The Clearwater Lady Bombers, coached by Angie Barber-McEvoy, is a non-profit organization started back in 1989. It has teams ranging from 8U to 18U, that compete in top level tournaments all over the United States. The Bombers pride themselves on achieving a 100% collegiate scholarship rate for the girls who have played for their organization over the past 3 years. The Lady Bombers have had a long tradition of players going through their program that has made a difference in the softball world with Kelly Kretchman, Kellie Wilkerson, and Dani Hofer once wearing the Lady Bombers uniforms.
Clearwater Lady Bombers 04 team was formed in August 2013 as a first-year 10U team. From the start, they were playing older and more experienced teams. By the end of their second year together as a 10U team, they finished out as State Champions in both USSSA and NSA for 2015. Capping off their last tournament as a 10U team with a 4th place finish at USSSA World Series in Orlando FL. Moving up to 12U as a first year 12U team the Clearwater Lady Bombers 04 team finished the season with a 3rdplace finish at the NSA 12U World Series in Clearwater, FL.
Clearwater Lady Bombers 04 have had top 5 finishes at Altamonte Spring, USA Elite Select qualifier in Ft. Myers FL, Atlanta Fastpitch Classic, Florida Classic Showcase in Sanford, FL and the D9 Inspiration tournament in Orlando, FL. Impressively the Bombers 04 team had an outstanding fall season with netting a berth to the 2017 USA Elite Select 12U Nationals in Kansas City, Mo.
Coach Angie Barber-McEvoy believes in each one of her girls on her team to play an integral role in their team success. They have a very strong pitching staff, with a solid defense, which is made possible by having several successful utility players. These girls also have the ability to hit no matter their position in the lineup. “This is a true team effort, and all of our girls have a great skill set, ability, and determination,” said Coach Angie Barber-McEvoy.
BP:Who is your greatest role model either personally or as a coach?
ABM: I love Joe Maddon current coach for the Chicago Cubs. His approach, calm and collected demeanor is exactly my approach. He keeps it light and fun but also has the ability to get his point across without flying off the handle. He creates a great team bond with his players and knows how to connect with each one of them.
BP” How has coaching affected your life?
ABM: Coaching has changed my life in MANY ways, but the biggest thing is probably knowing the impact I am having on all of the girls I have coached both physically with the sport, and mentally preparing them to be upstanding citizens. Teaching them what it means to be part of a team, work together for the same goal, support each other and teach them right from wrong. Seeing the “lightbulb” go off above their head when teaching them is so rewarding! Knowing that I am possibly leaving a memorable impact on each one of them is truly a life blessing!
BP: What role do assistant coaches have on your team? Do you consider yourself a micro or macro manager?
ABM: I consider myself a macro manager to my assistant coaches. I was fortunate enough to get 2 great assistant coaches who do not have a daughter on the team who wanted to give back to the sport they love. We have very clearly defined roles with the team. Anthony Johnson who is more like a head coach calls the game from 3rdbase. Raven Johnson calls the pitches and works a lot with the pitchers and catchers. I am responsible for dealing with the players physical and mental needs in addition to communicating with the parents when needed. We all teach the skill at practices such as footwork, mechanics, where to stand how to make the play etc. but during gameplay we each have our own defined roles.
BP: What made you decide to go into coaching? What is your coaching philosophy? How important is winning?
ABM: I played softball from the age of 4 years old. Growing up I always wanted to be a Bomber. The Bombers organization asked if I would start a team. I wanted nothing more than to have an impact on young lady athletes, teaching them what I know. It was the best decision I have ever made. My philosophy is “it’s all about the girls!” Their development is what is most important to me. Seeing them grow and learn while playing the sport they are so passionate about is what keeps me going! Winning is a great thing but it’s not the most important thing. You have to lose sometimes to learn. Learning with each loss, eventually, the winning will come.
BP: Defensive/pitching philosophy? What is it? Defense wins games. My philosophy is that you have to be able to catch and throw the ball in order to win a game. Make the routine plays, and give all-out effort to attempt at making the GREAT plays. Basically WANT the ball. If you keep the other team from scoring they can’t win. During a typical local tournament, I play everyone on Saturday and in most
ABM: Defense wins games. My philosophy is that you have to be able to catch and throw the ball in order to win a game. Make the routine plays, and give all-out effort to attempt at making the GREAT plays. Basically WANT the ball. If you keep the other team from scoring they can’t win. During a typical local tournament I play everyone on Saturday and in most cases, I will play everyone on Sunday. Reps on the field give everyone equal amount of chances and development. In bigger tournaments game by game, my philosophy changes. I may play the best 9 defensive players only in 1 game, and if an opportunity arises I will put subs in during those games. The next game I may play all players, rotate them to play multiple positions during that one game. Each game is approached differently.
BP: How do you work with umpires? What is your philosophy on the way that you treat them?
ABM: I will never yell at an umpire, or call them names. The umpires are seen as figures of authority on the field, they have the last say. In this aspect, I want the girls to know how to treat people in that type of position. Seeing me rationally discuss something with an umpire shows them the right way to have a conversation with someone when you don’t agree with them. I have seen too many times where opposing coaches will lose their temper with our umpires. All I tell my girls is, don’t ever talk to an umpire, teacher, coach, parent…a person of authority that way. Yelling or disrespecting someone of authority will typically get you nowhere.
BP: What do you think is the most important aspect of a championship team? As mentioned before, defense wins
ABM: As mentioned before, defense wins a game. You play defense they can’t score and they can’t win. But, mistakes will happen so the biggest thing is to pick each other up, don’t give up! You fight until the last out of each game you play. Pushing yourself during practice, if you just go through the motions you will never grow and learn more. A disciplined team works VERY hard during practice and often leaves the field tired, but wanting more. And lastly, team bonding. This starts with the parents. If the parents don’t get along, you will often see a separation between the players which will carry over to the field during play. This is critical at the younger age groups in teaching them how to “gel” on and off the field in order to trust each other. I have always said you don’t have to be best friends, but you do need to be able to play as a team and trust each other on the field.
BP: Your team motto is?
ABM: There are several that we have had over time. The one that sticks most with me is a shirt we had made when we were in 10u. “Start unknown, Finish unforgettable.”
BP: How do you deal with multiple sport athletes missing practices for other sporting events?
ABM: I wholeheartedly agree and support multiple sports. I think this is the best way to work multiple muscles within the body in different ways. Interacting with multiple styles of coaching and teammates develops the player’s ability to adjust/adapt to different behavior styles. My philosophy on missing practices for secondary sports is below. I have had girls on my team play a secondary sport and shown up late for our practice coming from their secondary sports practice which is also fine with me.
o Primary sport games
o Secondary sport games
o Primary sports practice
o Secondary sports practice
BP: How would you assist and counsel your players that are being recruited to play in college?
ABM: This started from the day the players start playing on my team. Everything we do prepares them for that next level. Always looking forward. Most of what I have started with is teaching the girls how to behave both on and off the field, letting the parents know how they need to act in order to give their kids the best chance at a scholarship in college if that is what they choose. If they decide to go down a different path for college then being mindful of those players on the team who do have this as a goal and supporting their want for recruitment. The things we have focused on is hustle on and off the field between innings, making sure you are picking your teammates up, embracing the “next play” attitude when you make a mistake, being up on the fence when your team is batting, and most of the all…keeping the parents away from the dugout! I also stress the importance of school, grades, and involvement in school activities. We all maintain a very busy lifestyle playing competitive sports and it’s difficult for a child at the age of 12 to manage their time and use every minute they have effectively. Something else we focus on is punctuality and commitment. We all know that playing in college these two things are VERY important.
BP: What type of athlete is most difficult for you to work with? How do you overcome this?
ABM: Entitled Athletes. More often than not, these players are un-coachable. They feel that they know everything and you can’t teach them anything. They also play for themselves rather than their team or teammates. This is an evolution when working with athletes like this. Basically, these players on occasion need to sit the bench. That is the only way they are going to learn. When they sit, and are forced to support their team while they watch…they eventually learn that they need to be a part of the team vs. being “the team” in order to earn their spot/playing time
