Steve Grimsley, coach of the 14-and under Hollister Heat ‘A’
travel softball team, has dubbed this summer season a success.
Steve Grimsley, coach of the 14-and under Hollister Heat ‘A’ travel softball team, has dubbed this summer season a success. The Heat A’s placed seventh at the national qualifier in Fairfield June 20-22 with a record of 4-2.
“We lost to a team on Friday we shouldn’t have,” said Grimsley, who coached the Hollister High freshman team this past spring. “We played our worst game of the season in that game. But, we made it to Sunday. There were 24 teams in the tournament and we finished in the top quarter. I’d call it a success.”
By placing seventh, the Hollister Heat ‘A’ traveling team qualified for the NSA Western World Series, which will be staged in Modesto July 19-27.
This weekend, they are obligated to play in the State Championships in Sacramento.
“Everyone going to the Western’s have to play in the state championships,” said Grimsley, who estimates his club is 15-12 on the season.
The Heat A’s have just two pitchers – Sam Filice and Jordan Lee.
“They’ve done incredibly well, considering how much we have asked of them,” said Grimsley. “If they get tired in the late innings, we just back up the outfield.”
Playing ‘A’ is a step up in recent years for Grimsley, who has played ‘B’ girls fastpitch.
“It’s a big difference,” said Grimsley. “We filled in at a ‘B’ tournament here in Hollister and no one came close to us. The difference is not only in the pitching, it’s in the hitting.”
