Heartbreakers Gold: News

Sunday, November 8
Heartbreakers Coaches Attend NFCA Coaches College
Three Heartbreakers coached attended the National Fastpitch Coaches Association attended a Coaches College class held at Montclair State University in New Jersey on Position Play and Individual Defensive Skills.  14U Coach Walt Holman, 10U Coach John Gallagher, and 18U Coach Terry Burdette attended the 3 day class which is part of the NFCA's 4 Star Coaching Program.  The class was taught by Cindy Bristow, Founder of Softball Excellence and NFCA Hall of Famer; Bill Edwards, Head Coach at Hofstra University and 2009 HOF Inductee; and John Tschida, Head Coach at Two Time DIII National Champion University of St Thomas. 

NFCC Coaches College.jpg

Roy Hammel
Thursday, January 10
Heartbreakers Mourn Loss of Coach Roy Hammel --
Roy Hammel, Heartbreakers Red Coach from 2000-2004, died suddenly in Frederick on January 10.  Roy was a great influence to many young ladies who wore the Red and Black.  We will miss you, Roy! 

 

2001 HB

HB and Steve
Friday, October 10
Heartbreakers Lose a Friend, Steve Wilson

On Sunday, October 7, long time Heartbreakers fan Steve Wilson passed away after an 8 month battle with cancer.  In August, Steve and his daughter, Cara, made the trip to College Station to see the Heartbreakers play in the ASA Nationals.  The thoughts and prayers of the Heartbreakers organization go out to the Wilson family. 



Mike Candrea
Sunday, November 5
Heartbreakers Coaches Learn From the Best
Connie Clark
Columbus, OH -- The Heartbreakers had four coaches participate in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coaches College class held on November 3-5. The speakers were University of Arizona and Team USA Head Coach Mike Candrea, University of Texas head coach Connie Clark, and Oregon State University Head Coach and Assistant National Team coach Kirk Walker. Terry Burdette, Todd Anders, and Larry Kershner attended from the 18U Heartbreakers Red coaching staff and Tony Bobbitt from the 16U Heartbreakers attended the class. This class is part of the NFCA Master Coach program.

Kirk Walker

Friday, April 7
Coach Burdette Elected National Travel Ball Rep by the NFCA
nfca.gif
Heartbreakers Red Head Coach Terry Burdette has been elected as the National Travel Ball Representative for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. As the group representative, Burdette will represent the travel ball membership in the business of the NFCA. He will represent the group and report to the executive board, the membership and national softball committees concerns and recommendations of travel ball coaches.


Tuesday, April 25
Ali Higgs Joins the Philadelphia Force
Ali Drop
Ali Higgs returned from 6 months playing and coaching in Austrlia and will join the Philadelphia Force of the National Pro Fastpitch League. It is Ali's 2nd year in the league after playing with the NY Juggernaut in 2005.

Ali and Natasha
view full size
Tuesday, July 19
Heartbreakers Show Support for Ali Higgs
Current and former Heartbreakers players and coaches traveled to Allentown, PA, to support HB Red Hall of Famer Ali Higgs and the NY Juggernaut on Thursday, July 14. The Juggernaut was scheduled to play the Venezualan National Team but when the opponents' bus got lost, the Naut played an intra-squad scrimmage instead. Ali demonstrated all of her skills as a pitcher, centerfielder, and hitter.

In Memory of Steve Linger
Steve Linger

On Tuesday, May 10, Steve Linger died in Manalapan, FL. One can't think of fastpitch softball in Frederick County without thinking of the man affectionately known as Ling. Among his softball accomplishments were:

Founded the first ASA Junior Olympic team in Frederick County, the Lewistown Tigers in 1983;
As Lewistown Youth Athletic Association Fields Coordinator, he helped build the ball fields at Lewistown in 1982;
Founded and directed the Tigers Softball Pitching Clinic beginning in 1986;
Coached the Lewistown Tigers from 1983-1991;
Coached the Governor Thomas Johnson High School team from 1988-1990;
Coached at Messiah College in Grantham, PA, from 1991-1996 where they were nationally ranked for 5 of those seasons; and
Started the softball program at Frederick Community College in 1997

The Frederick fastpitch softball community and the Heartbreakers organization will truly miss this softball legend.