Iowa Blitz College Exposure Summer Program
The Iowa Blitz began offering a summer program in the fall of 2011. Our first full season began in the spring of 2012.
Why are we offering a program that directly competes with high school ball in the state of Iowa? Is the Blitz organization against high school ball?
The Blitz Summer Exposure Program:
Players will be expected to:
We understand that players and individuals have bad days. That unforeseen circumstances arise. We will work with families and players in these circumstances. However, we must also draw the line in the best interest of keeping consistency within the program. Players displaying undesired attitudes or behavior will be addressed by the coaching staff. Should the undesired behavior persist, disciplinary action may be taken which may include the benching of a player, or the expulsion of a player if deemed necessary for the betterment of the program. Unexcused and “Non noticed” missing of practice or games will result in the benching of a player for at least two games. Continued misses may result in expulsion from the team. Excused or notified misses may still result in a player not starting or playing in the next team event. Players are expected to be at practices and events. Vacations during June and July, which conflict with our schedule are not excused misses. This program is for the player who is serious about bettering themselves and playing at the next level.
Displeasure with the coaching staff or the program in general should be discussed with the coaching staff or program director in a manner that does not affect other players or families of the program. This should never be done prior to, during, or immediately after a game, and never in front of other players or parents of the programs. The coaching staff will be open to listening to any suggestions/complaints that a parent has, but only in a non-combative manner and again, not in the presence of other players/families.
Parents are also expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively upon the program. Parents or relatives who do not adhere to this may be asked to leave. Believe it or not, college coaches look at this as well. Your behavior in the stands could affect your daughter’s ability to be recruited effectively. And college coaches are a tight nit family. They talk to each other about players and families all the time.
We don’t believe the Iowa Blitz program is for everyone. However, if you feel the above information is in line what you are looking for in placing your daughter into a competitive program, then the Iowa Blitz may be for you.
Blitz Summer Fastpitch Fees:
Spring and Summer combined (March thru July) includes 10-11 events, 5-6 travel (Exposure) events = $1700 plus the cost of additional equipment and uniforms, which players keep. Each player will look alike.
Summer only, no Spring events (Mid May thru July) includes 5-7 events = $1200 plus cost of equipment/uniforms.
The above items are those that we can provide. The ¼ zip pullover is optional and not every player needs to have one. We do not allow sweatshirts or jackets to be worn on the field of play, but this warm up can be worn since it has the player’s number. Other items needed and will be on your own are………
Depending on the team a player is on, our teams will be going to Denver, CO; Tulsa, Ok; Toledo, OH; Kansas City, MO; Rosemount, MN; and possibly Atlanta, GA or Palmdale, CA. Should any of our teams qualify for a nationals event or want to attend a nationals event, the cost to do so will be additional to the stated fees above.
If you are interested in the Blitz Summer Exposure Program, please complete the form below.
Why are we offering a program that directly competes with high school ball in the state of Iowa? Is the Blitz organization against high school ball?
- No, the Iowa Blitz is not against high school summer softball………..The summer program began due to an increasing amount of interest among families/players who understand that it is difficult to be recruited solely playing high school summer softball.
- The primary recruiting season for college coaches is in the months of June – August. They usually take a break as they are beginning their own fall seasons. And then their secondary recruiting period is in the fall.
- Upon offering a summer program, we realized the interest among families and players was greater than expected.
- The Iowa Blitz is simply offering players in the state of Iowa an even playing field with regard to the rest of the country in terms of college recruiting.
- Our summer program is separate from our other Spring and fall program, but players will be still play in both the spring and fall...
The Blitz Summer Exposure Program:
- The Iowa Blitz program is designed for the sole purpose of providing another, more viable option for high school aged softball players to play the game they love, learn the game of softball at a high level, compete against great competition, learn what it means to be a “team player”, meet and play with and against other players who share the same goals, enjoy the game for what it is, and, be placed in a position to be recruited by college coaches and earn financial assistance to go to college while playing the game of softball. Another primary goal of the Blitz is to develop strong, confident leaders.
- Education is very important. Doing well in school is stressed in our program. There is more money to be from academics than athletics.
- We work with every player and their family on how to be recruited. She must first get the attention of the coach and then perform well. But if she performs well, and there is nobody to see it, then she just performed well. However, if she performs well and has done her part to be out in front of coaches to see her performance, she has just increased her odds of receiving a scholarship.
- The Blitz does not and will not guarantee that every player in our program will receive a college scholarship. We do not guarantee certain types of scholarships to certain levels of programs. D1 is not a good fit for every player, and not every school is a good fit for every player.
- What the Blitz program will do is put your daughter in a position to be seen and recruited by college coaches. Everything we do is designed to help your daughter get noticed. This includes practices, and game preparation, and the way players conduct themselves on and off the field. College coaches look at much more than “on the field” ability of any one player.
- The rest is then up to your daughter to impress.
- Every player in the program will be provided ample opportunity to play in front of college coaches. While winning championships is not the primary goal, being competitive and striving to win each game is necessary and important in drawing the attention of college coaches. Therefore, all players are expected to play at a high level. They are expected to study and learn the game – on their own time as well as during practices and games. This includes off season and in season workouts, whether it be actual softball related or strength and conditioning training.
- If your daughter is serious about the desire to receive a college scholarship, she will go the extra mile to obtain that scholarship.
- Along these lines, not every player will receive “Equal” playing time. There are too many variables to promise equal number of at bats, and innings played in the field etc. Players who are struggling or who display poor attitudes that are detrimental to themselves and the team may not receive as many innings played as another player. However, considering all things equal, players will be treated equally.
- Our goal is to try and develop multi-faceted players, who can play more than one position. Most college coaches I have spoken with recruit athletes, and not necessarily, specific positions unless those positions are pitcher and catcher.
- As for pitching and catching, we will have a minimum of 3 primary pitchers on any one team and two primary catchers. We may have more than this number on any one team, however, guaranteeing 4 pitchers or 3 catchers equal playing time is not practical.
- Seems today that everyone has a ‘side” coach of some sort. I am not here to tell folks what to do. But I will say that here in this program we have a way we want the players to hit and field and play. We have coaches who have been coaching the game for many years and who have all coached championship caliber teams. Regardless of what your daughter’s side coaches are telling her, she needs to do things the way we want them done. Our teams have competed at a high level for some time now. We have tried some different things along the way and experimented with different styles. We have changed and modified some things from when we started. We have studied college programs and listened to these coaches speak and we have gone to clinics to better ourselves. Most of what we teach is based off what we learned from what most college coaches seem to be looking for in a player.
- Our way has earned us multiple State Championships and very high finishes in National events, including one National Championship in the past 3 years. We have had nearly 70 players from this program go on to play at the next level in the past 7 years.
- Are we perfect and get everything right? Maybe not. But I believe we know what we are doing and we continue to build a strong program and continue to have our players move on and be ready to play at the next level.
- We do not have the financial resources and the numbers of players to draw from as teams from other states do. We are not a national type program with players from other states and coaches who have played on the USA team or in the Olympics and who are on the payroll. However, we have been able to build a program that has a strong Regional presence and is beginning to have a presence on a National scale, and we are drawing the attention of some highly competitive college programs at all levels and from all areas of the country.
- More importantly – we have coaches who care about all of our players and want them all to succeed and be ready to play at the next level.
Players will be expected to:
- Be prompt and on time at all times. This means parents must be responsible for getting their daughters to games and practices on time.
- Be ready to work hard, play hard, and have fun.
- Bring a positive frame of mind to each practice and game.
- Be respectful of and toward coaches, other players, both opposing and on our team, opposing coaches, and umpires.
- Attend all practices and games unless otherwise cleared in advance by the coach to be absent.
- Participate in team fundraisers
- Pay their player fees on time
- Wear their uniforms in a respectable manner, meaning that shirts are always tucked in.
- Hustle – All the time. We do not walk, we run. A slow jog is not hustling. This includes during practice as well as games.
- Having fun while staying focused is encouraged!!
We understand that players and individuals have bad days. That unforeseen circumstances arise. We will work with families and players in these circumstances. However, we must also draw the line in the best interest of keeping consistency within the program. Players displaying undesired attitudes or behavior will be addressed by the coaching staff. Should the undesired behavior persist, disciplinary action may be taken which may include the benching of a player, or the expulsion of a player if deemed necessary for the betterment of the program. Unexcused and “Non noticed” missing of practice or games will result in the benching of a player for at least two games. Continued misses may result in expulsion from the team. Excused or notified misses may still result in a player not starting or playing in the next team event. Players are expected to be at practices and events. Vacations during June and July, which conflict with our schedule are not excused misses. This program is for the player who is serious about bettering themselves and playing at the next level.
Displeasure with the coaching staff or the program in general should be discussed with the coaching staff or program director in a manner that does not affect other players or families of the program. This should never be done prior to, during, or immediately after a game, and never in front of other players or parents of the programs. The coaching staff will be open to listening to any suggestions/complaints that a parent has, but only in a non-combative manner and again, not in the presence of other players/families.
Parents are also expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively upon the program. Parents or relatives who do not adhere to this may be asked to leave. Believe it or not, college coaches look at this as well. Your behavior in the stands could affect your daughter’s ability to be recruited effectively. And college coaches are a tight nit family. They talk to each other about players and families all the time.
We don’t believe the Iowa Blitz program is for everyone. However, if you feel the above information is in line what you are looking for in placing your daughter into a competitive program, then the Iowa Blitz may be for you.
Blitz Summer Fastpitch Fees:
Spring and Summer combined (March thru July) includes 10-11 events, 5-6 travel (Exposure) events = $1700 plus the cost of additional equipment and uniforms, which players keep. Each player will look alike.
Summer only, no Spring events (Mid May thru July) includes 5-7 events = $1200 plus cost of equipment/uniforms.
- 3 jerseys = $75
- 2 pair of pants (one of each kind) = $70
- Navy = $25
- White = $35
- Belt = $5
- Boombah Bag = $70 for bat pack, and $100 for the catcher’s bag
- Helmet – fitted Schutt helmet with face guard and decals = $45
- ¼ Zip pullover warm-up - which can be worn on the field of play for a game. It has the player’s name and number on it = $45
The above items are those that we can provide. The ¼ zip pullover is optional and not every player needs to have one. We do not allow sweatshirts or jackets to be worn on the field of play, but this warm up can be worn since it has the player’s number. Other items needed and will be on your own are………
- Carolina colored socks
- Navy and White long sleeve undershirt – These are optional, but if an undershirt is worn, it needs to be navy or white as dictated by the coach on any given day. Some players opt to purchase the pull-over and wear it instead of an undershirt. This is fine.
- Cleats can be either White or Navy in color
- Team colors are Navy, Carolina Blue, and White with a little gray mixed in here and there
Depending on the team a player is on, our teams will be going to Denver, CO; Tulsa, Ok; Toledo, OH; Kansas City, MO; Rosemount, MN; and possibly Atlanta, GA or Palmdale, CA. Should any of our teams qualify for a nationals event or want to attend a nationals event, the cost to do so will be additional to the stated fees above.
If you are interested in the Blitz Summer Exposure Program, please complete the form below.