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Minnesota Sting Elite (formerly Sting 93)
Sting Elite Team Profile
The Minnesota Sting 93 girls fastpitch softball team was created in August 2006 with the idea of putting together the very best fastpitch team possible from players who were all born in 1993. In this way, the girls would all have the same age-eligibility and would be able to play together as a group every season throughout their teen years. Mark Bayers, from Maplewood, was named the head coach and Rob Walker, from Shakopee, was named as assistant coach.
Sting 93 tryouts were held in Maplewood and within a few weeks, the team began play in the 2006 MMFL Fall League at the 16U "A" level. This was quite a challenge considering the girls had just finished up with 12U ball. However, the team exceeded all expectations and finished tied for fifth place in the MMFL Fall State tournament.
After the fall season, Sting 93 played in an 18U indoor league at the Sports Dome in Rosemount. Several of the top high school players in the state played on the various participating teams. The girls held their own against some very tough competition and learned a lot in the process. After that, some of the girls played in another 18U dome league in Minnetonka, while all of them attended clinics, worked out, and continued to improve their game throughout the short “off” season.
Kristin Danielson, a freshman pitcher for the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Carter Malouf, a freshman catcher for Washington University in St. Louis joined Sting 93 as assistant coaches for the summer of 2007. The girls learned a ton from both of these excellent young coaches.
Sting 93's 2007 accomplishments included: fourth place at the 14U Gauntlet Spring Nationals in Ankeny, Iowa; second place at the 14U Flower Power Tournament in Des Moines; second place at the 16U Lakeville Grand Slam tournament; first place in the 16U Twister Cup in Maple Grove; first place in 16U Tri-County League play; and pool winners at 14U AFA Nationals in Elgin, Illinois. Sting 93 finished its summer season with a record of 40 wins, 15 losses, and 4 ties playing at the 16U level in Minnesota and the 14U level in tournaments outside of Minnesota. Sting 93 went on to win the prestigious Labor Day Classic tournament in Grinnell, Iowa and finish 5th out of 51 teams in the MMFL 16U Fall League.
In 2008, Sting 93 placed second in the 16U St. Paul Rookies tournament, first in the 16U Lakeville Grand Slam tournament, first in the 16U Colorado Classic, and 35th out of 155 teams in the 16U Colorado Sparkler. Sting 93 also finished third in the 16U Elite League State Tournament. The Sting's summer season ended in dramatic fashion by winning the 14U NAFA "A" National Tournament in Crown Point, Indiana.
In 2009 Sting 93 placed 2nd in the 16U ASA national qualifier in Rochester, 2nd in the 16U MSF/ASA State tournament and 2nd in the 18U Elite State Tournament. In addition, Sting 93 placed 65th out of 164 teams competing in the ASA 16U National tournment in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sting 93 changed its name to Sting Elite in August, 2009 and held tryouts for the 2010 season. In the fall, 2009, Sting Elite played in the MMFL Fall 18U Elite league. Sting Elite won the state championship and ended with a record of 12 wins, no losses. Elite will play a winter dome session before breaking for high school ball. For the 2010 summer season, Sting Elite will play 18U Elite and compete in all the highest level tournaments locally and nationally.
Being a member of Sting Elite requires a high level of commitment to the team by the girls, the coaches, and the parents. The goal is not only to help the girls be successful on the field, but also to help them grow as young women off the field. The other goals are to have fun, and to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
PLAYER PROFILES ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING THE HEAD COACH. Click on the link above to view the 2009-10 Sting Elite team profile summary.
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