Firecrackers GA Ross 2033

We're excited to welcome Isabella Hastman ( #27) to the team.

A versatile MIF / P / UT, Isabella plays with heart, hustle, and a high softball IQ. She has outstanding situational awareness, a relentless motor, and brings contagious joy to every practice and game. Ask anyone who has coached or played alongside her, and they'll tell you the same thing. She's a hardworking teammate who makes the players around her better.

At just 9 years old, Isabella was the youngest player on her middle school team last season, where she quickly proved she belonged. She embraced every opportunity, pitching and contributing all over the field. This spring, she challenged herself by competing at the 12U level as a middle infielder. This season, she's excited to add slap hitting to her game as she continues to grow.

Away from softball, Isabella enjoys competing in PPA Juniors pickleball, running middle school cross country, spending time with friends, shopping, and loving on animals. Her favorite color is pink, worship music is always on her playlist, and one day she hopes to wear the orange and white for the University of Tennessee.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

Welcome, Isabella. We can't wait to watch you continue to grow.

We're excited to welcome Bailey Lahl ( #8) to the team!

Bailey joins us as a Pitcher, 1B, and OF, bringing an intentional approach, a competitive spirit, and a high softball IQ.

What stands out most about Bailey is her love for the game. She embraces coaching, asks great questions, and is always looking for ways to improve. She's the kind of teammate who makes everyone around her better.

Away from the field, Bailey loves country music, Jesus, nature, animals, and anything that squishes.

Her approach to the game has produced some impressive results. Last season, Bailey posted a 63% strike rate, an 86% weak contact rate, and a 1.000 fielding percentage.

When we asked Bailey what she wanted everyone to know, she kept it simple:

"First things first, have fun WHILE winning."

LET'S GO!

Firecrackers GA 2033 is moving to 12U this fall and has a limited number of roster openings.

We're holding a private tryout for 2033 Grad year players who are looking for a competitive team where they'll be challenged, supported, and developed.

While we're not recruiting for specific positions, catchers and middle infielders are a plus.

Private Tryout

Tuesday, July 14
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Sandy Plains Field 2

Register here:
https://forms.gle/M8t8uzHv6yEjsysn7

We're excited to welcome Cameron Orebaugh to the team!

Cameron is a versatile athlete who will contribute in the outfield and behind the plate. She's a hardworking, coachable player who brings positive energy to every practice and game. She believes that being a great teammate is just as important as making a great play, and that mindset fits exactly what we're looking for.

Last season, Cameron helped her team earn a berth in the PGF Select Softball Championships and a fourth-place finish at the USSSA Space Coast World Series. She also finished the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Beyond softball, Cameron loves reptiles and amphibians, her favorite meal is spaghetti, and teal is her favorite color.

We're excited to watch Cameron continue to grow and can't wait to see the impact she'll have on and off the field.

We're excited to welcome Coach Cydni Orebaugh to our coaching staff!

Coach Cydni brings an outstanding combination of playing experience, coaching experience, and a genuine passion for developing young athletes.

She played softball for 13 years, including five years of competitive travel ball and two seasons with the EC Bullets. She was a four-year varsity player at Cherokee High School, earning All-County honors as both a junior and senior, and was also an All-State sprinter in track.

Over the past six years, Cydni has coached players from 8U through 12U, serving as Head Coach of Georgia Thunder 8U and as an assistant coach with EC Bullets/Orebaugh, Athletics Gold Tamborra Bush 2033, and Cherokee Warriors Metro.

Cydni believes in building confident athletes who continue to grow as teammates and individuals. She creates a competitive environment where players are encouraged to work hard, support one another, and enjoy the game. That aligns perfectly with the culture we're working to build.

I'm excited to have Coach Cydni alongside us this season and know she'll make an immediate impact on our players, both on and off the field.

Last one. Best one.

We wrapped up our last 10U season this past weekend.

This wasn't the easiest season.

There were moments when things didn't click. We lost games in ways we didn't think possible. Confidence wavered at times. We dealt with injuries, welcomed new teammates late in the season, and had every reason to let frustration creep in.

But these girls never quit.

Little by little, they learned to trust each other. And as coaches, we stopped worrying so much about the scoreboard and started focusing on helping them get 1% better every time they stepped on the field.

Something changed.

They played looser. They played tougher. They started believing in themselves and in each other.

And somewhere along the way, they became a team.

This past weekend, they faced good competition, took a few lumps, and kept fighting their way forward. Holland threw a no-hitter in the championship game. The offense erupted for 11 runs. Everyone contributed.

A special thank you to Melissa and Lani for joining us for this tournament. Stepping into a new team environment isn't always easy, but both girls fit right in. Melissa showed incredible toughness after taking a hot shot off the leg, and we are grateful for everything they brought to this weekend.

But the ring isn't what we'll remember most.

We'll remember the dugout energy. The hugs after big plays. The girls picking each other up after mistakes.

We'll remember a group of 10 and 11-year-olds learning that adversity doesn't have to divide you. Sometimes it becomes the very thing that brings you together.

As coaches, that's the win we're most proud of.

As we turn the page to the next chapter, we're excited about what's ahead and can't wait to share more soon.

But before we do, we just want to say thank you to this team.

For the fight.

For the memories.

For reminding us that when everyone pulls in the same direction, amazing things can happen.

What a way to end 10U.

Proud of our girls. Always.

Happy Birthday to #24, Kam!

If you see a player with untied shoes making a great play at third base, shortstop, or in the circle, there's a pretty good chance it's Kam.

Kamryn has a knack for coming through with the big hit or making the play that leaves everyone shaking their heads and smiling.

Off the field, she's just as memorable. She loves Needohs, has a smile that can light up a field, and a laugh that's hard not to join in on.

She's also one of the most genuine people you'll meet. Kam will tell you exactly what she thinks, and if you've earned a place in her circle, you know that means something.

We're lucky to have her as part of our Firecrackers family and can't wait to see what this next year brings.

Happy Birthday, Kam! Hope your day is filled with laughter, smiles, and maybe a few new Needohs.

This season has felt like a tale of two teams.

There is the team we see in practice. Crisp. Active. Vocal. Confident.

Then there is the team that has shown up at some tournaments. A little tighter. A little quieter. A little more tentative.

Our challenge all season has been finding a way to bring the practice team to game day, because when that team shows up, good things happen.

Yesterday started the same way. We came out tense, quiet, and tentative and dropped our first two games.

Then, after a one-game break, something changed.

The practice team showed up.

Pitchers attacked the zone. Defenders made the routine outs. Hitters battled every at-bat and put the ball in play. Most importantly, the girls relaxed, had fun, and played the game together.

The results weren’t the story.

Seeing them trust themselves, trust each other, and play the way we know they’re capable of playing was.

It was a long time coming.

Back to work this week.

1% Better.

We've officially entered June, which means we're heading into the home stretch of our season.

We were originally scheduled to be off this weekend, but after last weekend's rainout, the girls wanted to play. That's an easy request to say yes to.

Three tournaments left. Let's get after it.

Final open practice tomorrow night.

Huge thank you to every player and family who’s come out over the last few weeks. We’ve had a great turnout, a lot of really strong players on the field, and we’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to meet so many great families.

Opening up practice has always felt like the best way to get a real look at players and let families get a real feel for our team. This group has made these workouts a lot of fun.

Looking forward to finishing strong tomorrow night.

If anyone else is interested in joining us, there’s still time to register and come out. We’d love to see you there.

https://forms.gle/PEGHhepxUfECS8Uq5