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 Finesse History |
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Background of Finesse
History behind the Finesse organization start with Denny Schlimgen. He was the founder of the Finesse Softball in 1986. The organization began as one slowpitch team that he started for his daughter, Shawna. At the time Denny worked for Helene Curtis who helped to sponsor the team. Denny did quite well as the manager of the team which culminated in winning the 1988 NSA Slowpitch World Series. After his daughter's player career ended, Denny wanted to continue the program and become less involved in coaching. In 1991, Barry Patterson was named the 18 & Under manager and was given the responsibility, with the help of Denny, to create an entire program of teams to help feed each other. In 1992, a 16 & Under Team was added,in 1993 two teams were added at 12 and 14 & Under, and finally a 13 year old team was added in the 14 & Under age group.
Finesse Converts to Fastpitch
With the 1996 Olympics, the popularity of fastpitch had become increasingly popular. Youth participation in slowpitch began to decline and college and high school coaches in Michigan wanted to see their kids playing fastpitch. It became quite apparent that slowpitch softball was on its way out at the youth level. In 1998, the 12 & Under team and the 18 & Under Team began the conversion to fastpitch while the 14 & Under and 16 & Under teams continued to play slowpitch. Finally in 1999, all teams were converted to fastpitch with rapid success, and a 2nd 14 & Under team was added to consist of mostly 13 year olds. The 1999 year proved successful with state championships won at the 12, 14, & 18 & Under age groups. In 2 years, Finesse is considered one of the top programs in the state of Michigan. In the 2nd full year of fastpitch, Finesse has won 7 State Championships and has had 7 top 10 placings at National Tournaments.
18 & Under Past Accomplishments
2000 NSA "A" Fastpitch World Series 17th
2000 ASA Compuware Fastpitch Classic Champions
2000 NSA State Fastpitch Championships 2nd
2000 USSSA State Fastpitch Championships 2nd
1997 USSSA Slowpitch Eastern World Champions
1997 USSSA Slowpitch World Series Runner's Up
1996 USSSA Slowpitch World Series Champions
1995 NSA Slowpitch World Series Champions
1988 NSA Slowpitch World Series Champions
1999 NSA Fastpitch State Champions
1998 NSA Fastpitch State Championships 3rd
1993, 1995-97 USSSA State Slowpitch Champions
1999 NSA Fastpitch "A" World Series 3-2
1999 USSSA Fastpitch World Series 9th
1998 USSSA Fastpitch World Series 13th
16 & Under Past Accomplishments
2000 NSA "A" Fastpitch World Series 7th
2000 NSA Fastpitch State Champions
2000 USSSA Fastpitch States 4th
2000 ASA Lady Irish Fastpitch Invitational Champions
2000 ASA Silverbullets Fastpitch Shootout 2nd
1999 USSSA Fastpitch World Series 9th
1999 NSA Fastpitch State Championships 4th
1998 NSA Slowpitch World Series 5th
1998 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 11th
1998 USSSA Slowpitch State Champions
1997 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 3rd
1997 USSSA Slowpitch State Champions
1996 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 3rd
1996 USSSA Slowpitch State Champions
1995 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 5th
1995 USSSA Slowpitch State Champions
1994 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 13th
1994 USSSA Slowpitch State Tournament 2nd
1993 USSSA Slowpitch State Champions
1993 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 9th
1992 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 5th
1992 USSSA Slowpitch State Tournament 2nd
14 & Under Past Accomplishments
2000 USSSA Fastpitch World Series Runner's Up
2000 NSA "A" Fastpitch World Series 9th
2000 F.A.S.T. Fastpitch Nationals (13's) 5th
2000 USSSA Fastpitch World Series (13's) 7th
1999 F.A.S.T. Fastpitch Nationals Runner's Up
2000 NSA State Champions
2000 NSA State Runner's Up (13's)
2000 USSSA State Champions 16 & U
1999 USSSA State Champions
2000 NSA Earlybird Classic (13's) Runner's Up
2000 NSA Memorial Fastpitch Classic (13's) Champions
2000 NSA Can/Am Fastpitch Classic Champions
2000 ASA Sunny Delight Fastpitch Invitational Champions
2000 USSSA Beavercreek 16 & U National Invitational Champions
2000 NSA Firecracker Explosion 16 & U Champions
2000 USSSA Little Caesar's National Invitational (13's) Champions
1997 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 3rd
1996 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 5th
1996 NSA Slowpitch World Series 13th
1995 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 18th
1994 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 8th
1999 USSSA Fastpitch State Champions
1999 USSSA Fastpitch Little Caesar's NIT Champions
1999 NSA Fastpitch Early Bird Champions
1999 NSA Fastpitch Memorial Classic Champions
1999 ASA Fastpitch Silverbullet Shootout 2nd
1999 NSA Fastpitch State Championships 4th
1994-98 USSSA State Slowpitch Champions
1997 USSSA Smoky Baker's All-American NIT Champs
1996 USSSA Smoky Baker's All-American NIT Runner's Up
12 & Under Past Accomplishments
2000 USSSA Fastpitch World Series 16th
1999 NSA World Series 2-2
1996 USSSA Slowpitch World Series 13th
1999-2000 NSA State Champions
1996 USSSA State Slowpitch Champions
2000 NSA Regional Runner's Up
2000 ASA Silverbullets Shootout Runner's Up
1999-2000 ASA G.R. Blaze Classic Champions
2000 USSSA Little Caesar's National Invitational 14 & U 3rd
1999 NSA Memorial Classic Fastpitch Champs
1999 NSA Horton Invitational Fastpitch Champs
1999 NSA Can-Am Fastpitch Games Champions
1999 ASA NWO Lady Irish Firecracker Champions
1999 NSA Summer Slam Fastpitch Champions
1997 USSSA Slowpitch Muncie NIT Champions
1996 USSSA Slowpitch Interlakes Qualifier Champs
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