DAPHNE, Ala.—Young softball players interested in becoming part of a new travel-ball program with professional coaching— while possibly developing a future resume for college recruiters—will have a unique opportunity Dec. 14.

That’s when Southern Spirit Softball will hold special tryouts for 10u (ages 10 and under), 12u and 14u teams.

Organizer Coby Mackin said the newly formed non-profit format will allow the program to hold fundraising events and develop scholarship and aid packages to promising athletes who may not otherwise be able to afford professional athletic training and related support.

Some players may also benefit from financial aid to attend softball camps directed by college head and position coaches as well as the experience of playing in additional sanctioned tournaments that also serve as scouting opportunities for recruiters.

“This is something that’s never been done before in this area,” Mackin said. “There is so much talent in this area, but players are not getting as many opportunities as girls in other parts of the country, due to lack of solid fundamentals. Proper training is really important if a girl wants to excel and compete for college scholarships. Southern Spirit is a non-profit organization that provides elite level training to young athletes no matter what their abilities or financial situations might be.”

Mackin is a former head coach at Spring Hill College and founded the Badgers women’s program there in 1997. She also played at the University of Mobile where she was an All-American out-fielder and later coached at UM.  She became known as a pitching specialist when she went to the University of South Alabama as the Jaguar’s pitching coach for head coach Becky Clark. Clark will also be a volunteer coach for the 12u team for Southern Spirit in 2014.

“We’re excited that coach Clark can join us in the summer after South’s (2014) season is over,” Mackin said. “She really loves working with the younger players, too. And we both know know how important it is to develop solid fundamentals as early as possible. Our players will learn to compete to get on our rosters, and then compete to get on the field. Learning to succeed under pressure like that will be a big key to their future success. We would really like to see more local girls playing (in college) like Peyton Grantham who’s at Alabama or Farish Beard at South."

Clark has led the Jaguars to national powerhouse status in a few short years—most recently finishing with a #11 national ranking in 2013. Now she is looking forward to working with younger athletes as well. 

“Our sport provides great opportunities for athletes to grow and excel,” Clark said.  ”I am excited to be able to work with young athletes to help them develop and compete for those opportunities.”  

Depending on age, Southern Spirit Softball Tryouts for 2014 teams start at 9 a.m. or later on Dec. 14 at The Fieldhouse training facility in Daphne. There is an administration fee of $10.

For more information and directions visit the website:

TrainAtTheFieldhouse.com or phone 251-626-0190.

Mackin said the first official fundraising event for Southern Spirit Softball sponsored by The Fieldhouse will be a Color Me Jubilee 5K and 1-mile fun run near the facility in Daphne on Jan. 4. Runners will be blasted with colored corn starch as they race through the course. Money raised will benefit local city leagues and players who want to compete on travel ball teams that may not have the financial means without assistance. The 5k race is certified and timed. 

Phone or visit The Fieldhouse website for registration or more event details or register online at: http://colormejubilee5k.eventbrite.com

“It’s going to be a lot of fun and we hope to make it an annual event,” Mackin said.