A group of local softball players are gearing up for a shot at softball glory after qualifying for the 2024 Western Nationals tournament at the end of the month.
The Santa Monica Girls Fastpitch (SMGF) 12U Gold All-Star team finished in the top four (out of 32 teams) at the State tournament held in Lancaster over the Fourth of July weekend and have been fundraising for the trip to Salem, Oregon.
After surpassing an initial fundraising goal of $10,000, the teams GoFundMe remains active to help offset the costs of taking 11 players to the event including travel, hotel and other associated costs.
"We’ve been astonished how much we raised," said head coach Mike Denbeau. "It’s still going strong even though we exceeded our goal. It’s a by product of who these girls are. The parents see the love, see the commitment that they have to one another and feel the sense of family. "It extended into the fundraising efforts, when they see that kind of stuff, it’s touching, they see it’s something that should be nurtured and supported."
Denbeau said the core of the team has been playing together for several years and while they may play on individual teams in the regular season, many of them have come together for All-Star teams in the past.
"At this level of play, obviously every player on our team is very talented," he said. "They are All-Stars for a reason. But what makes this team truly special is the sense of family and togetherness that the team plays with. I love what Gene Hackman said in the movie Hoosiers about playing as a team, functioning as one single unit, with no one player more important than the other. That’s how this team plays. They would do anything for each other. And I think that’s why our fundraiser has been successful. People see that and they instinctively want to nurture it, support it, and keep it going as long as possible."
Assistant Coach Bobby Reynoso said the team has gone from a 2-14 record a few years ago to qualifying for the National event.
"My favorite thing about coaching this team is not only is it a great group of girls, but it’s a great group of families. It shows on and off the field with the smiles and friendships we all share," he said. "I am very excited to take this trip to Oregon with the girls because of the life long memories I know they will share and for these girls to be able to show case their talents in front of some of the rest of the country."
Reynoso’s daughter, Destiny, is part of the team and said making it to the big tournament was a validation of the hard work that the team put in.
"I am excited to play in a new place against new teams from out of state. I’ve never been to Oregon so I’m looking forward to all the fun I will have with my friends," she said.
She said playing on the team has helped her with communication and teamwork on and off the field. Pitcher and OutfielderMadison Denbeau said she’s excited to extend her time with her teammates into the offseason.
"It means a lot to me because I get to spend more time with my friends on this team. We eat, sleep, breathe softball and work really hard so making it all the way to Nationals is a dream come true. To have this moment with my dad, who is our Head Coach, is a memory I will forever cherish," she said.
The teams fundraiser remains active online here.
matt@smdp.com
