One thing you can say about Derek and Joanne Allister?they know how to throw a great party.
Once again, the National Futures Camp held in Walnut, Calif. two weeks ago and organized by the husband and wife tandem was a big success based on opinions from players and coaches.
Derek says there were four keys to the success of the party... uh, camp.
"First, the Mt. SAC (San Antonio College) venue was superb," he began. "They have a beautiful complex worthy of a major four year university.
Secondly, the weather was perfect. The early week rains cleared out, the sun shined and the wind stayed down. It was really a great two days for softball.
Third, the group of players played extremely well. We had a number of real surprises, and several nationally-known players cemented their reputations.
Finally, the college coach turnout was unbelievable. We had 51 Division 1 coaches in attendance representing 48 different schools. All the major conferences were represented: the Pac-10, the SEC, the Big 12, the Big 10, the ACC, the Big East, Conference USA, the Big West, the Mountain West, the WAC, the Sun Belt, the Missouri Valley, the Pacific Coast, the MAC, and the Mid-Continent, along with several independents. We also had several other Division II, Division III and NAIA coaches turn out, making it very impressive.
Needless to say, the event was a huge hit and we are extremely grateful to the college coaches who continue to believe and support our endeavors to help these athletes realize their dreams.
Without the tremendous support of these coaches, we could never make this a reality. This concept has come a long way since its inception in Las Vegas three years ago. We hope we will continue to be able to connect college coaches with such outstanding players in this way for years to come."
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Based on discussions with key scouts and coaches, here are some of the highlights of players who stood out...
In the 2009 class, Jessica Shults, Megan Harvey, Emily Allard, Mikey Kenney, Allison Kutz and JC Clayton made big moves up and now appear to be national level recruits.
Jenna Rich, Destiny Rodino and Jerrin Faasua cemented their status as big-time players and elite members of this class.
In the class of 2010, Courtney Ceo, Morghan Doughty, Madison Shipman and Nicole Morgan broke through in a big way.
In fact, several college coaches in attendance felt that the athletic SS Courtney Ceo and the intriguing, but unknown SS Madison Shipman were two of the best prospects in the entire camp.
Ceo is a high level athlete with superb defensive skills and a bat to match. Shipman is a tall and lanky athlete with all sorts of potential. Both will soon be elite players in this class.
Tatum and Taylor Edwards, along with Laura Winter, Whitney Jones, Alex Robben and Pauline Monreal continued their ascension to the top of the 2010 class.
Of great interest to all who came to the camp was the outstanding potential displayed by the group of 2011's. Ally Carda, Nyree White, Breana Kostreba, Cheyenne Cordes and Stephany La Rosa were all rated by most in attendance to be some of the finest players in the camp. Amber Freeman, Hallie Wilson, Cheyenne Tarango, Jamie Sullivan and Amber Morrow weren't far behind.
Logan Spaw, Tylyn Wells, Maria Sio and Danielle Henderson all showed flashes of brilliance. The camp was buzzing with excitement over the all-around skills, strength, power and athleticism of this high level group.
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Here is a list of the players who participated from each class:
2009 Players Emily Allard Sorcerers Gabby Aragon SoCal Athletics Melissa Brown Choppers Raven Chavanne Batbusters JC Clayton Salinas Wildcats Ashley Collier Choppers Samantha Dodd Cruisers Jaquilyn Edwards Corona Angels Jerrin Faasua The Next Level Ensley Gammel Firecrackers Megan Harvey Eugene Thunder Kayla Howard Corona Angels Patrice Jackson Kansas City White Sox Mikey Kenney Colorado Comets Baillie Kirker Firecrackers Allison Kutz WA Lake Breeze Rebecca Patton Firecrackers Julia Pecina SoCal Wicked Dana Perez Firecrackers Jenna Rich Cruisers Destiny Rodino Choppers Jessica Shults Firecrackers Alex Skinkis Firecrackers Trista Thomas Desert Thunder
2010 Players Naomi Amu The Next Level Morgan Barnes OR Legacy Rebekah Cantillo Corona Angels Courtney Ceo All American Sports Acad. Erica Cipolloni NJ Breakers Cassidy Coleman The Next Level Ashley Decker Sorcerers Morghan Doughty Desert Thunder Tatum Edwards Corona Angels Taylor Edwards Corona Angels Leesa Gresham Fresno Force Jessica Hall Corona Angels Karlyn Jones Sorcerers Victoria Jones The Next Level Whitney Jones Corona Angels Faith Koria SD Legacy Micherie Koria SD Legacy CeCe Luster Cruisers Destineee Martinez Corona Angels Pauline Monreal Batbusters Nicole Morgan Impact Gold (TX) Hayley Miles Lady Magic Alex Robben Sorcerers Karli Sandoval Corona Angels Madison Shipman Choppers Laura Winter The Next Level
2011 Players Ally Carda Lady Magic Cheyenne Cordes Lady Magic Amber Freeman Batbusters Danielle Henderson Lady Magic Breana Kostreba Sorcerers Stephany La Rosa Corona Angels Amber Morrow Absolute Blast Maria Sio Firecrackers Logan Spaw KC Zephyers Jamie Sullivan Firecrackers Cheyenne Tarango Firecrackers Tylyn Wells AA Sports Academy Nyree White Eugene Thunder Hallie Wilson Firecrackers