Gonzagas' shortstop Tiffany Brooks waits for the ball to apply the tag on the sliding Jessica Slater of Walla Walla College. Marble Jones photo.

In the last issue of Softball West, contributor Russell Vera outlined the long trek and rise of Walla Walla College’s Fastpitch team from the ranks of College "Club" ball to a Varsity sport at their school. What even the most avid softball fan may not know, however, is the depth and scope of Collegiate Club Fastpitch Softball not only at universities throughout the country, but in the Pacific Northwest where the level of competition and caliber of play is high but the personal and financial commitment of the players is even higher.

Softball players and aficionados from around the country watch with great interest the Women’s College World Series each year. Most Northwest fans would recognize the big Division I teams like Arizona, UCLA, Washington, California and this year, Michigan. Truly informed fans might even be able to name a few Division II or III teams. Okay, now for a little test: In what Division do USC, UNC, Ohio State, Penn State, Colorado, Clemson, Bowling Green, Gonzaga University (of NCAA Basketball fame), and the Naval and Air Force Academies play? The answer is none! All of the teams just listed (and many more) are Collegiate Club Teams, playing regionally and nationally without athletic scholarships, without trainers, sometimes without coaches, and in most cases, very minimal financial and institutional support from their universities. Simply put, these women sacrifice nearly all their free time throughout the school year, often training at an NCAA Varsity level, fueled by pure passion for their sport. Most of the young women playing Collegiate Club ball could easily be recruited for NCAA or NAIA play (and would love to be), but are out of the present scouting loop.

Tiffany Brooks plays for the Gonzaga University Women’s Fastpitch Club. Brooks and her club team may very well be a perfect example of the dynamics, passion, and talent of club softball in the Northwest. In only its second year, Gonzaga University (GU) has made great progress and established a solid program, receiving an invitation to play in the National Collegiate Club Tournament in Annapolis, Maryland, and scheduling a challenging season of regional play against Walla Walla College, the University of Idaho, Eastern Washington University, Washington State, Boise State and Idaho State. Like many smaller universities, GU’s roster is small. And like all other club teams, recruiting must be held within the student body, as no scholarships are available. Yet the level of play between regional club teams is quite high. As an example, GU’s players come from all over the U.S, were often standouts at the state or regional high school level, and many have played on ASA traveling teams. Most of the players are traditional undergraduates, but some are very much non-traditional. The GU Women’s Fastpitch club president, Kari Hayles, for example, played NCAA ball for the University of Oregon, is a second-year law student, standout veteran catcher and team organizer. Tiffany Brooks, the team’s 5’11" shortstop, nicknamed "tallstop" by her teammates, has returned to college after receiving her Master’s degree, is currently hitting .577, works full-time and pays tuition out of her own pocket. Brooks says, "I play for GU for the absolute love of the sport, my teammates and to hone my skills for a run at being recruited for National Pro Fastpitch." What is truly exceptional, though, is that the stories are similar for many, if not all, the club players throughout the region. As a result, errors in games are few, diving plays are frequent. The hitting, pitching and base running are aggressive. In sponsorships, GU may be more fortunate than many other Northwest club teams, having landed a major uniform sponsorship this year from Kimmel Athletic Supply, and partial sponsorships from both Akadema Professional and a local sign company, GridMark. Funding for club team equipment, travel, field maintenance and officiating fees are frequent problems. Although some schools financially support their non-NCAA teams better than others (It is reported that Eastern Washington University’s team received $10,000 last year. Gonzaga, reportedly, received a total of $800 for the entire year), the dollars spent on teams that compete at regional and national level are minimal. Travel is almost always by caravans of personal cars and accommodations are often gym floors, acquaintances’ homes and the occasional hotel with 3 to 5 players in each room to keep down costs.

Because most club teams are severely under funded, coaching is an area where teams often lack help and experience. Coaches are volunteers, balancing their paying jobs with the needs of the team and the sport they love so much. GU has been very fortunate in this area. Gonzaga’s head coach is Clarence "Fuzzy" Buckenberger. Buckenberger is commissioner for the Spokane ASA, and one of only 12 people selected nationally as a scout for the 2008 Olympics. Because no pay is involved, Buckenberger must continually balance his busy professional life with the needs of the GU team he loves to coach. His assistant coach, Kaitlyn Sawyer, a long-time standout slowpitch player works full-time, but never misses an afternoon practice or game, rain or shine. She hits fungos to outfielders and infielders alike, coaching first base and always with a big smile on her face.

According to Brooks, "After watching a number of coaches from other regional teams, my instinct tells me it’s the same for other club teams as well. Their coaches are dedicated professionals truly in love with the sport."

What does all this add up to? Against all odds, young women from all over the Northwest, driven by their passion for fastpitch softball, the desire to represent their colleges and universities, their love of white bases, freshly chalked lines, the smell of newly mowed grass, and the crack of the bat are competing in something very much akin to a "League of their Own." If you live in the Northwest and would like to see some of the high-caliber play firsthand, root for regional university teams, and experience the passion of these collegiate fastpitch players, there is an excellent opportunity on April 16th and 17th, when Eastern Washington University hosts the "Eagle Classic" Tournament in Spokane, Washington. In addition to the host team, teams from Boise State, Idaho State, Washington State Univ, University of Idaho and Gonzaga University are slated to play. Pool play will start on Saturday with modified single-elimination on Sunday. All games will be at B.A. Clark Park in Spokane, Washington.