Madeira Beach Riptide Girls Headed for Softball World Series

MADEIRA BEACH, FL – To win at team sports you need talent. To win at the highest levels of team sports you more than talent, you need what some people call a “sixth sense”, each player anticipating what their teammates will do in specific situations. That is where the ladies of the Madeira Beach Riptide 14U Softball team are today.

Most of the players on the team met in a T-ba

ll league when they could barely pick up a bat. They have grown up, won and lost games as a team. Together they’ve been through hundreds of hours of practice, suffered scrapes and bruises and raised money to support the team they love. When they make the journey to Jensen Beach, Florida for the 2018 Babe Ruth Softball World Series July 19 – 26, it will all have been worth it.

“These girls have worked so hard to get here, in my mind they’ve already won,” said Team Manager Ben Tubbs. Along with coaches Dave Ballew, Donnie Barker and Darren McClenan, he has watched the girls grow into confident young women. “They would do anything for each other, including leaving it all on the field in every single game.”

While talent and teamwork are required to make it to the “show,” so is money. The team has a Go Fund Me page with a goal of raising $12,500. “I’ve learned never to doubt that these girls and this community can do anything they set their mind to. I’ve watched them wait on tables, wash dishes, and hold car washes in blazing heat, they know what it is to sacrifice,” said Tubbs.

When asked what their favorite part of the game is, pitcher Angie Ballew cited throwing a 56-mph rising fastball and Hailey Copechal talked about the joy of throwing a runner out. But when Randi Tubbs said “being a part of this team” they nodded their heads in agreement. When they hit the field in Jensen Beach it will be as a family that is representing the community of Madeira Beach.

According to Tubbs, “Madeira Beach Youth Baseball and Softball has only been a member of Babe Ruth Softball for 3-years, but wherever we go people have heard of us. I attribute it the hard work put in by the girls, along with the support of their families and this community. When Madeira Beach rolls into town everyone can see the pride in this team and that makes it all worthwhile.

For more information contact Curt Preisser, City of Madeira Beach Public Information Officer at 727-391-9951 x299 or cpreisser@madeirabeachfl.gov.