We Work Hard...
About Us
There are several misconceptions about this Blaze team. This page will provide history of the team and answer several commonly asked questions.
History
This team was put together during the fall of 2004. The team was made up of players from a wide geographic distribution and a 50/50 mixture of ASA and little league players. The team, never having the opportunity to play together previously, went undefeated during the fall season and won the fall tournament.
During the 10A 2005 summer season, the team had a 81% winning percentage and won the 10A Oregon ASA State Tournament. The team also had the opportunity to travel down to Southern California to play the top two teams in the nation. While in California the team spent several days at Disneyland. These type of fun team events happen several times during the year.
During the 12A 2006 summer season, the team had a 68% winning percentage and had many highlights during the season. The team place 13th at the 12A ASA Western Nationals, which was the highest finish for any non-California team as well as the highest of any first year 12U team. The team also came in 2nd at a National Qualifier and 3rd at the Oregon State Tournament.
During the 12A 2007 summer season, the team played a mixture of 14A and 12A tournaments. The team won the 12A ASA Oregon State Championship with an impressive 5-0 record. The team took their first trip to Nationals finishing 17th with a 5-2 record. The team beat many top national teams including the Northern California State Champions San Jose Lady Sharks in 9 innings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does this team really practice
four times a week?
A. No. Between April and August the team practices twice a week:
Tuesday's and Thursday's between 5:30 - 8:00pm (Tigard High School). August is reserved for tryouts. Practice happens sporadically
during September and October and then goes to once a week (usually
Sunday evenings) from November through March. Additional
opportunities for more than once a week winter practice is available in
an optional setting. Time is taken off
for winter holidays.
Q. My daughter plays a fall or
winter sport. Can they play those sports and still play on your
team?
A. Whether you play recreationally or competitive, you will not be
required to attend Blaze functions if they conflict during another sport
during that sports in season. However, you are encouraged to
attend as many off season Blaze activities and practices as possible.
Starting in March and lasting through July softball is considered the in
season sport and is the priority.
Q. I heard the fees for this team is
$2,000.
A. Untrue. For two years running, the fees for this team run about
$650 per player. This money goes toward tournament entrance fees,
equipment, administrative fees, uniform replacement costs, etc.
The cost does not include travel expenses.
Q. I can't afford $650. What
options are available to me?
A. There are three other options for paying for your team fee. 1.
A percentage of money of any sponsor you approach that sponsors the team
will go directly towards your team fee. 2. We have player
donations letters available that you can send to family and friends.
100% of these funds goes directly towards your team fee. 3. Fundraising
opportunities exist for families.
Q. I heard this team travels the
country. This sounds expensive.
A. Untrue. This team generally travels to top tournaments within
Oregon and Washington. For the past several seasons our longest
travel trips have been down to California. We work hard to minimize
travel cost by negotiating hotel costs, etc. As this team gets
older they do plan on traveling out of state more often to compete at
the highest level.
Q. You seem to have a good core of
players. Is there really an opportunity for my daughter to break
in and play?
A. We do have a good core of players and we feel this is our strength.
However, we are always looking for quality athletes and softball players
to join our team. Positions and batting order are "earned" and
this creates competition between the players thus bring out their best.
Each player has the opportunity to earn their spot.
Q. How is playing time distributed?
Does everyone play equally?
A. As stated above positions and batting order is earned. This
also goes to playing time. This is a team that plays at the
highest levels and each tournament is played to win. We generally
do not bat the lineup (all players) and keep our rotation appropriate
for the situation. However, there will be an opportunity for all players
to play throughout the season.
Q. What are your practices like?
A. Our practices are tough and are designed to develop the players and
team to meet aggressive goals. Feedback from
players, past and present, indicate that our practices are one of the
best benefits of being on our team. Players work hard and develop
their skills faster through engineered practice sessions. We "win
the game" during practice and are prepared for any challenge during the
game.
Q. This team is "Beaverton Blaze -
Edwards" but Gary Edwards never shows up. Is that true?
A. When this team was formed during 2004 Gary Edwards, along with the
Beaverton High School varsity softball team staff, was listed as the
head coach of the team, hence the "Blaze - Edwards" title. The
direction and time commitment of this team moved into a direction that
often conflicted with the high school varsity team schedule.
Gary's first commitment was and still is with his high school program. Hence,
Gary has fallen into more of a "consultation" roll. What does this
mean? Gary helps during tryouts and attends several practices and
games throughout the season. Gary also advises players and coaches
during the season on various improvement opportunities.
Q. Then who coaches the team?
A. The head coach is Chris Garcia. Coach Garcia is an assistant
coach on the high school varsity team and has several years coaching
experience. His assistant is Greig Olson. Coach Olson has
several years of head coaching and assistant coaching experience.
Web admin - Chris Luken