After a month-long losing streak Ball State University junior and softball coach Allison Adkins didn't think her team had a chance to win the team's final tournament of the season. That's when her group of 10 year olds surprised her by finishing second in the tournament that secured the team a bid to the U.S. Specialty Sports Association 10U World Series in Branson, Mo. which began Wednesday .
"Going into the tournament, I did not expect to win, let alone the tournament," Adkins said. "They definitely took me by surprise."
Adkins' team, Bustos Ultimates, based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, is part of a group of teams ranging from 10 years and under to 18 years and under. Adkins played for the organization and her 18 years and under coach asked her if she would be willing to coach the 10 and under team. Adkins said coaching the group has been a challenge, but a joy.
"It's been a good first year of coaching," Adkins said. " It's been an adventure. I've been lucky to learn as much from them as they have from me. They have definitely taught me patience and to not take everything so seriously, and the importance of keeping the mood light with younger kids."
The team began practicing in April while Adkins was still in Muncie. She was able to attend two practices before the team's first tournament in late April. Bustos Ultimates won their first two games of the tournament but then began a month-long losing streak that would carry them to the qualifying tournament for the World Series. After losing the first game of the tournament, Bustos Ultimates fell into the 'Silver' bracket. The team went on to win the rest of their games to win the bracket to finish second in the tournament and qualify them for the World Series in Missouri.
"I think it was attitude and confidence that got us over the hump," Adkins said. "After weeks of hard work and being together, things just started clicking. After they won their first game, I think they realized, 'Hey we can win,' and then they took the whole tournament."
Though Adkins won't admit that she played a part in the success of the team, others will. Bustos Ultimate player Sydney Walsh said she has enjoyed playing for Adkins.
"She's the funnest coach I've ever had," Walsh said. "She's way better than my daddy. When we warm up before the games, coach Allison turns on her iPod and we have a dance party."
But Adkins isn't all fun and games with her team. After every game, her players have to run for every time a player struck out looking. Adkins has spent a lot of time working with her players, including teaching Walsh the proper ways to bunt and slide.
Sydney Walsh's father Craig, who is an assistant coach, said his daughter has grown to admire her coach.
"She loves playing for Allison," Craig Walsh said. "Sydney wants to grow up to be just like her. We had to go out the other day and buy her a pair of black Nike's just like Allison's."
Craig Walsh said his daughter is not the only one who has learned a lot from Adkins and is also not the only one that has grown close to her.
"She works well with the girls," Craig Walsh said. "She has a good rapport with the girls; they like her and really look up to her."
Craig Walsh said that he has also learned from Adkins. He has more experience coaching older kids and has always played and coached baseball. He said Adkins has helped introduce him to softball and taught him the differences between the two sports.
Adkins said she thinks some of the reason her players listen to her and have grown to like her for a variety of reasons.
"I think they listen to me more because I'm not their parent," Adkins said. "I think they have more respect for me because I'm not mom and dad telling them what they have to do and I have experience playing because I've been there before."
Optimism is running high in the Bustos Ultimates' camp, as is a sense of realism. Adkins says, realistically, she is not sure of how well her team will fair, but said she wants her players to play to the best of their ability and any wins that come from that would be an added bonus. Craig Walsh shares in her opinion.
"I hope they surprise us again," Craig Walsh said. "I don't have any great expectations for this weekend. If they win one or go 0-4 and play well, I'll be happy. The capability is unlimited if they play the way they know how to play and they've shown they know how to do that."
Sydney Walsh is more confident than her coaches in her team's chances in the World Series.
"We're going to beat everyone," Walsh said. "It's a lot of fun now that we are winning. It wasn't fun when we were losing."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
