The 12u Knoxville Explosion has an exceptionally rare opportunity to join an excellent, well established team for Spring 2012.  This is an exceptional opportunity to join a great organization with a proven track record that develops players ON and OFF THE FIELD.  Our one of a kind program focuses on all phases of the game and enphasizes those that are typically glossed over or not even addressed in other organizations.  We will play a 50 to 60 game schedule in predominantly northeast Tennessee and play one out of state select tournament.  If interested, please contact Joe Birchfield at (865) 363-0728 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  This opportunity will not last long as we have already begun indoor practices and will begin play the first weekend in March.  Thanks!

The Knoxville Explosion Fastpitch Softball Club is currently comprised of 4 teams (14u, 12u, 10u and 8u) that have a total of 50 very special players.  Players are not only selected based upon skill but also character and desire.  Our organization is committed to improving the skills of these special players to not only develop them into the best fastpitch softball players that they can be, but also the best students, friends and reliable, honorable young ladies.  Our goal is simple, develop the player to make a meaningful contribution to their schools, communities and future endeavors at the earliest possible opportunity.  If you are interested in joining our organization, we invite you to observe our practices and games to see what we teach and how we interact with the players.  Tryouts are held in early August each year for the respective teams. If you have any questions regarding one of our teams, please call the Head Coach listed in the important numbers section on the right information section of our website.  God Bless and Be Safe!

Joe Birchfield

Head Coach Knoxville Explosion Fastpitch

(865) 363-0728

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Knoxville Explosion Fast Pitch Softball Club is committed to developing player excellence on and off the field.  This is accomplished by selecting coaches who volunteer 100% of their time to teach the players the proper fundamentals of the game that include hitting, pitching, fielding and base running.  These concepts are reinforced using state of the art training equipment, playing equipment, computer software and professional coaches that seek to identify and raise awareness of the player to correct flaws in their own fundamentals.  In addition, our players will be taught the proper way to conduct themselves on and off the field.  Knoxville Explosion Players are expected to honor and respect their coaches, parents, team mates, opponents and umpires.  Our players are also expected to do their very best in school courses and to place emphasis on their studies.  We recognize that our players are also students and without achieving the proper grades, our players will not be allowed to compete at the next level.  Our coaches are committed to teaching our players the rules of the game and more importantly, how to succeed and have fun!  A key component of this commitment is to teach our players the strategy and mental aspects of the game.  It is through this commitment to the fundamentals that our coaches and players will honor the game of fast pitch softball.

 Joe Birchfield, Head Coach Knoxville Explosion Fast Pitch Organization Chief

On Saturday, December 17, the entire Knoxville Explosion Fastpitch Organization held a Christmas Party for 24 children at the Smoky Mountain Childrens Home in Sevierville, TN.  Understanding how fortunate we all are, the Knoxville Explosion parents sponsored each of the children, purchasing gifts, gift cards, food and other goodies helping some great kids that are less fortunate than those in the community.  The Knoxville Explosion Players ate pizza, shared laughs and even Santa visited!  All involved were happy and smiles were plentiful.  A special thanks to Steve and Kelly Gardner for helping coordinate with the facility owners as well as Sally Harmon, Cynthia Moore, Tracie Blankenship and Craig Webb for helping coordinate with each of their teams.  It is at this time and place that we recognize just how blessed we are and remember the following:

"To much is given, much is expected."

God Bless Us All.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011 has been an unbelievable year for the Knoxville Explosion.  Our teams posted an impressive performance record of

- (18) 1st Place Finishes (including Spring and Fall 2011 10u State Championships)

- (7) 2nd Place Finishes

- (5) 3rd Place Finishes

- (6) Did not place/Did not finish

resulting in an overall organization record of 140 Wins, 50 Losses, 1 tie!  WOW!!!!

More importantly, the organization started a 14u and 8u competitive travel teams in the Fall and hit the ground running, posting extremely successful records!  We welcomed a total of 26 additional families and 6 new coaches to our organization from all over east tennessee.  All of the Knoxville Explosion players are great kids with supportive parents!  Everyone is committed to the same goal, player development....the right way.  On behalf of the Knoxville Explosion, I want to personally thank each and every member of our organization, coaching staff and team moms who truly demonstrate the meaning of the word "Team".  We wish nothing but the best to all of our opponents in the various age groups and sincerely wish you a great 2012 Spring season!

Take small steps. Improvement is sometimes a slow process so don't get discouraged.  Many times, we've seen a player struggle throughout an entire year only to come back the next and be a different player.

·        Learn the game - practice matters.

·         Hustle - how you practice is how you play

·        Be competitive - play to win.

·         Respect and support each other – the golden rule

·        Respect yourself - no foul language or Personal remarks.

·        Play with poise - the game DOES start over with every pitch

·        Enjoy the game - and have fun being a part of it.

·        Take pride in what you do - never be content with mediocrity

·        Softball is a team sport but demands individual effort

 Become a student of the game. There is always more to learn.

Have fun. Softball is a game.

There is no reason you can't improve while having fun.

Abe was right about study and preparation. Become as knowledgeable as you possibly can about the game of softball-There are a lot of half-truths and well meaning but inadequate coaching instruction at the youth level. A coach would do well to become a student of the game. As a player if you have dreams and not wishes, go to work on your dream. And then work some more. Work separates the great from the average. If there are two players of equal talent, the one who studies and works harder will always win in the long run.  There is no magical substitute for work, no instant drill to make you succeed, no one piece of advice that will put it all together.

One other suggestion: Be patient.

Take small steps. Improvement is sometimes a slow process so don't get discouraged. Many times, we've seen a player struggle throughout an entire year only to come back the next and be a different player.