Monday, January 18, 2010 10:22 PM CST

LLC's Tinsman lands spot on the roster at Indiana State

BY BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor

bnielsen@jg-tc.com

MATTOON -- Hailey Tinsman admits she was ready to reluctantly give up on her softball playing career.

The former Mattoon and Lake Land shortstop figured she had fallen too far behind academically to get another shot.

“Oh yeah, I talked to coach (Throneburg) and told him I didn’t think I could do it,” Tinsman said. “It is because of him that I made it through this.”

Now Tinsman is at Indiana State, eligible to play this coming season.

Throneburg, who after last season relinquished the Lake Land softball coaching duties to concentrate on his athletics director job, does not deny that the paper work took some time but spreads around the credit.

“Coach (Brenda) Coldren at Indiana State did an excellent job in the recruiting process,” Throneburg said. “She was very persistent and very professional in making sure everything was done right. We did have to make sure everything academically was in order.

“The bottom line is Hailey’s success in the classroom this fall. Hailey did what she had to do this fall. She had a 2.88 GPA taking 14 hours and because of that she is eligible to play Division I this year.”

Indiana State now has an All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference first-team shortstop and NCJAA All-Region 24 second-team choice who as a sophomore hit .464 with 11 home runs and 12 doubles helping Lake Land set a school record for wins going 46-8 with a No. 11 national ranking.

“I’ve never doubted Hailey’s ability to play Division I,” Throneburg said. “I’ve told her she is one of the best shortstops I’ve ever coached. I really think the only person who doubted that was Hailey. I’ve coached a lot of good shortstops but Hailey is as good as I’ve ever coached. Sometimes kids need to be told those things.”

Considering Throneburg’s daughter Dara earned All-American shortstop honors playing for the last three of her father’s six IHSA Class A state championships at Casey-Westfield, the “as-good-as-I’ve-ever-coached” statement is no small statement.

Tinsman had not lost her softball interest, helping in Lake Land’s fall practices while taking classes.

Now she has spent a week as an Indiana State student-athlete.

“I really like it,” Tinsman said. “I’m practicing in the infield so we’ll see game time what I can play.

“Basically I want to do well in all my classes and do my best in softball.”

Throneburg is among no doubt many from the Mattoon/Lake Land softball family glad to see she has reached this point.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for her academically and a great opportunity for her athletically,” Throneburg said. “I think she has a good chance to go in and start. I think it’s a good chance for her geographically, close to home. She got a great package financially. We couldn’t ask for anymore.

“I’ve coached a lot of kids in her situation. It just takes some a little more time to get from point A to point B. Not always is it a smooth ride but one of the most satisfying things in coaching is to see kids succeed in whatever they choose to do. I’m really proud of her to take this step. It would have been easy just to take the easy way out and I’m glad to see she’s accepting this challenge.”

Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.

Mattoon Journal Gazette • Sunday, January 17, 2010 12:15 AM CST

OUR VIEW:
Mattoon Pride softball gets well-deserved kudos

By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com

Put the words “high quality” and “softball” together in East Central Illinois, and Mattoon immediately comes to mind.

Add in the words “summer softball,” and those in the know immediately think of the Mattoon Pride organization.

Some things just go together, and some communities become known for certain things. In the case of Mattoon, Pride softball is one of the things the community is known for, not just locally but from knowledgeable people outside the community, too.

This fact was underlined recently when the Pride organization was the first to be recognized by the National Softball Association, an association that has a long history with the Pride. NSA previously inducted individuals into its Hall of Fame. This year it added recognition for an entire organization like the Pride.

Pride softball started in 1993 with a single team in the 12-and-under age group. Through the years the Pride program expanded, and today it has teams in the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age groups.

More than that, Pride teams consistently play at a high level, in large part because of the organizational structure that’s developed through the years. Within the Pride organization there is a consistent, proven method used throughout age groups.

Put another way, individual coaches do not go off on their own; rather, they stay within the system. They also consistently act in ways that merit positive recognition.

The Pride system includes a nearly year-around commitment to softball with offseason workouts in a Pride-owned facility.

The Pride organization has five NSA state championships and five top-five national finishes in its history. Numerous Pride players have played collegiately, not to mention the dozens who have played lead roles in successful high school programs in Mattoon and other communities.

Wade Bradley and John Dye were the leaders of the first Pride team. Bradley remains an active leader within the organization, which has significantly expanded its reach since that first team.

The Mattoon Pride is an organization that’s earned the respect of the softball world through many years of consistent, high-quality contributions to the sport.

The NSA formally recognized those contributions with its award.

The recognition is well deserved. We’re certainly proud to be able to help spread the word about the Pride’s numerous accomplishments, and add our congratulations to those involved in the organization.

 

— JG/T-C Editorial Board

Mattoon Journal Gazette • Friday, January 8, 2010 11:22 PM CST

A PRIDEFUL POSITION

By BRIAN NIELSEN,
Sports Editor
bnielsen@jg-tc.com

MATTOON -- Three years into inducting Hall of Fame individuals, the National Softball Association looked to honor an entire program.

Others are likely to be added but the Mattoon Pride will go down as the first.

“When I started coaching in travel ball the Mattoon Pride was pretty strong,” said Bob Biehl, the NSA’s state director for girls’ fastpitch. “That was in 1995. I really liked the characteristics of the teams. They were very competitive, they were very successful and they were very knowledgeable of the game. They had their success in the state tournament in high school finishing second (in 2008). I didn’t even hesitate. They were a front-runner for me. I felt an organization needed to be recognized.”

Five NSA state championships and five top-five national finishes, including a 2003 Super World Series championship, are just part of the Mattoon organization’s resume.

Playing host to an NSA Qualifier for the past 10 years with the field climbing to 65 teams is another reason for induction into this still relatively new Hall of Fame for the softball organization.

“I think it’s a combination of both, probably the number of the high finishes we’ve had and a lot of it is the way umpires look at us and organizations look at us,” said Wade Bradley, one of the Pride’s coaches and tourney directors. “A lot of the groups don’t have a lot of the longevity we have.”

Bradley and John Dye got a Pride 12-and-under team started in 1993.

Eventually, the Pride had at least one team in each of the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age divisions and has maintained that since 1999.

“I think when we started, the sport of softball was just taking off,” Bradley said. “It sort of exploded. We got to where we can host big tournaments. I had no idea that it would become this big.

“We take ‘pride’ in fair play and sportsmanship and building character in the players that pass through our organization.”

The NSA has recognized the Pride in the past or at least one of its leaders.

“It’s not the first time,” Biehl said. “Wade got his own award for 110 percent for his contributions and involvement. Of course Wade doesn’t like the accolades for himself. I had to come to Mattoon and give the presentation. But this is a club award that has been well deserved. They have been involved in a number of years.”

After seeing four daughters go through the Pride program and into college ball, Bradley continues coaching probably with the chance for second-generation players before long.

“I still enjoy the coaching and will continue in the organization,” Bradley said. “But yeah, I’d like to see my granddaughters play.”

Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.

2009 Mattoon Pride

18U Second NSA World Series

18U NSA State Champions

16U Second NSA World Series

16U Third ASA Northern Nationals

12U Second at NSA State

10U Second at NSA & ASA State
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Mattoon Pride Girls Fastpitch is located in Mattoon, Illinois.

Our purpose and mission is to give the girls instructional guidance and experience in playing fastpitch softball at the highest level of competition possible. In order to do this, The Pride sends its teams to tournaments in, and out of, the state of Illinois.
This is where the competition is, and this is where we must go to develop girls who want to play in high school or prepare for college.
The emphasis is always on sportsmanship, character, and fun, over winning.
We are a private, IRS-certified, non-profit organization that receives no financial aid or support from local or federal governments.
We gladly accept tax-deductible donations.
Mattoon has a rich history in girl's fastpitch softball and is repeatedly commended for sportsmanship and conduct on and off the field and being able to compete with the best. This is not achieved easily and the coaches and players are commended for this. The coaches and girls are very proud of their reputation and high standards.
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