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Welcome to the Knoxville Explosion Fastpitch Softball Team Website! |
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Written by Joe Birchfield
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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:
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Knoxville Explosion Mission Statement |
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Written by Joe Birchfield
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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 |
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8u Knoxville Explosion Looking for Committed Players and Parents |
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Written by Joe Birchfield
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The 8u Knoxville Explosion are looking for 1 to 2 committed players and parents for the 2012 Spring Fastpitch Softball Team. We are looking for parents that are drama-free, committed to our organization and willing to learn and most importantly, have fun! Strong support is provided from an organization with a proven track record. We have great volunteer coaches who care about the kids and focus on developing their fundamentals. If you are looking for this type of atmosphere, you might be the one! Spring practice begins in January 2012! Please contact Scott Blankenship at (865) 388-9778 or email him at
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for a private tryout.
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14u Knoxville Explosion Take 3rd in ASA Eastern Elite at Warner Park |
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Written by Joe Birchfield
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The 14u Knoxville Explosion opened up the 2012 Spring Season at beautiful Warner Park in Chattanooga on 3/24. Battling a variety of obstacles including the weather, the 14u Explosion had to have some help from three members of the 12u Explosion due to Middle and High School competition, but that did not discourage the 14u squad from playing very competitive softball. We did not win the tournament but did a great job in our first outing of the Spring playing very strong older 14u teams. Remember ladies, it is about the Focus, Attitude and Effort! 2012 looks to be a great year! |
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Coach Joe Birchfield Achieves PCA Double Goal Coach Certification |
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Written by Joe Birchfield
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On Saturday, March 17, 2012, Joe Birchfield, Organization Chief of Knoxville Explosion Fast Pitch Softball, became a certified double-goal coach through the national Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). PCA is an organization committed to changing coaching philosophies in all sports throughout the U.S. to focus on 1) Teaching Life Lessons and 2) Winning. PCA requires double-goal coaches to complete an extensive on-line course and certification test to achieve certification. PCA organization focus is on proper behavior, life lessons through sports and winning. It is a highly recognized national organization that has many professional, college and high school coaches as leaders and members.
This is but another step in our organizational committment to excellence and aiding youth achieve their softball goals the right way!
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Knoxville Explosion Teams Represent Well In Chattanooga USFA Opener |
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Written by Joe Birchfield
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The 12u, 10u and 8u Knoxville Explosion Teams opened up their respective seasons in Chattanooga at the USFA Chattanooga Classic held at beautiful Warner Park, March 10-11. The field of play was very strong with teams participating from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The 12u Explosion went 5-1 to capture second place in the A division, outscoring it's competition 38-9. Congratulations girls! The 10u Explosion also finished strong, posting a 4-2 record and finishing in 3rd place in the A division. Great job ladies. The 8u Explosion did not fair as well as the their older sisters but improved throughout the tournament! I am very proud of each of our teams and remember, its about getting better every game! Keep working hard ladies, softball season is a marathon, not a sprint!
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Be a Student of the Game - Follow These Rules |
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Written by Joe Birchfield
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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.
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