Fury Fastpitch Academy

Holidays and January at FFA

2011-12-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

Fury gives to the Salvation Army for 4 years. Thanks to Major English for his heart-felt presentation.

Big Events in January...Limited Space, so DON'T WAIT!

Advanced Fastpitch Hitting Clinic - Sunday, January 8th

University of Florida's Tim Walton and University of Tennessee's Ralph Weekly together in the same hitting clinic

Scenic City Fastpitch Pitching Clinic - Saturday, January 7th

University of Tennessee's Marty McDaniel and University of Alabama's Stephanie VanBrakle together for this pitching clinic.

Winter Indoor Fastpitch Showcase - Saturday, January 21st

Hit.Pitch. Catch. Throw. Run. While College Coaches Watch It All. A great opportunity to showcase your skills in the middle of winter.

Holiday Spirit Winners (no pictures of Blaes...she also won)

This and That...Fury Gear

2011-10-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Brilliant

Watch and Learn. Be a student...always.

Top Plays from Game 5 of the MLB World Series

Napoli...

Order your Fury Academy gear. This order was put on hold for a bit, but we are ready to put it through. Follow this link to the order form and get your Fury Academy gear.

the "lucky gene"

2011-09-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

Jeremy and I repeatedly find ourselves talking about the misconception that certain people were born with the "lucky gene". By this we mean that thin people are all born with an unbelievable metabolism. Rich people are lucky in business decisions. Happy people wake up smiling every day. You get the idea. What we continue to see is that thin people usually works their butts off at "not being fat". Rich people rarely get a full night's sleep because they have too much work to do. Happy people decide to be happy and constantly work on their perspective and make decisions with their happiness in mind.

The pitcher that you or your daughter idolizes, the hitter that hits the balls crazy distances, the coach that happens to win and win and win, all work smarter and harder than the rest of the players and coaches in the game. Success, in anything, is directly related to the amount and type of work one chooses to put into it. Each of us can decide to be successful by taking responsibility for our individual success, and every day is an opportunity to get closer to any goal.

This batting rug and pitching mat are in the living room of Acelynn Sellers. Acelynn has a natural affinity for anything athletic and has really taken off as a pitcher and hitter with Jeremy and I loving being her instructors. With Acelynn's support system, work ethic, and natural abilities, don't be surprised if she's "a lucky one".

Give your new son or daughter some extra luck and consider buying one of these onesies. :) We also have some t-shirts for sale :)) Link for Fury Gear

You rock!

2011-09-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

I asked our Fury Academy parents to submit any exciting news about our Fury Academy students:

Hannah Kincer Fury ’00, started her first MS game Saturday for Signal Mountain Middle against the Rhea County Eagles. Signal won 5-0 and she did a great job!

Aryn Sanders scored a HR and did really good at Short Stop for the Eagles too!

Madeline Stone made the 04 Frost Falcons select team. She has came a long way with the help of the Fury Academy. Thanks, Michael Stone

Anslee Walker made the 10u select team Lady Mocs.

Kayleigh Page made the Baylor middle school softball team.

Devyn Hale made Ringgold MS Softball team.

Coach Candrea

2011-08-31T06:25:00.000-07:00

I hope this blog finds you well and feeling good about life.

Below is a letter from Coach Mike Candrea, 2-time Olympic gold medalist and 8-time NCAA National Champion. I receive his monthly newsletter through ASA and love getting an insight into Coach Candrea's thoughts.

Jeremy and I get to work and socialize with a number of successful men and women and we find that all of them live by some version of Coach Candrea's "code of conduct". We find over and over that people who are passionate about their career, family, just life in general, reach their goals more often then they do not. And when they come up short on a goal, they make sure to learn from their mistakes.

Enjoy Coach Candrea's words and have a WONDERFUL day!

August 30, 2011
Volume II, Issue 19

Professionalism – A Code of Conduct

As I travel back from a very memorable trip to New York where I had the opportunity to experience a weekend with the New York Yankees, I thought I would share with you some observations of arguably the most successful franchise in professional sports. It is hard to imagine the wealth of success (27 World Championships) and a tradition that defines the sport. Walking through the offices and seeing pictures of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Mickey Mantle (my idol growing up), and all the great players that have worn the uniform, must be quite the challenge for today’s Yankees to live up to the expectations of fans from every generation possible. The one thing I could feel from everyone that I had a chance to visit with from coaches, players, and front office was the sense of pride and obligation that went with representing the New York Yankee organization.

As I have the opportunity to watch many softball games during the summer, I always like to focus on the programs that ultimately find a way to position themselves for a chance to compete for a National Championship. Believe it or not, many of the teams have the same qualities as the New York Yankees, although at a different level. What are these qualities that separate the good from the great? Yes, the Yankee’s are quite wealthy and are not scared to spend money to get the best players. Although, after my trip, it is obvious that these players must also be a good fit and embrace the code of conduct and professionalism set by the organization. These same expectations can be seen in a few softball organizations today – which are exciting to see.

I had the opportunity to visit with a former Arizona Wildcat and now the hitting coach for the New York Yankees, Kevin Long and really hear about what kind of people these great athletes are. I wanted to know what kind of a teammate they were, work ethic, preparation, discipline etc. A laundry list of what we try to instill in our players and kids. The answers I received were exciting and confirmed the qualities of true professionals. There is a reason why these players are in the major leagues and continue to stay at that level. I imagine your job can be a great motivator when you have that kind of money at stake.

This excerpt was taken from the book “The Checklist Manifesto” written by Atul Gawande and speaks about learned occupations. A tremendous lesson derived from being on a team and striving for success understanding that it does prepare you for success after softball.

“All learned occupations have a definition of professionalism, a code of conduct. It is where they spell out their ideals and duties. The codes are sometimes stated, sometimes understood. But they all have at least three common elements.

First is an expectation of selflessness: that we who accept responsibility for others – whether we are doctors, lawyers, teachers, public authorities, soldiers, parents, or pilots – will place the needs and concerns of those who depend on us above our own.

Second is an expectation of skill: that we will aim for excellence in our knowledge and expertise.
Third is an expectation of trustworthiness: that we will be responsible in our personal behavior toward our charges.

Aviators, however add a fourth expectation, discipline: discipline in following prudent procedures and in functioning with others.”

Sound familiar? These are the necessary qualities that we look for in any good organization, team, player, coach or parent. This is a quick check list for reducing failure and being a functional member of the team. Are we teaching our players to be true professionals – even though we know that they will go Pro in something other than softball?

Until next month!

Coach Candrea

ASA Softball is proud to partner with Liberty Mutual Insurance to bring the youth softball community the Responsible Sports^TM program, dedicated to championing and celebrating responsibility in youth sports. We believe that some of the most influential individuals in young people's lives are parents and coaches. VisitResponsibleSports.com to learn more.

End-of-the-Summer Competitive Finishes

2011-08-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Fury 96 finished 2nd in ASA 14U Nationals in Midland, TX!!! Fury students are Hailie Williamson, Lauren Lewis, Morgan Harris, Bricen Hunt, Ashton Edwards, Jordyn Hamill, Ashley Conner, Devan Brown...

The North Ga Raiders, coached by Greg James, finished 2nd in the NSA 10U World Series. Students from the team are Cadillac James, Taylor Phillips, Haley Smith, Shaniyah Jones, Sydney Poston

Skylar Sheridan's travel team won NSA World Series!!! Skylar hits and catches with Brittney Walker.

Frost Falcons Elite won 3rd place in ASA 10U National Tournament. Taelyn Bates, Lilly Berger, Cheyenne Lindsey are all Fury students.

Fury 00 finished 5th in ASA Nationals in Johnson City. Students from Fury Academy are Maddie Millwood, Paxton Grimes, Gracey Kruse, Kamri Rich, Bailey Farrow, Emily Rye, Tory Willis...

Fury 94 (Jeremy, Jill, Tony, and Chris's team:)) finished 13th in ASA 16U Nationals in Chattanooga. It was so so so awesome to have Fury students in the stands of every game we played. Fury students: Madison Boyd, Katy Richardson, Bethany Cowart, Lindsay Fadnek, Corey Swafford, Cassi Pickett, Lexy Dean...

Fury GOLD finished (Pat's team) finished 17th in ASA Gold Nationals in San Diego, California. This is the most prestigious club tournament in the country. We are so proud of our Fury students that really shined bright in the Golden state. Fury students: Danielle Phillips, Katy Henderson, Heather Montgomery, Haley Fagan, Taylor Harris...

Fury 95 finished 33rd in ASA 16U Nationals in Chattanooga as a first year 16U team. Fury students: Haley Andrus, Bayli Cruse, Noelle Winkles, Shay Geathers, Emily Boyd, Nicole Teefy...

Fury 99 qualified and competed in ASA 12U Nationals. There were only 7 first year 12U teams out of 80 plus total teams. Fury Students include Ryan Brzozoski, Brooke Parrott, Caanan Burnett...

I KNOW I've left some important teams and students off this list. Please add your team and it's accomplishments in the "comments" below.

Summer Pics

Jackie Baird with her Catching Clinic girls.

Ivy Renfroe and Alyssa Sue at ASA 16U Nationals.

Kasey Headrick's last lesson as a high school student.

Jacqueline and...Jacqueline??

Congrats and good luck to all of our students who made and are now playing their middle school and high school seasons!!

Play Big...Shine Bright!!

love.laugh.softball.pictures.

2011-06-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

This year's camp was the best yet. The counselors were all true softball enthusiasts who let their softball geek shine. We only had 2 upset bellies and minimal tears. Mostly this year was laughter and learning. When walking through the gates one would hear a cacophany of young college athletes encouragingly yelling instruction at the team they were leading. We at Fury Academy are excited about the future of softball and the future of all of the exceptional young ladies involved in this year's camp.

Check out www.facebook.com/furyacademy for many more pictures of our week at love.laugh.softball. camp.

Fury Academy Fastpitch Hit Clinic 9-18-10

2011-06-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

This makes me smile. It's so cool to see these girls grow.

our summer events continue at Fury

2011-05-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

link to Summer Day Camp

Every Tuesday and Thursday
last clinic is Thursday, July 21

Camp times: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m..

Location: Fury South

Ages: 6-12

$15 per day per participant with $40 max for one family

Cash or Check only

“Parent / Grandparent” day out. Girls and Boys ages 12 and under play softball/baseball related games. There will be limited instruction on the fundamentals of the games and lots of fun different types of competition.

Participants will need these items every day: sneakers, bat, glove, LUNCH, water bottle.
___________________________________________________________________

link to Weekly Skills Clinics

Through Monday, July 25 work in a clinic setting with a current college player on a specific skill.

Skills taught will be based on participants' skill level.

Pitching: Mondays 515-6PM
Catching: Mondays 6-645PM

Hitting: Mondays 7-745PM

Defense: Tuesdays 6-645PM
Slapping: Tuesdays 7-745PM

Cost: $10 per clinic per week

____________________________________________________________________________

Call Jill 423.401.FURY or email Jill jcrawfordh@yahoo.com with any questions.

Rock on... Fury Students and Players Rockin the Diamond

2011-05-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

Madelyn Tankersly was named to the East Brainerd 10U All-Star Team.

Karavin Dew, Fury Alumn 2009 and Western Kentucky slugger, was named to the Sunbelt All-Conference Team.

Kasey Headrick, Fury student and SE Whitfield HS Senior, made it official with Piedmont College. Follow this link to the article in the Dalton Daily Citizen about Kasey's career at Southeast HS.

Hannah Kincer of Fury 2000 hit her first homerun...she's 10!

Kara Headrick hit her first homerun!!

Ellen Renfroe of UT Knoxville was named the SEC Freshman of the year!!!

Shelby Burchell, a Fury alumn, hit the winning walkoff homerun in the SEC Championship!!

To add your good news to our "Rock On" Newsletter, add a comment below or email jcrawfordh@yahoo.com.

Sometimes It Takes a Storm

2011-05-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

No one connected to the Fury Nation will ever forget where they were, and what it was like when the most violent and devastating storms in our lifetimes rolled through our region recently. Many of you were bunkered down in your basements with your loved ones. Some of you were seeking shelter in a closet, or in the bath tub, or just sitting in your living room praying that the tornado would somehow make a turn and miss our area altogether.

For me, I was traveling on business, and was safe in my hotel room in Tucson, Arizona. Although I was a thousand miles away I was frightened for my family. My wife, daughters, and granddaughter were huddled up in the closet under our stairs and praying for safety. For my family, the tornado passed just to the south of us, and we were spared its wrath.

Others within a mile or two from us weren’t so fortunate. On Saturday my wife and I volunteered to help out in Apison which is just minutes from our house. What I witnessed with my own eyes will forever change the way I take things for granted. Sometimes it takes a storm like that to make you realize what is important in life.

We all play a game with a bat and a ball, and to some of us it’s the most important thing in our lives. Hopefully, this storm taught us something more important. The value of faith, family, friends, and loved ones far outweighs anything that we do when we step on the field.

While we were volunteering in Apison last week we saw devastation like we have never seen before, but we also saw something else. We saw hope, and a community unselfishly come together. I saw complete strangers working side by side helping another complete stranger cut up a tree that had fallen on his house. Throughout the hot day, people came driving by the worksite and brought water, food, sunscreen, and anything we needed. We did a lot of hard work, and some people stayed from the time the sun came up until the sun went down, and I never heard a single complaint. Not one.

I am bitter about what happened to many of my friends, and neighbors as a result of this storm, but I am also so proud to be part of a community that continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with those hurt prepared to give, to help, and to pray. I am also so proud of the Fury Nation for the way that you all have stepped up to help those people affected in our area. I have heard story after story of how members of Fury Softball and Baseball teams have donated their time, money, and possessions to help those less fortunate.

When we started Fury about 4 years ago our goal was always to make our organization more than just about softball and baseball. For us it had to be about more than just a game. After the outpouring of support I have seen from our Fury parents, players, and supporters, it is clear to me that we have such a special group of people associated with Fury. Thank you so much for helping me see that the human spirit is stronger than any tornado could ever be.

Pat Moyer

Some random fun

2011-05-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

Just go for it! You could slide at 5 and you can slide now.

Relief efforts by the Fury family are still in effect. This is just the first load of water taken to the victims and workers of last week's storm.

Just Catching Up

2011-04-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

Pictures of the...Month?

Defense Clinic with Mattie, Steahl, Madison, Katy, Kasey, and Erica.

Hailey Carroll from the North Georgia Storm 02 drives one to the fence

thanks to Tony Boyd and his excellent hitting instructions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Free Softall College Recruiting Seminar

Sunday, May 1

6PM at Fury South

Summer Softball Camp love. laugh. softball. dates have been set...
Mon, June 6 - Wed, June 8

Follow this link for more information and online registration.

Summer Day Camps : a new service offered by Fury Academy

If you need a break during the summer days, bring your son or daughter (12 yrs and younger) to spend some of those days with other athletically-interested kids and our young energetic student- athlete counselors.

Fury Academy is offering Summer Day Camps!! Take a break, run errands...whatever you need to do. Bring the kids to Fury Academy Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 2pm, beginning June 14, through the entire summer.

You can pre-register for these camps at the link below or just show up and pay each day. We are very excited about this new service. Please give me a call with any questions.http://www.furyacademy.net/camps_clinics_3_23.html

Weekly Skills Clinics

Work in a clinic setting with a current college student on a specific skill starting June 13.
Catching: Mondays    6PM
Defense: Tuesdays    6PM
Hitting:    Mondays    7PM
Slapping: Tuesdays    7PM
Pitching: Mondays     6PM
These days and times are all subject to change.
Cost: $10 per clinic per week

Rock on...

Jessica Brown, alum of Northwest HS, now playing for Rhodes College, hit 3 homeruns in one game and was named SCAC Player of the Week!

Fury Alum and University of Tennessee's Ellen Renfroe was SEC Pitcher of the Week.

Bri Shoemake, alum of Ooltewah HS and Fury, is a member of the First Team All-SAC team.

Haley Andrus hit 3 homeruns in 1 game in Baylor's win against GPS.

Erica Okane, an 8th grader at Signal Mountain High School, pitched a No-Hitter!!

Cadillac James, North Georgia Raiders, hit 2 homeruns in an ASA Qualifier.

Heather Richards had a 4 for 4 outing with a Grand Slam!!

Elizabeth Willmore hit her first ever homerun...over the fence!

TO ADD ROCK ON MOMENTS, EMAIL JILL AT JCRAWFORDH@YAHOO.COM. WE LOVE SHARE WHEN OUR STUDENTS ARE ROCKIN IT!!

Just, Like....Do Something You Like.....

2011-03-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

First of all, if you're a softball fan and you never read Graham Hays's blog, you're really missing out on great insight into the college game, and also the evolution of fastpitch softball into a sport with a real fan base. And speaking of a sport with a real fan base (before I get to the real topic of this post), the first softball game is on TV this week, March 16th, CSS. A doubleheader between Auburn and Alabama. FIRST TELEVISED GAME ON MARCH 16TH....Are you kidding me?

So, back to Graham Hays and his blog...The softball community was caught off guard with the announcement that LSU Head Coach, Yvette Girouard, announced her retirement that will come after this 2011 season. Graham Hays chose Coach Girouard and her legacy to headline his article.

Tomboy???

The quote that defined the article to Jill and Blaes follows -

"To see where it's come from, I remind our players every day of the history of our sport," Girouard said. "And I think it's sort of sad that some of that will be lost. … But I think from here on in, what's awesome is that little girls are now athletes instead of tomboys, and because of TV, little girls can look up to big girls and women instead of their heroes being Derek Jeter.

"Their role models can actually be women."

Coach Girouard has one of those true "Pioneer of her Sport" stories, when comparing what the sport was when she began coaching to what it is today. Jill played for Coach Girouard on the 2001 LSU team. It was Girouard's first year in Baton Rouge and, ultimately, LSU's first trip to the Women's College World Series. So Coach Girouard's retirement announcement was of significant importance for us.

The afforementioned article went along with a topic that is almost constant in my mind and it's..."Where did the ultra-successful people in our society start? How did they become so successful? (And finally) How do they balance their professional and personal life?"

So, I watched an interview with Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook, online, a few weeks ago and I pulled this quote from his ten minute or so sit-down at Stanford University's "Start-Up School" -

In response to a question about whether or not he had a master plan for Facebook, he said,"If you just, like, work on something you like and you're passionate about it....Just stay with something that you like....You don't have to, like, have this big plan..."

I LOVE this quote for 2 reasons - 1) It says something very important 2) It, no doubt, speaks the modern teen/post-teen language

I immediately thought of Zuckerberg's quote as I read the article about Girouard and got to the part where she was paid $3,000 a year for her first college coaching job and used her dad's pickup to drag the field. It's very hard for me to believe that when Coach was drawing that check and dragging that field, that she could see hundreds of televised games, multi-million dollar facilities, and legitimate national and worldwide celebrities in the sport of fastpitch softball. How many times was Coach Girouard told, and maybe even thought herself',"You know eventually you're going to have to get a real job."

But it's people like Yvette Girouard that stand as the cornerstones for everything that amounted to anything in our society today.

The idea for us 4 years ago was to have one of the most competitive Junior Olympic Fastpitch Organizations in the East, have a modest size place for those players to train and practice, and that place also allow our coaches the opportunity to provide Softball Skills Instruction. Doesn't that sound like a blast?...and a ridiculous idea for a job?

So here we are, we're just, like, doing something we really like and being passionate about it. I wonder if Coach Girouard would echo those same sentiments?

-Jeremy Higdon

UPCOMING EVENTS

Beginners Softball Skills Clinics:
10AM-12PM
$15

Defense: Saturday March 26.

This link will take you to a printable Registration Form.

Summer Softball Camp love. laugh. softball. dates have been set...
Mon, June 6 - Wed, June 8.
Follow this link for more information and online registration.

Rock on...

Jessica Brown, alum of Northwest HS, now playing for Rhodes College, hit her first collegiate homerun!!

Fury Alum and University of Tennessee's Kat Dotson was SEC Player of the Week for March 6-12.

Courtnee Hall was inducted into the Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame. We are so proud of Court.

Halie Williamson hit her first high school homerun in her first high school game...as an 8th grader!!!

Kasey Headrick verbally committed to Peidmont College.

Allison Meadows made the middle school team at Siverdale.

Allie Baker, Ringgold High School, signed a letter of intent to play softall at Chattanooga State Technical Community College.

Rachel Hargis has worked her way into an essential spot in Red Bank High School's starting lineup.

May I Have Your Attention Please....

2011-02-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

Jill and I work quite a few camps and clinics throughout the course of a year. Some on college campuses, for college softball programs, some that we host at Fury Academy. It never fails that one of the things I always hear Jill ask at least one hitter during a camp or clinic is,"Do you take lessons?" or "Who is your hitting coach?"

Unprepared

Giving that there is almost always an exception to the rule...A "trained" athlete looks different from an "untrained" athlete. Ever heard the word "raw" used to describe a player in any sport? Usually, these uncooked athletes have had little, to no, formal training at their craft.

In the game of fastpitch softball, a pitcher without a regular pitching instructor is less common than a uniform with shorts. But for hitters, though the trend is changing, many good ones make their way through the ranks of high school and travel ball with little, to no, formal instruction.

For the purposes of this discussion, the 2nd definition of "raw" at http://www.dictionary.com/, "not having undergone the process of preparing", hits the core of why this word is so commonly used.

TOTALLY prepared

There are some very important advantages that a player of any kind, with a good instructor, has that you may not have ever really thought about -

#1 - To some degree, an instructor teaches people their craft for a living. For some instructors, it is their primary source of income, like Jill and I, and for others it is at least a secondary source of income. You can almost always expect a higher quality of work, more attention detail, and a real interest in producing results, when there's income involved.

#2 - Good instructors are surrounded by other instructors at a facility, work camps and clinics, and are just generally exposed to other people teaching the same thing they are teaching, and many times in a different way. At Fury, alot of our instructors have worked camps with, and therefore gotten to "talk shop" with the top minds in our sport. I have been to lots of camps as somewhat of a spectator or participant, and been "taught". There is NO COMPARISON to working WITH and alongside these coaches and instructors. It is a totally different learning experience.

#3 - The most important advantage, I think, is the number of players at all different levels that a good instructor has worked with. We've taught the same concepts a THOUSAND different ways to get it across to a THOUSAND different kids. We've seen the problem your son or daughter, or player, is having before, and we've probably made the correction. That's a perspective that a player's parent, and many times, coach does not have.

We've got a fantastic group of instructors that love to learn and love to teach. Below is a brief introduction:

Jill Higdon has been coaching and working with hitters for over 10 years. Highly decorated State Championship High School coach. Has coached 3 16U and 18 Gold ASA qualifying teams, and seen over 50 of her players and students go on to play college softball. Jill was a highly decorated collegiate All American player that has competed internationally, as well as, in the 2001 Women's College World Series.

Jeremy Higdon has been coaching and working with fastpitch pitchers for over 7 years. Jeremy and Jill have spent most of their coaching careers coaching together at the High School and ASA Junior Olympic levels. Jeremy has coached over 20 pitchers that have gone on to pitch at the collegiate level, including High School All Americans, Collegiate All Americans, numerous State Championships, and Women's College World Series participants.

Blaes Schmissrauter has been coaching at the High School and ASA Junior Olympic level for over 6 years. Blaes works with hitters, but specializing in the speed game with left-handed slappers. Blaes has over 10 former slappers that are now playing at the collegiate level. Blaes started over 150 games at the Division 1 level as a slapper and outfielder.

Tony Boyd has been working with hitters for over 20 years and coaching ASA Junior Olympic softball for over 10 years. From the 10U level all the way to 18U Gold Nationals, Tony's teams have qualified for ASA Nationals every year and he can boast several Top 10 finishes.

Brittney Walker has been working with hitters and pitchers for over 5 years and coaching collegiately or at the ASA Junior Olympic level for 3 years. Brittney spent time on staff at Armstrong Atlantic University, where her pitching staff finished with the top ERA in the conference. As a player, Brittney was an NCAA Division II First Team All American. Brittney led her team at the plate and in the circle.

Ashley Boyd just recently completed her collegiate career, where she pitched at East Tennessee State and Carson Newman Universities. Ashley was a highly decorated State Championship prep player, as a hitter and pitcher. She received All State honors several times.

Maddie Schmissrauter just recently completed her collegiate career as a pitcher at Tennessee Tech University. Maddie had a successful collegiate career and was also a highly decorated prep player, winning multiple State Championships and being awarded All State honors numerous times.

Greg Grall

Chris Richardson has been coaching baseball and working with hitters and catcher for over 20 years. Chris is one of the most respected and highly regarded High School baseball coaches in Tennessee. Chris has had a tremendous amount of former players go on to play collegiately or professionally.

-Jeremy Higdon

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cage Matches Friday Feb 18. 14U 6-730. 16/18U 730-8.

Dick's Shop Day for Fury Players and Students Saturday, Feb 19 10AM-2PM. 15% off entire purchase.

Beginners Softball Skills Clinics: All Clinics are 10AM-12PM and cost is $15.

Pitching Saturday Feb 26 (Fury North)

Hitting Saturday March 12

Defense Saturday March 26.

This link will take you to a printable Registration Form.

Rock on...

Carolina Davis won her 4-H event at school. She was determined to be number one after last year's runner-up finish.

Bri Shoemake, Carson Newman, former Fury player, is Player of the Week in the SSAC last week! Follow this link to the article.

Congratulations to Fury 2000 - Kamrie and Maddie who play basketball for Big Ridge Elementary - Bringing home the Championship and lots of hardware to boot! Way to go girls!

Thanks for your support...

2011-02-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

Kat Dotson, Jill Higdon, and Jessica Mendoza

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

The above quote from Marianne Williamson was how our 2011 Fury Banquet started this past Friday night. The banquet ended with a speech from, Olympic Gold Medalist and ESPN personality, Jessica Mendoza, who many people consider the top fastpitch hitter in the world today....and so it was fitting that she also held 2 hitting clinics on Saturday at Fury Academy.

In addition to Jessica, Chattanoga Head Softball Coach Frank Reed spoke to our players at the banquet, and we honored former player, Kat Dotson, for being Fury's first ever Division 1 All American.

Mendoza Hitting at Fury

Kat did not speak to our audience, instead we showed a slideshow of her softball journey to becoming an All American and read quotes from her current Lady Vols teammates about what Kat means to them. It was quote after quote about how humble Kat is, how great a teammate she is, and how the way Kat plays and conducts herself affects the people around her.

Kat was interviewed and quoted in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, echoing a sentiment that both Coach Reed and Jessica Mendoza made a point to highlight - "Be Thankful", "Be Grateful...to the people that support you..."

Kat said, "In the last year I started to realize how much my mom has done for me throughout the years..."

So, Jill and I are 31 years old, we have a 5 year old named Crawford (Jill's maiden name), and we run a fastpitch club organization with 9 teams, over 100 players, their over 200 parents, and a business that serves over 250 students every week, over 1,000 students a month. Believe me when I say that we have a "support staff" that makes this all possible. My parents both live less than 5 minutes from us and they are IN-CREDIBLE. Jill's parents, that live 10 hours away are, surprisingly, a huge part of our "support staff" as well. We have Gram, GiGi, Aunt Kellie, Uncle Tony, Bea Bea, Julie....Seriously. We need all these people. And that's our personal lives.

I'm not at all hesitant to say that one of the things they provide for us is a chance to have a social life in what can seem like a whirlwind sometimes......

Then there's the Fury Fastpitch Organization that is full of these dedicated parents that focus so much of their dedication on our Organization and Academy. This is not just our coaches, who go above and beyond so often, but moms, dads, sisters, brothers, grandparents....Seriously. We need all these people.

So, we teach our players and students to be driven, motivated, dedicated, confident, and independent. We believe that all of these things are valuable traits, and can lead to success in all different parts of life, but what our special guests reminded me is that we have to be conscious of a balance in mentality. What Coach Reed, Jessica, and Kat all pointed out is that we HAVE to take the time to acknowledge the people around us, that support us, and make it possible to pursue the things we want in life.

In order for our players and students to succeed at school, in multiple sports, and also have some kind of social life, they all have a "support staff" like ours.

Jessica Mendoza asked at the banquet and again the clinics for anyone that paid their own team fees or their own way into the clinc to raise their hand.....we're waiting....no one raised their hand.

If it's hard for you to see all the people around you that make your life possible...look at your peers (your teammates, your friends) and identify their "support staff"- mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, family friend, grandparents....It's likely you'll realize who your own staff is.

So, yes, thank these people as often as possible, but have a consistent awareness that you're not pulling this off by yourself.

Jeremy Higdon

Upcoming Events

14U Cage Matches Friday, Feb 4, 6-730PM

16/18U Cage Matches Friday, Feb 4, 730-9PM

10U Cage Matches Friday, Feb 11, 6-730PM

12U Cage Matches Friday, Feb 11, 6-730PM

Live Game Prep Workshop for Hitters and Pitchers starting Feb 21st. Call 423-401-FURY for details.

Student of the Month - January 2011

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Allie Baker

Allie Baker, of Ringgold High School, has been hitting with me for almost 2 years. I don't think she has ever missed a lesson. She came to me as a slapper and has developed her hitting game, making her an all-around offensive player.

Recently, Allie committed to play at Chattanooga State with hopes of being recruited to a Division I program after her two years there. Allie is my kind of kid. She works hard without anyone having to tell her to do it. She takes her schoolwork seriously, holds a job in the afternoons, and still finds time to work consistently on her softball game.

If you walk into the academy while Allie is there, you will hear a lot of talk--she loves to talk, and she loves to talk about softball. Her excitement for this game is contagious. As the only senior on her high school team this past fall, Allie lead the underrated Tiger's to the third round of state; her dedication to the game and to her teammates allowed her leadership skills to shine.

Allie is January's player of the month because she "gets" softball: she loves it, she respects it, and, to her, its still a game that reaches far beyond the chalk lines.

-Coach Blaes Schmissrauter

Back To Reality....

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So, of course, the holiday season offers alot of time off, great times with family, excuses to eat whatever and as much as we want. And if you live anywhere from New York to East Texas, you experienced at least 3 days, some of us 6 days, of a "snow break". One of our instructors, who is also a teacher in Atlanta, said she has been to school one day since the middle of December. So here we are, the middle of January, and I think we're all ready to get "Back to Reality".

All the breaks from our normal routine, expected and unexpected, really got me thinking about perspective and priority. How do I view the experiences and people in my life? Where do I place the most importance? How and when does that change? How do my priorities affect my perspective?

I'm not a big "New Year's Resolution" guy, but the beginning of this year, after all the distractions and disruptions of the last month, is a great time to challenge yourself with the following concepts:

1) What do you REALLY want out of the next year? (Make a list...it shouldn't be one thing)
Be honest about what you really want, not what other people want you to want. And be realistic about who you are and where you are.
2) Evaluate your answers to Question #1. Now put them in order of importance based on the amount of time and effort you're going to devote to each...this is setting priorities. There's nothing wrong with one of the things on your list being "Find a boyfriend" as long as it's in the right place as you prioritize.

At Fury Academy we train lots of different types of athletes from 7 years old to 20 years old. The fact that they come to Fury to train means they want to be better at Softball or Baseball. So I would expect "Get better at Softball or Baseball" to be on all of our students' lists. But when we start to prioritize those lists, I will guarantee a wide range of where that falls (if you're being honest), and I think that's great.

As someone that has chosen to devote my entire professional life to teaching and coaching fastpitch softball, some of my favorite players and students are the athletes that would NEVER put "Get better at softball" at the top of their list.

Hard work and the accomplishment that comes with it, is one of the most important pieces to high self esteem and confidence. With that said, it's important that your hard work is focused. Prioritizing is a great first step in channeling all your hard work toward your goals.

Jeremy Higdon

Lisa Fernandez came to town....

An amazing weekend with the greatest fastpitch player to ever play the game

Cage Matches were a HUGE Success!!
More to come. Fridays this winter....

Friday Night, January 21st
6:00 pm   10U
7:30 pm   12U

Friday Night, February 4th
6:00 pm   14U
7:30 pm   16U/18U

What's Coming Up at Fury...

LIVE Game Prep Workshop

Hitting Instruction....Meets Live At Bats....Meets Pitching Instruction

4 week workshop. One hour per week. We combine Live At Bats and Instruction to bring you a unique learning experience.

Email Jeremy at jhigdon2003@yahoo.com or Jill at jcrawfordh@gmail.com

Jessica Mendoza Clinic

January 29th, Olympian Jessica Mendoza, will be at Fury Academy for a Beginners and Advanced Clinic. For registration and payment go to http://www.fury96.org/

Student of the Month

Coming Soon....