ROSTER | Let's introduce the 2024-25 14U Red Storm DeSanto roster:

• #10 | Faith Butler
• #22 | Aleah Dangler
• #1 | Marianne DeSanto
• #3 | McKenna Dillman
• #33 | Lily Layman
• #24 | Chloe Migliore
• #25 | Allison Miller
• #23 | Rosie Minges
• #11 | Kennadi Robinson
• #4 | Victoria Rodarte
• #42 | Lily Sheler
• #17 | Riley Sheler
• #44 | Marleigh Thompson

 

ROSTER FOCUS | When constructing the 2025 14U Full-Time Travel Red Storm team, we will be leveraging a deep, versatile core of existing roster players. For the remaining spots -- projected to be a minimum of two openings and possibly more -- the team is seeking a blend of experience, discipline, work ethic, sportsmanship, mental toughness and teamwork. Each and every player will demonstrate these traits on and off the field. Most notably, we are prioritizing additional players in the areas of catching, pitching and outfield play to support a top-notch defense-first mentality. Offensively, we will feature a lineup that blends power hitters with contact hitters while leveraging speed on the bases, and are seeking either dependable contact hitters or game-changing power hitters.

 

SCHEDULE SNAPSHOT | The 14U-B Oaklandon Red Storm squad is focused on bringing consistent coaching, a competitive experience, more focused development and higher-level of play to a team of travel ballplayers. The Red Storm squad will provide a balanced environment where team members can also pursue other sports and interests, especially in the offseason. A preliminary schedule for the season includes:

• July | Team Formed
• August to October | Weekly practice(s), seven tournaments (mostly one day tournaments)
• November to December | Minimal Activity, individual lessons encouraged
• January to March | Indoor workout sessions weekly (location tba) and 3-4 indoor tournaments
• March to Mid-May | Seek to find a team merger for all non-high-school players and participate in several tournaments
• Mid-May to Late July | Outdoor practices and 6-7 tournaments
• Late July | Season concludes

 

TOURNAMENT LINEUP | The 14U-B Oaklandon Red Storm has a tentative tournament lineup as follows:

FALL (7 tournaments)

• August 24 | Kickoff Classic | Shelbyville ($385)
• September 20-22 | Fall State | Columbus ($415)
• September 28 | Fall Brawl I | Fishers ($715)
• October 6 | Fall Brawl II | Fishers ($540)
• October 12-13 | Breast Cancer Awareness | Columbus ($425)
• October 18-20 | Howl at the Moon | Center Grove ($425)
• October 26 | Pumpkin Bash | Fishers ($688)

WINTER (4 tournaments)

• January 18-19 | Indoor Tournament | TBA
• February 1-2 | Indoor Tournament | TBA
• February 15-16 | Indoor Tournament | TBA
• March 1-2 (or 8-9) | Indoor Tournament (or Outdoor Tournament) | TBA

SPRING (3-4 tournments)

• Mid-March to Mid-May | We will attempt to combine all players not on a high school roster with another team and play in select tournaments (fees for these tournaments will be collected as we go)

SUMMER (7 tournaments)

• May 31-June 1 | Tournament | TBA
• June 7-8 | Tournamernt | TBA
• June 14-15 | Tournamernt | TBA
• June 21-22 | Tournamernt | TBA
• June 28-29 | Tournamernt | TBA
• July 12-13 | Tournamernt | TBA
• July 19-20 | Tournamernt | TBA

 

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND PLAYER ROTATIONS | The offseason workouts, endurance conditioning and early season practices will be fundamentals driven. We will adopt and teach singular approaches to key skills, such as hitting, fielding, throwing, baserunning and more. We will offer more flexibility with pitching to accommodate those who are working with pitching coaches to not impact that development or investment. During the Red Storm practices, we will ask all players to learn and become acclimated at multiple positions to build a strong depth chart. As we enter the tournament season, a more structured line-up will be used and tweaked only as needed. Player rotations will occur regularly in alliance gamed and scrimmages, but on a more limited scale during tournaments.

 

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS | The 14U-B Oaklandon Red Storm believes consistent participation in practices and games is integral to the development of our softball players, a collaborative and supportive culture and the overall experience of our team and program. We also believe participation in other sports positively contributes to the long-term development of our players. So this is a continuous balancing and juggling act.

Please understand attendance is expected for all practices, games and tournaments. It is part of the commitment your player and family is making to their teammates and coaches when accepting to join the 14U-B Oaklandon Red Storm Team.

That said, we also acknowledge 100% attendance at all Red Storm events is nearly possible for this diversely talented and engaged group of lady ballplayers over the course of the season. So, the expectation is players will make every effort to honor their commitment to their team within reason. However, missed practices and games will be taken into consideration in each and every line-up strategy. And it is important to note, the team's head coach does not traditionally alter batting line-ups once a tournament begins in order to keep continuity and set consistent expectations for each game within the tournament.

Legitimate absences include illness, injury, school-sanctioned sporting events, participation in mandatory school and religious activities . Players with an ongoing commitment outside of softball that may affect their attendance (particularly another sport) should consult with the head coach and be cognizant numerous conflicts can impact offensive and defensive assignments/playing time.

 

TEAM SELECTION PROCESS | Open and individual tryouts will be conducted through Tuesday, July 23. The team will then make selections for all available roster openings by Thursday, July 25, if possible. Depending on the tryout participation level, the head coach may call each family individually or email all families regarding the results of the tryout. Any player offered will be expected to complete the Player Agreement (sample provided) and provide an initial payment of $300 within 48 hours of receiving the offer to join the 2024-25 FTT Red Storm DeSanto squad.

 

TEAM EXPENSES | The full breakdown of expenses for all players and new players is broken down below.

ALL PLAYERS EXPENSE	DETAILS	COST
Uniforms & Practice Jerseys	$350 each	$4,200
Fall Tourneys (x7)	$425 each	$2,975
Fall Tourneys Gate Fees (x2)	$250 each	$ 500
Winter Tourneys (x4)	$500 each	$2,000
Spring Tournaments (x7)	$450 each	$3,150
OYO Administrative Fee	Annual Payment	$ 900
Umpire Fees (10 games)	$30 per game	$ 300
Equipment & Training Aids	Team Needs	$ 500
Softballs (2 doz)	$60/dozen	$ 120
Team Banner	1 Banner	$ 100
Team Photography | Professional Shoot	November	$ 250
Team Photography	Multiple Games	$ 250
Misc/Social	$50/player	$ 600
USSSA Registration Fees	Administrative	$ 200
Indoor Facility Rental	Plans TBA	$ TBA
TOTAL		$16,045

NEW PLAYERS EXPENSE	DETAILS	COST
Bat Bag	Custom Bag w/ Name, Number	$175
Helmet	Helmet with logo and number	$ 75
Misc. Supplies	Wristbands, Accessories	$ 50
TOTAL		$300

 

TEAM FEES | A preliminary estimate for individual player fee responsibility is $1,800 before any deductions resulting from successful fundraising and sponsorship recruitment efforts.

If the fee remains at $1800, then each family will need to make a $300 initial payment (cash/check) within 48 hours of accepting the team offer to secure their roster spot. Then each family is responsible for making payments and/or raising funds adhering to the following progressive scale according to the dates listed:

• October 15, 2024 | $800 in fees/revenue
• January 15, 2025 | $1300 in fees/revenue
• March 15, 2025 | $1800 in fees/revenue

This will be managed by the team’s Financial Manager.

 

ABOUT HEAD COACH | Michael DeSanto has been a mainstay on the travel circuit for baseball and softball for more than 15 years. As the team's head coach, Michael's primary focus will involve player development, practice plans, game day lineups, ongoing communication with all families and providing a safe and fun environment for our softball players. Also a member of the OYO Board of Directors, he volunteers his time to help support all facets of the league's recreational and travel programs. Michael has been coaching baseball and softball teams since 2001.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION | Michael DeSanto, the 14U-B FTT Red Storm head coach, can be contacted at mdesanto317@gmail.com.