Desert Wolves 97 Firestone: Wolf Pack News

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone got great pitching in first two games of the AZ ASA National Qualifier but couldn't produce victories. As a result, they made an unusal early exit from the tournament this weekend.

Next up, PGF AZ Qualifier....the competition isn't getting any easier!

Good luck ladies!

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone finished a very long day of softball with an exciting championship game against Team AZ (Phoenix).

The Wolves got behind early to Team AZ (4-0) but rallied for a couple runs late to finish strong. The Wolves fell short of earning the title (4-2) but after competing in 7 games on Saturday and Sunday, the Wolves learned that they are never out of any game and they will compete until the very last out.

Once again, ladies, you should be very proud of your effort and performance to start the Championship Run!

Go Wolves!

The Desert Wolves 97 Firestone played an outstanding day of softball at the USSSA Thanksgiving Festival 16U. The Championship was the first at the 16U level for this strong 14U squad.

Outstanding pitching, hitting, and defense led to a day with 38 runs scored while only giving up 2 in 4 games. This was a total team performance with all of the ladies making significant contributions to bring home the championship trophy!

It is nice to be back in the championship circle again!

Great job Wolves!

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone had a very solid weekend against solid competition at the USSSA Monster Mash 16U. The team had tremendous pitching and defensive performances with only allowing 10 runs the entire tournament and only had 3 defensive errors!

The momentum keeps building and we are starting to the see the results of our hard work!

 Great job ladies and keep up the good work!

After a slow start on Saturday, the Desert Wolves 97 Firestone ladies played well the last three games, winning two of the three. All three pitchers (Courtney, Christina, and Peyton) had solid outings and with defensive improvement behind them, they should have a terrific season.

Now its time to prepare for the trip to San Diego for the TCS Monster Mash, which will provide a significant challenge to the Desert Wolves but we are going to be up to it!

Go gettem' ladies!

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone started the 2011-2012 season at the TCS Fun in the Sun Tournament in Phoenix, AZ in the 14A/16B bracket. Although there were many bright spots over the weekend, the team did not meet its goals or expectations for the start of the season.

The team will take what it learned and begin to build to the future since its "not how you start but how you finish!"

We will get 'em next time ladies!

Go Wolves!

After the Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone held open tryouts on Saturday, August 13th looking for quality players (and families) to add to the Desert Wolves Softball Family for the 2011-2012 season, the team is excited to announce the newest members to the Wolf Pack!

Please join the coaches in welcoming the Knott Family (Shawn, Andrea, and Kaitlynn), the Moore Family (Adam, Danielle, and MacKenzie), the Kelley Family (James, Cathy, and Jackie), the Budinger Family (Kory, Pam, and MacKenzie), Sandblom Family, (Bob, Sue, and Lily), and the Mierau Familly (Wes, Penny, and Peyton) to Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone.

We are very excited to have Kaitlynn, MacKenzie, Jackie, MacKenzie, Lily, and Peyton on our squad and we know they will make a significant contribution in helping us reach our goals this upcoming season.

Welcome Kaitlynn, MacKenzie, Jackie, MacKenzie, Lily, and Peyton!

Go Wolves........

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone will be holding open tryouts on Saturday, August 13th at 8am -12noon at Desert Mountain High School Softball Complex.

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone has a solid core of strong high level players and is looking to add several more to their roster for the upcoming 2011/2012 season. We are looking to add the right players, teammates, and families. All positions will be considered. All inquires will be kept confidential. Private tryouts can be arranged/scheduled.

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone had a terrific start in the 2010/2011 season with several championships and several top three finishes.......We are looking for solid, experienced players who want to compete at a high level on a well coached team lead by Merrick Firestone and Jeff Sarrett.

Practices are held weekly at Desert Mountain High School Softball Complex, Horizon Park, and Desert Canyon Middle School in Scottsdale.

If you want to find out more information about an exciting coaching experience in club level softball, then please contact Merrick Firestone at 602-478-9783 or mfirestone@kmflawfirm.com.

The Desert Wolves 97 Firestone swarmed the 12 News Studio and Plaza as part of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Festivities.

Check out the link to see more of their visit!

Go Wolves!!!!

A short-handed and injured Desert Wolves 97 Firestone team finished two solid days of softball in the cool pines of Flagstaff, Arizona with a 6-0 record and brought home the TCS Cool Country Classic Championship Trophy!

The young ladies of the Desert Wolves 97 Firestone team should be very proud of the solid performances each one of the them showed both in the field and at the plate; which resulted in overwhelming victories in 5 of the 6 games!

Once again ladies, great job! Our softball journey together is only just beginning!

Go Wolves!

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone finished a very long day of softball with an exciting championship game against the Desert Thunder 96 (Tucson).

The Wolves fell behind early to the Thunder (8-0) but rallied to tie the game going into the final inning. The Wolves fell short of earning the title (12-8) but after competing in 6 games on Saturday, the Wolves learned that they are never out of a game and they will compete until the very last out.

Ladies, you should be very proud of your effort and performance!

Go Wolves!

The Desert Wolves 97 Firestone family welcomes back Ryleigh Williams (Scott & Carla). Ryleigh brings excellent speed and hitting to the team and her recent high school experience will undoubtedly help the Wolves meet its goals this remainder of this season.  Welcome back Ryleigh! 

The coaching staff has continued to look for quality players (families) to add to the Desert Wolves Softball Family. As a result of those efforts, we are pleased to announce that we have added another new player to the Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone team.....

Please join the coaches in welcoming the Jones Family (Brian, Linda, and Bridget) to Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone. We are very excited to have Bridget on our squad and we know she too will make a significant contribution in helping us reach our goals this season.

Welcome Bridget!

Go Wolves........

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone had a terrific start to the 2011 USSSA Greatest Show on Dirt Tournament with a solid 12 -2 victory over the Lil Saints that concluded with a 2 -1 record in Saturday Pool Play. Unfortunately, the team suffered a disappointing loss to the DW/Synergy Spring Team in the first round on Sunday.

It was a tough lesson but one we hope will help our team understand the competitive nature of fastpitch softball as they continue to strive for higher levels.

Still alot more softball in front of us and we will continue to work hard to get better!

Keep your chins up ladies! We are gonna get it done for sure!

Go Wolves!

As many of you are aware, we have been looking to add a couple quality players (families) to the Desert Wolves Softball Family. This past week we have had invited tryouts with several young ladies that we felt would be able improve our team. We are pleased to annouce that we have a new addition to the Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone team.....

Please join the coaches in welcoming the Jordan Family (Mike, Laura, and Emily) to Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone. We are very excited to have Emily with us and we know she will make a significant contribution in helping us reach our team goals this season.

Welcome Emily!

Go Wolves........

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone had its first out-of-state tournament experience and traveled to Las Vegas for the St. Paddy's Day Blast.

The team had a solid weekend and competed well in every game against solid competition from So. Cal, No. Cal, and Nevada. Teams that all have longer histories together. We finished pool play with a 1 and 2 record and a 1 and 1 record in elimination play. 

Our momentum continues to grow and the journey to improve never ends. We are working to compete with the best teams in the state of Arizona and the region!

Nice weekend ladies, it was alot of fun!

Go Wolves!

Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone had a Runner-Up finish in The USSSA Classic at Rose Mofford Softball Complex. With only 9 players available for the weekend, the ladies showed incredible determination and effort to finish in 2nd place to one of the best teams in Arizona.

The Wolf Pack continues its journey to build a solid team and program that will compete week-in and week-out for Championships!

Great start to the Spring Season ladies!

Go Wolves! 

Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone finished in 3rd Place in the ASA Winter Classic. And eventhough we were disappointed with the outcome over the weekend, we continue to be very pleased with our overall Fall Season effort and results.

The Wolf Pack will take a well deserved break for the holidays and then get started in January 2011 with the second phase of the 14U softball experience.

 Great Fall Season ladies!

Go Wolves!!!! 

The Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone family welcomes Jeff Sarrett and Greg Thorell to the coaching staff. Both bring excellent coaching and playing experience that will undoubtedly help the team meet its goals this season.  Welcome Coach Jeff and Coach Greg! 

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone had another solid weekend performance at the USSSA Thanksgiving Festival with a 4 and 1 record and a 3rd Place finish against solid competition. 

Although we are disappointed with the outcome, we continue the journey to improve during the instructional phase of the season.

Great job ladies! You should be very proud of your effort this weekend.

Go Wolves!

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone had another solid weekend performance at the USSSA Team Sports Qualifier with a 6 and O record and a 1st Place finish against solid competition with longer histories together. 

Our momentum is growing and we continue the journey to improve during the instructional phase of the season. We are working to compete with the best teams in the state of Arizona.

Once again.......nice job ladies!

Go Wolves!

The Desert Wolves 97 - Firestone family welcomes Ricardo, Jennifer, and Sophie Arregoces as its newest members.  Sophie will undoubtedly contribute mightily to the great things the team will accomplish this season.  Welcome Sophie! 

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone had a great weekend performance at the TCS OctoberFest Classic with a 6 and O record and a 1st Place finish against solid competition with longer histories together. 

The season is young and we continue the journey to improve during the instructional phase of the season and work to compete with the best teams in the state of Arizona.

Nice Job Ladies!

Go Wolves!

Desert Wolves 97 Firestone got the new season started with a solid weekend performance against teams with longer histories together. Many of these teams quickly learned that the Desert Wolves 97 are going to be a team that will make some noise and get others attention. (check some of the discussions on www.43ft.com)

Now we continue the journey to improve during the instructional phase of the season and work to compete with the best teams in the state of Arizona.

Go Wolves!

Desert Wolves 14U coached by Merrick Firestone and Jon Kemp has successfully completed its invitation only tryouts and has a great core of solid athletes/players as it begins the 2010-2011 softball season. Coach Firestone and Coach Kemp will continue to hold private and team tryouts as it rounds out its roster of 12 players. If you are a '97 birth date player and desire to be compete and be caoched at a higher level, then please contact Merrick Firestone at mfirestone@kmflawfirm.com .

Team Philosophy:

We will strive to provide a competitive high level softball experience that balances softball with school and other activities.  We have two primary coaches (non-parent) that instruct at a higher level that are looking for committed players and families to join our team and organization.  We are interested in players (and families) with good attitudes, work ethics, and character looking for a competitive softball experience.  We will be a competitive team and we will focus on winning each and every game we play while providing the best instruction to each an every player on the team.

2010/2011 Team Schedule and Goal:

We will hold tryouts in mid-August and begin practices as soon as our team is formed.  We will practice two times during the week and once during the weekend. We will plan on playing at least 2 tournaments per month, which will be mostly local tournaments.  Our goal is to qualify for a national championship tournament that would be held in late July or early August.  Although the tournaments will be primarily held throughout Arizona, we could possibly attend a southern California/Nevada tournament during the season.  

Coaches: 

Head Coach Merrick Firestone: His contact information is mfirestone@kmflawfirm.com and his cell is 602-478-9783. 

Asst. Coach Mike Thorell: His contact information is mike@thorellaz.com and his cell is 602-762-0494.

Asst. Coach Jeff Sarrett. His contact information is jsarrett@usenergyservices.net and his cell is 480-661-1534.