Dear 2003 Flames of Nebraska prospective softball player,

If you would like to become a better softball player, go on and play college softball, travel the US and play against the best players in the nation, have the burring desire to practice and play the game like it is your last, and can give a total commitment, then you are invited to try out for the “2003 Flames of Nebraska” 10^th place or higher Nationally ranked girls softball team for the last three years in a row. The 18 & Under place higher then the top 10 in 13 out of 14 tournaments this season alone. Also qualifying and playing in the ASA Regionals for the 6^th straight year in a row. Played in AFA Nationals 2 years and USSSA World for the third straight year in a row and placing each year in the top 10.

My intent as far as playing time for those who make the team is to play everyone in league and tournament pool play as much as possibly, and who ever steps up to be performing at the best at the time when it comes to bracket play, districts, state, regional, national, and world is who will see the most playing time which can change from tournament to tournament or even game to game with in a tournament. If for any reason you or a team mate can not finish the season or make some tournaments, we may need to pickup players and they usually will be quality players.

We will hold tryouts at the Hastings softball complex on Field 8 at 5:00 PM on Sunday August 11 and repeat again Sunday August 18, 2002 same time and place for anyone that has conflicts on the first date. If you have conflicts with both of these dates, contact me for other arrangements. You will want to bring to tryouts your shoes, glove, and bat if you have one, along with $150 fee pay to the order of 123 Sports. No one will be placed on the team until the $150 is paid in full. Tryout time is RSVP, so let me know what day you intend to tryout or if you do not intend to try out.

For those of you that make the team, we will plan to start practicing in the winter probably late December or early January, except for special request. Those of you interested in Hastings College will be ask to practice at least once with the Hastings College Team treated as a type of college tryout. We are not only looking for talent, but also great positive attitudes that are will to learn and become the best they can be.

We will have a fund raising committee that will meet starting in September and plan on doing enough to raise enough to not only cover normal operating expenses but to also cover motel’s on the back end of the season, such as world, national, regional, state depending on the amount of funds raised.

The Flames of Nebraska teams had a very successful seasons.

Flames of NE 18’s in the first half season the were made up of half 16’s and half 18’s;

-March for the USSSA 18B World playing in Oklahoma City OK World Qualifier, (Qualified for 18B World in KC)

-1^st USSSA 18B World qualifier in Loveland CO, (2^nd year in a row), (Qualified for 18B World in KC)

-3^rd ASA 18A Béatrice NE

-5th USSSA 18B World qualifier in Greeley CO

-3^rd ASA 18A Magic Tournament in Hastings NE

-3^rd ASA 18A Grand Island NE Tournament

-5^th ASA 18A Concordia Invite, Seward NE

-1^st AFA 18B National Qualifier, Dodge City KS (Qualified for AFA B Nationals)

-1^st USSSA 18B, 5^th 18A World Qualifier in Hutchinson KS

-2^nd USSSA 18B Sate and World Qualifier in Omaha NE

-9^th ASA 18A Nebraska State in North Platte NE

-5^th AFA 18B Nationals in Salina KS

-9^th USSSA 18B World Tournament Johnson Co. Kansas City KS (2^nd year in a row)

Flames of Nebraska 16’s in the last half;

-3^rd ASA 18A Grand Island NE Tournament

-4^th ASA 16A Concordia Invite, Seward NE

- AFA 16B National Qualifier, Dodge City KS (Qualified for AFA B Nationals)

-3^rd Hutchinson KS USSSA 16A World Qualifier Tournament, (Qualified for 16B World Canton MI)

-1^st 16B USSSA State and World Qualifier in Omaha NE, (Qualified for 16B World Canton MI)

-13^th ASA 16A Nebraska State in Lincoln NE

Flames of Nebraska 23’s;

5^th Place Trophy USSSA 23A World Tournament Johnson Co. Kansas City KS

2002 Flames ring your uniforms to check them in. Everyone bring fall, winter, and spring other sports schedules. There will be a 23 and Under team also for Hastings College Players and recruits talk to Don Rempe, Meghan Rempe, or myself. I do not expect their schedule to be as committed as the younger team.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Coach Rick Buerer

Flames of Nebraska Softball R_Buerer@hotmail.com

785-282-0048 cell, 308-234-9847 home, 402-461-7777 Hastings College Softball Office or 800-532-7642 Ext. 7777