Sparks-Red, Texas Bound for the 14u National Championship after winning Springfield Qualifier

Sparks sweep through the winners bracket at the Springfield National Qualifier to win their bid to the national championship in Midland, Texas.  With everyone contributing the Sparks utilized a complete team effort with strong pitching, great defense and timely hitting to claim victory and secure their spot in the National Championship.  Great Job Girls!!! Texas here we come!

Sparks-Red  2nd place in the 16th Annual Sparks Invitational

Sparks got hot on Sunday winning four straight games to make it to the championship game.  After enduring a 2 hour weather delay the Sparks went about their business.  They sent the Lemont Rockers home by a score of 7-2.  Then scored late to outlast the Carol Stream Storm 6-5.  From there they defeated the Indiana Raiders 4-1 and won a great game against the Indy Dream 1-0.  The championship game was a hard fought battle that went back and forth, with the Ohio Slammers finally coming out on top by a score of 6-5. 

Saturday and Sunday, October 13th and 14th 

Sparks go 7-3 for the tournament to finish second.

After splitting their pool play games on Saturday the Sparks started off the double elimination tournament be defeating the Elmwood Park Lady Tigers 11-0.

Sunday morning came early as the Sparks faced off against the Homer Hawks-DB at 8am.  In a hard fought battle they loss their first game in the tournament 1-0, on an unearned run.  From there they faced the uphill battle of playing back to back games until they were either eliminated or won the tournament.

The road in the elimination bracket started with the Oak Park Windmills - Gold, whom the Sparks defeated 12-7.  Then came the Homer Hawks - Purple, and another Sparks victory 6-5.  After that the Lemont Rockers fell victim to the Sparks momentum as the Sparks won 5-4.  Chi-Town Black was the next opponent, and the Sparks avenged their loss in Pool Play and sent Chi-Town home with a 5-0 victory. Then came Stone City and a 4-3 victory for the Sparks as they rallied with 2 runs in their last at bats to avoid elimination.

After playing 5 games in the elimination bracket and sending 5 very good teams home, the Sparks made it to the Championship Game to face the Homer Hawks-DB, the same team they had lost to so much earlier in the day.

Unfortunately, the long day caught up with the Sparks and they went down by a score of  9-3, to end a day of softball that lasted 14 hours and included 7 games.

Overall, the Sparks went 7-3 for the tournament and finished second.  There were contributions by everyone on the roster that led to this great showing.

 Great Job, Sparks 14U Red!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 7th - 14U Sparks Red Sweep Doubleheader

Sparks 14U Red swept their doubleheader on Sunday with a complete team effort as they shutout the Downers Grove Outlaws in the first game 6-0 and then blanked the Lemont Rockers 5-0 to finish the off the day.  

Sunday, September 23rd - 14U Sparks Red Sweep Doubleheader

Sparks Red continue their fall campaign, sweeping a doubleheader on Sunday in Joliet.  The offense was strong as the Sparks defeated Chi-Town Silver 7-0 in the first game.  In the second game the bats were even hotter as the Sparks registered an 18-1 victory over LT Blazers Red to cap off a very good day of softball.

Sunday, September 9th - 14U Sparks Red Sweep Doubleheader

14U Sparks Red open the fall season sweeping a doubleheader on Sunday in Joliet.  The Sparks with an overall strong team performance defeated the Downers Outlaws 11-1 and the Wolfpac 9-3, behind timely hitting and solid pitching.

The Orland Park Sparks were founded in 1979, and since have developed a tremendous history of providing the best available fundamental instruction, quality competition and exposure for young athletes. The program was founded with honest values and has strived to be not only the best in Illinois, but throughout the Midwest and the nation. The Sparks have also been instrumental in providing a venue for tournaments that host several competitive teams. Additionally, many of the Sparks staff have been called upon to be clinicians for coaches, players, and umpires.

The organization has developed an outstanding tradition nationally, based on success in some of the highest-level tournaments. The Sparks teams have made repeated visits to ASA National tournaments at all age levels. The 18 & Under team has made it to the Nationals 12 consecutive years, highlighted by the 1996 Class A National Championship. Sparks teams have also finished in the Top 10 nationally on four other occasions. Because of the consistent level of success, the Sparks name has become synonymous with high-caliber softball throughout the nation.

The 14 & Under Sparks would like to thank you for visiting their page. The calendar is updated weekly with games, tournaments, and other information so please check back often. Good luck to all and see you this summer.