Headlines!
The California Haze congratulates 18U Gold pitchers
Brittany Rumfelt and Kristina Lewis for signing NLI’s to University of
Oregon and Humboldt State respectively.
Ironically Rumfelt, from Clear Lake, CA., is the niece of former Haze
standout catcher Crissy Jolin, who also received a scholarship to play D-I
softball, almost 10 years ago. Lewis,
a Novato, CA. native, is headed for one of the best softball programs in the
nation. Humboldt spent most of last
year ranked # 1 in the nation D-II.
Kristina’s father, Larry, has been the team
photographer for 3 years. Larry’s
photo’s have given the players, parents and coaches lasting memories because at
the end of each season he burns photo slide-show CD’s for the entire team. He’s an amazing guy. Brittany’s grandmother, Sandy Jolin, is now
known as “Sandy’s Deli”, by the team.
“Grammy” Sandy, along with the help of Britt’s mom Kelly, packs her
Suburban full of Deli Food and lays it out for the team at almost every
tournament, including LA, and Las Vegas.
Both families have gone above and beyond for the support of the girls on
the team, as well as the coaching staff.
We can’t thank them enough for their contributions!
Moms and Dads, the entire Haze family is proud of your
daughter’s accomplishments!
Go Haze!
10/31/05
Long time
Jenice, a four year starter at San Marin High School,
is very well known and well respected in the high school and travel softball
community as one of the best athletes to come from this area. “She is no doubt in the top one percent of
players I’ve seen come out of this area” said Haze co-founder John
Heliotes. “She raises the bar and sets
a higher standard for everyone she plays with”.
“She is a very pleasant and respectful young lady
who’s enthusiasm and energy for competition is un-matched by most in the
competitive softball arena” says coach Willis.
“She puts it all in, all the time” he added.
When asked, Coach Briggs noted that JB’s parents, Jim
and Grace are the “Class of the Class” when it comes to the support of their
daughter, The
From all of us at the
GO JB and GO HAZE!
The 18U
The Milialni Prep used a hard throwing left-hander who
was clocked at 70mph during the Championship game, to shut out the 18’s 1-0 in
the final. In 5 previous games the Prep
had averaged 6.4 runs per game, until they met up with long time Haze standout
Lindsey Benson (
Congratulations to Heather Collard, Danielle Frisk, Lindsey Benson, Kimi
Williams, Jenice Bartee, Kory Briggs, Kimber Reese, Alex Winters, Hannah
Winters, Ally Butler, and Kristina Lewis!!!
The Haze Organization is very proud of all of you!!!
GO HAZE!
The 14U, 16U and 18U
The 16’s will wrap up the season in
Next week also marks the end of a California Haze Legacy as long time head coach Jerry Briggs will call
it quits after 7 years at
the helm as a Haze Head Coach. Jerry will
be missed by all he has touched in the game.
Stay tuned for the results from the Western Nationals!
GO HAZE!
The 18U and 14U California Haze teams traveled to
Fairfield the past weekend to play in a Nor-Cal State pre-qualifying event,
while the 16’s traveled to Stockton to play up in the 18U division of the
Grapettes June Classic tournament. The
weekend proved to be a huge success for the entire organization. The 18’s brought home the championship
taking first place, defeating a strong
The 16U team traveled to
The 18U
This past year has
again proven to be very successful in terms of college scholarships for the
Haze organization, and its 18U head coach Jerry Briggs. “We’ve signed many of our girls and expect
more announcements before this summer is over” say’s coach Briggs. “We still have lots of irons in the fire for
the girls”. This summer the 18U Haze
team will attempt to qualify for its second consecutive ASA National
Championships Finals where they finished in the top 33 of 125 of the best teams
in the nation last summer.
The
Over the past 15 years the
The organization relies heavily on tax deductible
donations from the
GO HAZE!
18U Haze Pitcher
Allison Donnelly has signed with Cumberland
University in Lebanon,
CONGRATULATIONS
Allison and Family!
GO HAZE!
Long time
CONGRATULATIONS
KIMI and Family!
GO HAZE!
Both California Haze
18U Gold pitchers Lindsey Benson and Kory Briggs verbally committed to
collegiate athletic scholarship offers this past weekend in Huntington Beach,
CA after completing a very successful 2004 fall season.
San Marin High
School standout Lindsey Benson has committed to pitch for the Utah
State Aggies in Logan, Utah and
Analy High School hurler Kory Briggs will head to Irvine, California to pitch
for the Concordia
University Lady Eagles both for the 2006
season.
After many years of
dedication and hard work toward attaining their collegiate athletic goals, the
entire organization congratulates Lindsey Benson and Kory Briggs for their
accomplishments!
“The California
Haze Girls Fastpitch Softball Organization continues to work for all its
athletes to help them realize the dream of playing collegiate softball and gain
a quality education” said Haze Director John Heliotes. “And as the saying goes, the proof is in the
pudding!” The
Tryouts for the
entire organizations 2005 summer season begin Sunday January 2nd. Check the tryout page for more details.
GO HAZE!
Former
Jessica is a
tremendous hitter who has spent the past five years of her travel ball career
preparing for collegiate softball with the California Haze Organization under
long time Head Coach Jerry Briggs, before moving to the Strikkers this past
fall.
“Jessica is a wonderful
athlete who was destined to play division 1 ball,” said director John
Heliotes. “I’m very proud of her, and
the fact that she spent less than 2 months with Strikkers before being signed
is a huge testament to the level of training our athletes receive during their
years with the California Haze program.”
“Being seen by a
college scout is one thing, but having the skills and attitude to impress those
scouts when you are on stage is most important of all,” said the Haze
director. “Jessica had her “mojo
workin” at the right place, at the right time!”
Congratulation
Jessica, you’ve made all of us who had the pleasure to coach you very, very
proud!
GO HAZE!
8/29/04
The California Haze
has now completed its very successful fall tryout schedule, adding several new
and very talented players to all levels of the organization. Upwards of 50 players spread out evenly
between 3 teams attended the tryouts.
“This was one of
the most encouraging and fruitful tryouts we’ve seen in a long time. Organization wide the numbers were very
impressive. We continue to attract
top-level talent and improve the overall strength of all our teams as players
migrate towards the most successful and consistent organization in the
All three teams
improved in both strength and talent and are looking forward to very successful
fall and summer seasons. Team rosters should
be posted this week.
GO HAZE!
5/13/04
Career Haze
Standout Jessica Whalen has signed a full ride athletic scholarship with
Division 1 Prairie View A&M University in
Jessica, along with
her mother Kim and Father Rick have been un-wavering in their support of the
organization from the beginning.
Jessica has always been the “darling” of the Haze organization and we
will all miss her tremendously when she goes.
She always has a smile on her face, and always has something nice to
say. She is a tremendous athlete who is
looked up to by all the younger players, as well as being very highly respected
by her coaches and peers.
We have been
extremely fortunate to have this entire family as a part of our organization
for so many years.
Congratulation To
You Jessica, And To Mom And Dad. And
Thank You For Showing Us All That There Really Is No “I” In Team!
The California Haze
speed clinic was a huge success this past Sunday as the organization welcomed
renowned running clinician Mr. Jim Underhill, his wife Carol, and able
assistant “Ben the Babe” to Prince Park to work with the entire organization on
running and speed skills. Here are a few pictures of the day’s events.
According to Spy Softball, former
“Kasey was the
darling of the softball community in the North Bay. “I had the pleasure of both
coaching Kasey when she played for the Haze, and watching her tear up the high
school ranks during her run at Analy High”, said Haze director John Heliotes.
“She has always been a willing example and mentor for the younger players, and
you’ll never meet a sweeter and more compassionate young lady.”
CONGRATULATIONS
KASEY!
Fall tryouts are
complete for all three California Haze teams and included new high-level talent
at all levels. All three teams are looking forward to a very successful fall
season and beyond. The 12’s and 18’s have finalized their rosters. The 14’s are
still holding the last 2 roster spots open for the right players. Any serious
players interested in joining the most successful softball program in the
Over 40 athletes
turned out for what proved to be another successful day of tryouts for three California
Haze Fastpitch teams. Both new talent and returning players were in attendance
for the event. All three teams were pleased with Sunday’s turnout and are
looking forward to the September 7th follow-up date for players who
weren’t able to attend this past Sunday due to other conflicts.
All players who are
looking to join a top level program with top level athletes are encouraged to
attend the September 7th follow-up weekend as rosters will not be
finalized until the completion of that tryout. The Haze is committed to giving
anyone who thinks they may not be getting the level of coaching they need, and
are looking to play with the best A level talent in the
The 16U California
Haze is excited to announce addition of Elsa Tang to its 2003 roster. Elsa, a seasoned travel ball player and
standout athlete from Windsor High School will join teammate Jessica Shiery,
also from Windsor High, on the top rated travel team.
“Elsa will add
tremendous depth to the team on the mound, in the field and at the plate” said
16U head coach Jerry Briggs.
“I’ve been watching
Elsa develop over the last 3 years and had hoped that one day she would join the
organization” said program director John Heliotes. “That day has arrived and we
couldn’t be happier.”
GO HAZE!
Former California
Haze Gold scholarship standouts Tiffany Lawson (LMU), Krystal Kehr (LMU), Gina
McFarland (USD) and Sara Mason (USD) met for the first time in NCAA Softball
action this weekend. McFarland and Mason traveled to LMU with the University of San Diego Toreros to compete in the LMU Tournament this weekend against
Lawson, Kehr and the LMU Lions.
Different teams,
same friendships, same goals: "Academic Excellence Through College
Sports."
GO HAZE!
The California Haze
has received its non-profit status. A big thanks goes to Mr. Paul Hallgren from
the 16U Haze for all his hard work and efforts in helping us to achieve this
goal!
Also, 16U Head
Coach Jerry Briggs has been appointed Vice President of the California Haze
Girls Fastpitch Organization.
Long time Haze standout Krystal Kehr checked into her dorm room at Loyola Marymount University today to begin her college softball dream. To pitch for a Division 1 University on a full ride scholarship.
The LMU Lions
finished ranked in the top 8 in the Western Region and are joining the newly
formed Pacific Coast Softball Conference. With Krystal on the mound, the Lions
will be shooting for their first ever College World Series appearance.
All of us wish her
a very successful college career and know she will be missed by all.
Congratulations
Krystal!
With temperatures sizzling to 100 degrees this weekend, the only thing hotter were 3 California Haze fastpitch teams in Sonoma County.
Solid Pitching, Hitting and Defense helped make
History this weekend in the Sonoma County Wine Country Invitational Tournament
this past weekend when all three Cal Haze teams that were entered in the event
walked away with championship crowns.
The championship games saw the 18U girls defeat the
Cal Predators 1-0 in eight innings with NCS standout pitcher Cristina Leisen on
the mound, while 14U ace Cory Briggs shut down the RP Rebels to seal the 8-1
run rule victory.
The 12's downed the CV Xtreme 6-0 with veteran pitcher
Amanda Sharp chucking the 7 inning shutout to claim the victory. An over the
fence grand slam by Jenny Merrill, followed in the same inning by a 3 run shot
over the same left field fence by Janel Heliotes, and 2 no-hitters by pitcher
Sara Marcia were among some of the highlights this weekend for the 12U squad.
GO HAZE!
Both the 18U and 12U California Haze teams posted 4-1 Records this past weekend in the "Class Act" tournament held in Fairfield.
The event was the 18U Haze's first outing after combining
a mostly 16U program with the 18's to form a powerful force at the 18U level.
The 18U weekend was highlighted with an impressive 2-1
quarter finial win over the North Bay Renegades, who elected to throw Division
1 college pitcher Kristina Blair in the game against the Haze girls. Haze
Standout and NCS 3A Champion Christina Leisen tossed a one hitter to eliminate
the Renegades in Sunday's action.
The 12's finished 2nd on the weekend and continued to
rack up the wins running their summer record to an impressive 28-4 with two 1st
place and three 2nd place finishes.
After finishing a 2 year stay at Palamar JC in Southern California, former Cal Haze Gold outfielder Michelle Leisen has earned a starting position at UC San Diego. Leisen, who is also a middle infielder, will have a tremendous impact on the San Diego squad.
Congratulations Michelle!
Coach Brenda James is the head softball coach at Indiana Tech located in Fort Wayne ,
Indiana
She is specificly
searching for players that are looking to major in one of the following: all Business
majors, marketing, accounting, all Engineering majors, Management, Theraputic
Recreation (Physical Therapy), Recreation management, and All the Computer
majors. Send Info to: Coach Brenda James.
Former
California Loyola
Marymount University
Krystal, Who Is Now Playing For The Hot Stuff In
Southern California, Was Recruited By Head Coach Gary Farin During Her Fall And
Summer Season With The California Haze Gold. Krystal Joins The Growing List Of Haze Players Who Have Received
Scholarship Funds To Attend College To Play Softball.
Congratulations To Pitcher Krystal Kehr!
The SF Chronicle Profiles The California
"The Girls of Summer"
"Former Cal Haze Gold Player Erin Newman Earns Second Straight All American Honors"
16/U Haze Gold pitch and hit their way to a second place finish in Hayward
The 1st Annual California Haze Picnic At McNear Park In Petaluma Was A Huge Success. The Potluck Event Drew Over 100 Players, Parents And Coaches. A Good Time Was Had By All. Good Food Was Abundant And The Egg Toss, Three Legged Race And Player vs. Coach/Parent Softball Game Capped The Days Highlights.
A Big Thank You
Goes Out From John And Randy To All The Coaches And Parents For Helping Us To
Build One Of The Most Well Respected Girls Softball Organizations In
California.