“If this happened years ago, I might not even be here. Maybe it wasn’t supposed to happen so I could influence some young men’s lives and their families and a number of people around the country in showing them what perseverance and character can do for you in the long run. I'm hoping I gave people the same hope my mom and dad gave me.” — Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker after winning the 2022 World Series
Nominate a Steel Coach, Athlete and Team for the Steel Sports National Xcellence Awards
The Steel Sports National Xcellence Awards are back for 2022 as the annual program recognizes Steel coaches, players, teams and staff for their achievements during the past year. The nomination process is currently open for Regional Coaches of the Year, Core Values Champion and, new for this year, the Team of the Year. Two more new awards are being introduced this year: Play of the Year and Athlete of the Year.
Coaches of the Year will be selected from each Steel Sports region, and from those honorees the Tommy Lasorda National Coaches of the Year will be named. Be sure to "Save the Date" for Monday, January 30, as Steel Sports will again host a live, online Awards Show to recognize the finalists and winners. More details will be announced soon.
STEEL SPORTS FAN SHOP LAUNCHES
The Steel Sports Official Fan Shop has launched at shopsteelsports.com. Pick up your Steel branded apparel, accessories, bags, drinkware, blankets and more before the holidays. There are shops for Steel Sports, Steel United, Team Steel, Lasorda Legacy Park and The Rave Athletic Complex. New designs and products will also drop on a regular basis.
National Coaches Day
Every day is National Coaches Day at Steel Sports, but the rest of the world recognizes that day on October 6. To honor and appreciate our coaches around the country, we launched a #CoachMonday social media campaign to highlight the impact they make on youth athletes and in their community. Check out our social channels every Monday to learn more about our special group of coaches who put Kids First.
Steel Supports Annual SKECHERS FRIENDSHIP WALK
Steel Sports, Steel Partners and Steel Well took part in the 14th annual SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk on October 30 at the Manhattan Beach Pier in California. Steel Sports has been a sponsor of the walk for many years as the event supports kids with special needs as well as public education. This year, players, coaches and parents from Team Steel CA came out to help give away cool swag including pink wrist bands and Kids First stickers. A record 19,500 people registered to walk, and more than 3 million dollars were raised!
FELICITY DAY HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD
United Soccer Coaches has named Felicity Day as the 2022 Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award winner for her outstanding contributions teaching coaches and service to the game.
A longtime United Soccer Coaches coach educator, Felicity is the 23rd person to receive the prestigious recognition from her peers. Felicity is Steel Sports VP of Experience and a coach with Steel United Massachusetts, and she serves as Coach Developer for many of USC's educational courses in Massachusetts and across the country.
"Felicity has been a member of the United Soccer Coaches instructional team for 19 years. During this time, she has always presented outstanding content to all of the coaches she has been in front of. While her delivery of content is outstanding, it's her demeanor and professionalism that is most prevalent. Her receiving this award solidifies her standing as one of the best coaching educators for United Soccer Coaches." — Vince Ganzberg, United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Education
Felicity will be presented The Berticelli Award on Friday, January 13, in conjunction with the 83rd annual United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Pink is an everyday color at Steel Sports, but in October it takes on a very special meaning. Steel United teams from around the country showed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by adding pink socks, making signs and encouraging donations to fight breast cancer. Lasorda Legacy Park hosted the annual Think Pink Baseball Tournament with dozens of teams showing their pink and joining the fight.
Eric Karros VISITS WITH TEAM STEEL CALIFORNIA
Team Steel California's 12U baseball team got a nice surprise at an October weekday practice when former MLB Rookie of the Year and Los Angeles Dodgers great Eric Karros came to visit. Eric is a Steel Sports Advisory Board Member, Steel Partners Board Member and current FOX Sports commentator.
What made the visit incredibly special for Eric was that his two sons, now playing baseball at UCLA, played at the same field in Hermosa Beach as Little Leaguers. Eric spent time with the players talking baseball and their dreams on and off the field. Of course, he discussed his coach and mentor Tommy Lasorda, encouraging the boys to always believe!
WASHINGTON ATHLETE NAMED TO SEATTLE MARINERS HOMETOWN NINE
Congratulations to Steel United Washington’s Kiley Sledge on being named to the Seattle Mariners Hometown Nine Class of 2027! The Hometown Nine prepares young people for athletic and academic success and a future as community leaders. Also a fastpitch softball player, Kiley (seen in the front row, right at :26 in the below video) will be a part of the program for the next five years through her senior year of high school. Watch the video as Mariners players surprised the newest class of eighth graders, officially welcoming them to the fellowship.
On FIELD SUCCESS
On October 22, the Somerset County New Jersey High School Final was competed between Bridgewater-Raritan High School and Bernards High School. Out of the 22 players that started the game between both teams, 14 play for Steel United, 22 players including the substitutes. Bridgewater-Raritan won the game 4-1, and all the goals were scored and assisted by Steel United New Jersey players.
Team Steel 2026 won the Wood Bat Fall Finale Championship at Lasorda Legacy Park. They battled in rough conditions to win the final 4-0 and only gave up two runs all weekend. Steel United Texas 08 Girls Team went undefeated at 6-0 in their Fall Classic League. Coach Lucio Gonzales said, "I couldn't be more proud of this team, and to be called 'Coach' by this group is an honor and a privilege."
Staff Spotlights
Congratulations to October's Staff Star Pete Dunbar from New York and Social Impact MVP Adam Tourle from Texas! Pete recently stepped into a new role to take over programming at Lasorda Legacy Park in addition to the work he's doing on the field with his Team Steel teams. He is the consummate teammate, helping out wherever and whenever he's needed, especially during a busy tryout season. Pete also coached his two teams to winning the Brookhaven league on Long Island.
Impact, by definition, is to have a strong effect on someone or something. With recent adversities in Texas, it is apparent how impactful Adam Tourle is for his players and families alike. He is a great example of a coach and leader who demonstrates care and invests in authentic relationships with our Steel families.