance their overall performance output in an effort to maximize their athletic abilities.

It’s not uncommon to wake up in the morning, tune into a social media outlet of choice and see videos of athletes training in a manner that was perhaps unheard of 30 years ago. Athletes today are more connected than ever before because of smartphones, fitness tracker watches and other devices. This has opened up new training programs for athletes of all ages. With high-tech tools, trainers can now accurately track and measure their athletes’ performance during practice sessions. Technology is revolutionizing sports training, with a high likelihood that it can become even more advanced in the future.

Also evolving is the science of education in sports and athletic training. Former University of Missouri softball player Natalie Fleming graduated with a degree in Exercise Physiology in 2017 from Mizzou. She then took her field of study and love of the game to McKendree University in Lebanon, IL to contribute to their softball program as a graduate assistant coaching softball along with contributing as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. While finishing her masters at McKendree, Fleming pursued and obtained her CSCS certification (certified strength and conditioning specialists) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She now works as a trainer at Winchester Spine and Sport in Troy, MO.

According to Fleming, more and more youth athletes are starting to pursue athletic training.

“I think there are more kids starting strength and conditioning at a younger age now compared to even a couple years ago,” said Fleming. “They are learning coordination and understanding how to use their bodies. I also think that there are more travel teams getting into strength and conditioning as a whole now, compared to the past. Previously kids would go out and lift here and there on their own and now whole teams are coming in as an organization.”

Fleming has incorporated her knowledge into tailoring fitness plans for athletes, depending on their experience level and availability.

“Every training program can be different depending on how many days a week I see the athletes and what their goals are,” said Fleming. “Typically, we will start with some kind of speed/explosiveness and then get into the main lift such as a squat or a deadlift. We’ll then mix in some accessory lower lifts, followed by upper body. I’ll have the kids max out when they are in their off-season so that we can get working numbers to train off of and build a program around that.”

Her approach to helping athletes looking for basic overall gains or sport specific training varies, depending on the athlete.

“I think it depends on the age of the athlete as to whether they train for overall gains or more sports specific movements,” said Fleming. “The younger kids are still learning their bodies, so we try to stick with more fundamental and functional movements. With the older kids, we get into more sport specific movements while mixing in the main lifts. Sports feature a ton of power, so no matter what sport we are training for we can always become more explosive.”

In the world of softball, competition generally chills out during the cold-weather months, allowing the athletes’ time to regroup mentally and seek gains physically. Fleming believes that the off-season is a great time for athletes to utilize the tools, resources and education available to enhance their physical output.

“The off-season is when athletes can really push their bodies and make changes,” said Fleming. “This is the time to challenge yourself, set goals and achieve them. Working for some hypertrophy, get bigger, stronger and more explosive. The other major benefit for training during the off-season is injury prevention. When we are in season, our bodies get worn down and we get tired. However, if we prepare well during the off-season, we lessen the chance of injury or fatigue.”

She also believes that there are benefits to training in-season for athletes as well.

“During the season, you might cut back the amount of days you train and try to maintain the strength you gained during the off-season,” said Fleming. “Working in lower reps with similarly heavy weights. Ultimately, we want to keep the body feeling good. I wouldn’t recommend throwing anything new at the athletes during this time that could stress their nervous system. You want the athletes feeling strong, not being sore going into their games.”

With the advancements of education and technology in sports and athletic training, athletes are taking their physical abilities to new heights. Fleming believes that sharing her knowledge can help young athletes with their respective pursuits.

“I always say I chose this profession because I want to teach kids that how you train off the field directly affects how you perform on the field.”

KC Royals Youth All Sport Expo offers Valuable Educational Resources for Community

KC Royals Youth All Sport Expo offers Valuable Educational Resources for Community

By Jeff Strange

The global youth sports market has turned into a highly profitable segment. Recently released analysis by Markets N Research, a research company that helps educate their members and consumers through tactical and strategic research methods, has observed that that the global youth sports market stood at $37.5 billion in 2022, with forecasted growth expected to reach approximately $69.4 billion in 2030.

While proving to be a very prosperous business overall, participating in sports as a child can help promote positive physical health, social skills, learning teamwork and aid in emotional well-being/mental health, amongst other benefits.

However, in a day and age where tools such as social media and specialized training is largely at an athlete’s disposal, there can be cons to focusing on developing dominating, sport-specific skills. Burnout, overuse and mental health are some primary examples of potential risks involved with becoming hyper-focused on athletics.

The Kansas City Royals recently hosted a Youth All Sport Expo at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Launched by the Royals Amateur Development System (RADS), the event was geared for coaches of all sports to learn about mental and physical health of athletes.

Casey Borovac, Manager of Sport Development for the Royals recognized a need to help promote the mental well-being of young athletes and opened up the door to many resources for coaches of all levels to learn positive and effective methods to carry over into their culture.

“Being an athlete today undoubtedly has many opportunities,” said Borovac. “But with those opportunities can be stresses and pressures that get amplified with things such as social media. There’s an expectation sometimes put out by coaches, parents or the athletes themselves to compare each other through avenues such as social media. While there are certainly some benefits available, there can also be an immense amount of pressure to perform that weighs heavily on athletes today.”

Dr. Joni Pro – APRN, FNP-C speaks to a crowd of coaches at the recent Youth All Sport Expo on December 2, 2023

With that in mind, the Royals Amateur Development System constructed this opportunity as a way to educate coaches on methods to help with mental health, along with managing and preventing burnout, the effects of social media, injury prevention and teaching life lessons.

The RADS program was created in 2021 with an emphasis to improve and enhance participation in local Kansas City youth baseball and softball leagues. This year’s expo was the first one offered by the RADS program, with Borovac envisioning it to be an annual event.

Featuring multiple speakers and presenters offering their input, topics discussed at the expo included:

  • Kinetic Chain Dysfunction of the Shoulder and Elbow by Dr. Vincent Key-MD (Medical Director and Head Team Physician for the Kansas City Royals)
  • Performance-Based Healthcare for Athletes by Dr. Joni Pro – APRN, FNP-C
  • Pressures that Youth Athletes Face and Signs of Mental Health Challenges by Dr. Becky Gernon – M.D., M.P.H.
  • Managing and Preventing High Level Stress and Burnout by Chris Cannon – LPC/MHSP, CCMHC, ACS
  • Effects of Social Media by Emily Hawkins – LPC/MHSP
  • Strategies to Build Confidence in Young Athletes by Melissa Lambert – Director of Behavioral Science, KC Royals
  • Recognizing the At-Risk Signs by Chris Cannon – LPC/MHSP, CCMHC, ACS
  • Perfectionism within the Athlete by Emily Hawkins – LPC/MHSP
  • Double Goal Coach/Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons by Coach Brian Swan
  • Project Play/Don’t Retire a Kid by Dylan Wilson
  • Not Good Enough by Jeff Diskin
    Melissa Lambert – KC Royals Director of Behavioral Science discusses topics with coaches at the recent Youth All Sport Expo on December 2, 2023

While recognizing the expo as a positive opportunity for the coaching community overall, Borovac envisions this event to be a constructive and informative resource for coaches, parents and athletes to utilize in an evolving atmosphere.

“We had about 150 coaches total that came out,” said Borovac. “Coaches of all age levels, ranging from the local scene to out-of-state were in attendance this year. The hope is to hold this event at least once a year as a positive resource to the community.”

Recruiting 2025 – Smooth Defense and Dynamite Bat Propel Watson as Catcher on the Radar

Recruiting 2025 - Smooth Defense and Dynamite Bat Propel Watson as Catcher on the Radar

By Jeff Strange

Game awareness. Softball IQ. Physical talent. Calm and collected. All are key attributes that coaches love to see from their athletes. For a catcher, it’s more than just that; being a field general that knows how to lead, gains the trust and respect of her teammates and understands the nuances of each situation is invaluable.

For Marquette (Chesterfield, MO) High School Junior Aubrey Watson, those descriptions embody her player profile.

Described by her high school coach John Meyer as similar to having another coach on the field, the 5’8” Watson has grown substantially as a standout behind the plate, in the box and on the field over the past few years. Having twice been elected Team Captain, along with helping lead the Marquette Mustangs to the 2022 5A Missouri Final Four, Watson has put together an impressive resume in her high school career. In her first three Varsity seasons, she has been awarded:

  • 1st Team All District(x2)
  • 1st Team All Conference
  • 2nd Team All Conference
  • 1st Team All Region
  • Academic All State(x3)
  • Suburban Conference Sportsmanship Award recipient
  • Marquette Team MVP.

Several years ago, Watson ventured into select softball, trying out for Coach Matt Pruett’s St. Louis Chaos team.

“I was originally a pitcher and third baseman,” said Watson. “Coach Pruett encouraged me to give catching a try and I fell in love with it. I also picked up playing first base as well.”

Through hard work and a sound mental approach, Watson’s game began to flourish as she often played against girls older than her. Her cucumber-cool mental approach to the game in the field and at the plate has helped the powerfully framed C/1B grow into a valuable presence for her teammates and coaching staffs alike.

At the plate, Watson has admitted to sometimes “singing a song in her head” to help herself stay calm and in the moment. Along with a power-packed swing that produces line drives peppered to all parts of the field, the 2025 right-handed hitter has grown into a feared run producer with a knack for delivering in the clutch.

Case in point – fall 2022. In a dogfight district semifinal game against a strong Lafayette High School team, Watson walked off the game with a bottom of the ninth sacrifice fly to send the Mustangs to the district championship (they ended up winning districts and pulled in a fourth-place finish at state).

“That’s my favorite softball memory of all time,” admitted Watson.

Behind the plate, Watson has been described as a brick wall with a deadly accurate arm that has erased countless baserunners. Her 2023 select numbers include:

  • .133 stolen bases per inning
  • .033 passed balls for inning

Now donning a new uniform playing with the Top Gun STL GOLD 18U team, Watson is eager to display her skills against top competition. With a recent final four finish at the HFL Fall Championship in November, Watson and her teammates earned a berth to the AFL Nationals Championship next summer in Indiana.

“I love to compete,” said Watson. “I’ve played for some great coaches in club softball and high school softball. I’ve had a lot of great teammates that I’ve been fortunate enough to share the field with. Softball has been a great outlet for me and I’m looking forward to what the future may hold.”

As she approaches the spring, Watson has put an emphasis on the future, with college softball being a driving force to go along with her academic aspirations. A strong student carrying a 3.9 GPA, Watson has made it clear that she ultimately loves to be on the field and plans to continue playing softball while planning to study marketing and communications. As a stout defensive catcher that brings a big bat to the lineup, along with a team-first mentality and a willingness to do whatever she can to help her squad, Watson’s options appear to be marketable.

“My goal for wherever I end up is to do whatever I can to help our team be successful,” said Watson. “My academics are very important to me. Also, being on the field playing this game, contributing any way that I can is something that I take seriously. I’m very thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had and I’m excited about what’s to come.”

Aubrey Horst Selected for USA Softball High Performance Program

Aubrey Horst Selected for USA Softball High Performance Program

By: Rob Else

Last spring, Aubrey Horst (2027 – Gretna East/NE National-Taylor) received an email from her club coach about a Team USA High Performance Program tryout in Kansas City.  She didn’t know much about the program or really what to expect, but after talking it over with her mom she decided to give it a try.

In June Aubrey attended the Regional Identifier tryout at the MLB Urban Youth Academy.  Aubrey competed against girls from a five-state region that includes Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri.  Players were evaluated on two defensive positions, hitting, and speed.  The top athletes from the Regional Identifier would be selected for the National Selection Event.

On June 23rd Aubrey received the news she was waiting for.  She had been selected for the National Selection Event.

According to the USA Softball website, the High Performance Program is “the pipeline to the Women’s National Team.”  The top athletes from each Regional Identifier are selected to attend the National Selection Event.  After the National Selection Event it’s possible to get invited to the National Team trial.

That National Selection Event was held at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida. “There were so many talented players there. It was really cool to be around them and compete with them,” said Horst.  Several of the USA National Team players were also there, including Cat Osterman, Ally Carda, Gwen Svekis, and Haylie McCleney. 

At the event, the players were run through a series of athletic tests where evaluations were done every step of the way.  “Friday, I had to get all my athletic testing completed. This was the speed tests, the throwing velos, hitting velos, defensive position evaluations. There is an evaluation team at every test recording times and velos and writing evaluation notes,” said Horst.  In addition to the tests, players were provided with classroom sessions on mental health, physical preparation, social media, and Name Image Likeness (NIL).  Players also had the opportunity to show off their skills in live games in front of more evaluators. During the games, teams of evaluators were watching and taking notes on every player.

The event lasted four days and Aubrey had tons of support from her teammates and coaches back home. Several of her Gretna East and NE National teammates reached out with messages cheering her on while she was in Florida.

Overall, the experience was one Aubrey will never forget and one that will help her become a better player.  “It made me get out of my comfort zone and push myself even harder. Playing with and against all those girls was amazing. I realized what parts of my game I do well, and what parts I need to put more work into,” said Horst. It also wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her parents, family, coaches and teammates.

Aubrey plans to play college softball and has just started looking at schools.  She will be attending several college camps this year, including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and probably a few more.

Top Players Showcase Their Skills at Power 50 Prospects Event

Top Players Showcase Their Skills at Power 50 Prospects Event

By Rob Else

Several top players from the 2025 and 2026 classes showed off their skills for college coaches at the Top Gun Events Power 50 Prospect camp.  The inaugural event, held November 18th at the Griffon Indoor facility in St. Joseph, MO, wasn’t a traditional camp that players are familiar with.  “It wasn’t a traditional camp like people are used to.  It was not an instructional camp at all it was purely a showcase camp,” said Paige Crawford, Director of Athletic Experience for Top Gun Events.

The all-day event started early with opening ceremonies and players being split up into teams, depending on their graduating class.  Following the opening ceremonies, the showcase kicked off with metric testing.  Athletes were run through several tests that college coaches use to evaluate recruits.  The tests included a 40-yard dash, the pro agility shuttle, throwing velocity, exit velocity, and pitching measurables.  All the results were posted in real-time to the Top Gun Events website allowing college coaches to pull up player performances while at the event.  

There were lots of great players, but here are a few that stood out during the metric testing:

  • Keegan Baker (2026) – Oklahoma Athletics – Fastest pitching velocity at 66 mph
  • Addison Ray (2026) – Select Fastpitch – Top exit velocity of 78 mph.
  • Payton Steuart (2026) – Epic Fastpitch – Best catcher pop time, between 1.66 – 1.90
  • Lydia Turner (2026) – Select Fastpitch – Fastest 40-yard dash time at 5.33.

You can view the full leaderboard on the Top Gun event website here: Top Gun Metrics

In addition to metric evaluations, athletes attended classroom training.  Sessions included the BMS Project talking about mental health, Tony Wylie from The Collective Engine provided information about Name Image Likeness (NIL), and Alana Vawter, a current player for South Carolina.  “I loved getting to listen in on the sessions to make me become the best player I can be, all while staying healthy,” said Cali Bentz (2026) from Nebraska Gold.

After a break for lunch, the day continued with live skills workouts and scrimmages in front of the college coaches.  “The day was long but fun! I learned a ton of new things about the NIL deals and the recruiting process,” said Avery Nelson (2026) from the SE IA Allstars. 

The event was limited to the Top 50 players in the Midwest region.  Each player was selected through an extensive process that included being nominated by their club organization.  The nominated players were then reviewed by a selection committee to determine if they met the participation criteria.  If a player was selected by the committee, then an offer to attend was sent.  “My initial reaction was very excited. I didn’t know if I would get in and getting to be one of the 50 athletes selected to go was a very exciting opportunity,” said Bentz.

Overall, the event was a success for everyone that attended.  The hope is to continue this event and make it an annual tradition.  Top Gun Events is already planning a similar event; the Top 100 Junior Prospect event will be held in January.  The event will include over 20 NAIA, JUCO, and Division 2 college coaches on hand to evaluate 2025 athletes.  It will use the same selection process for inviting players.

Mississippi State pledge Troutman agrees to NIL deal

Mississippi State pledge Troutman agrees to NIL deal

By Jeff Strange

Henderson County (KY) senior OF/1B Taylor Troutman has agreed to a Name Image Likeness (NIL) deal with The Collective Engine and Top Gun Events. Troutman, who is committed to play for Mississippi State upon high school graduation currently stars for Top Gun National 18u, coached by Bob Turner.

The NCAA enacted the name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy on July 1, 2021. Student-athletes are now free to enter into any endorsement deals for their name, image, and likeness as they see fit. The Collective Engine (TCE) helps athletes pilot a route forward — with sponsorship, licensing, social media, and personal branding — that helps athletes maximize their overall value. The Collective Engine announced a partnership with Top Gun Events in August 2023 as an avenue to help support student-athletes with their NIL objectives.

Troutman has indicated that she has submitted a list of brands to The Collective Engine that she is hopeful to work with and promote through social media outlets. Some of the brands range from sports apparel, clothing lines, water bottle companies, skin care brands, restaurants and of course, softball equipment and products. 

In the meantime, Troutman stays active and busy with her softball schedule along with playing an active role with children in her community.

“Kids are my passion,” said Troutman. “I’m planning to major in elementary education and special education. I’m currently a peer tutor in my high school and help teach the special needs program. I also teach pre-school for two hours a day – I love working with children!”

Teaching pre-school. High school. National level travel softball. College on the horizon. There’s a lot on the plate for Troutman. She recognizes a great support system through her family, coaches and faith.

“My family has been very supportive every step of the way for me,” said Troutman. “My dad is actually my high school team’s coach – we’ve grown a ton together. My mom travels with me a lot to our tournaments and is always supporting me. Coach Bob (Turner) has been a great mentor for me; I probably wouldn’t even be on this call if it wasn’t for all the support that he’s provided along the way. I also turn to prayer and my faith to help me with the mental side of everything in life – not just softball.”

With a bright outlook on life and a strong presence on the field, in the classroom and her community, Troutman exudes a positive image that fits well with any promotions of brands that she hopes to partner with. She acknowledges that she is happy that she has signed her NIL deal with The Collective Engine and Top Gun Events.

“Getting this NIL deal signed relieves a lot of stress for when I get to college,” said Troutman. “With classes, softball, workouts all on the horizon, it’s very exciting that this is set and I know what to expect.”