Henderson youth softball team finds unexpected success

By Sean Ammerman

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | midnight

The Desert Arsenal went into their second softball tournament with meager expectations.

The Henderson-based 12-and-under club team was formed in late August, giving the girls a limited amount of practices before their Bullhead City, Ariz., tournament Oct. 12.

Having success in the tournament seemed wasn't expected, but the girls posted a 3-2-1 record to qualify for July's Triple Crown World Series in St. George, Utah. One of the victories came against the Lil' Rebels, one of the Las Vegas Valley's most respected club programs.

"We expected to lose bad our first time out because we just didn't think we were ready," Desert Arsenal coach Tony Perez.

With the game tied at two in the third inning against the Lil' Rebels, infielder Chelsi Stewart hit a run-scoring single to give the Desert Arsenal the lead. Pitcher Tara Webster held the Lil' Rebels scoreless the rest of the game to seal the 3-2 victory.

"That was a very big deal," said Webster, an eighth grader at Barbara and Hank Greenspun Middle School. "They have been together for a long time and I think they thought they could beat us easy."

The Desert Arsenal wound up taking third place — not bad for a brand new team.

"We tried to put together a team of girls who were friends but would still challenge each other to make a good solid club," Perez said. "These girls really have heart."

Perez formed the club to give Henderson-area girls a chance to improve beyond the recreational level.

Other established club teams are based outside Henderson, said Perez, who hopes to start a 14-and-under squad next year. Their roster consists of girls zoned for the Silverado, Basic, Foothill and Green Valley highs.

"We need to get more teams out here," Perez said. "I want to go to a high school and say that kid went through our program."

The team is made up of 13 girls, most of whom played in the recreational Henderson Girls Softball Association last spring.

Fenixx Henderson, who Perez said could be a top pitcher for Green Valley High in a few years, played against Perez in the recreational league. Henderson said the team was successful because it developed chemistry quickly.

"We really lightened up a lot once everyone got to know each other and the coaches got along with everybody," she said. "I like their great attitudes and how they try to encourage us all the time. They're a little tough on us but not too tough."

They practice two to three times a week at Charles Silvestri Middle School, and are preparing for their next tournament, which will be in November in St. George.

The Desert Arsenal's coaching staff includes Collin Manwarren and Greg Stewart, who both started coaching their sons in baseball. The two approach softball like baseball and their style has garnered support from team parents.

"When we put it together we made sure that built it around good people who get along," Stewart said. 'Something like that can ruin a team quicker than anything.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].