Team TFS Coaches Contact Information

Team TFS 18u Head Coach - Robert Powell

Team TFS 16u Head Coach - Nathan Russell

Team TFS 14u Head Coach - Mike Stigall

Team TFS International Player Jessica Owens story!!!

FORT WALTON BEACH — Jessica Owens can barely stand the thought of hanging up her cleats, glove and bat.

After becoming one of the most accomplished softball players in Samford University’s history, the former Fort Walton Beach star excelled this summer for a United States club team that participated in the Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament.

Owens proved that she belongs in the batter’s box facing world-class competition, and that’s made her wonder if she’s got a future in softball.

It’s her past and what she’s already achieved on the diamond that caught the attention of the Fort Walton Beach-based All Sports Association, which has honored Owens as its 2010 Amateur Award winner.

“I was actually really shocked. I had no idea I’d have a chance to win,” said Owens, who will attend the All Sports Association’s 41st Annual Awards Dinner on Feb. 19 in Fort Walton Beach.

Owens, who is the daughter of Fort Walton Beach football coach Mike Owens, joins Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan (Professional Award), Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller (Wuerffel Trophy), LSU baseball star Blake Dean (Collegiate Award) and Special Olympics champion Melanie Comer (Special Olympian Award) in the current crop of All Sports award winners. Along with the honorees, LPGA Tour legend Annika Sorenstam has been announced as the guest speaker.

“We’re very proud of Jessica’s accomplishments in her college career and certainly as an amateur the work she’s done in international softball,” All Sports President Robert McEachern said. “She and her family are longtime Okaloosa County sports enthusiasts.”

Owens was among an elite group of college players selected to play for Team TFS (The Fastpitch School) International at the Canada Cup, which was started in 1993 as an international women’s fastpitch developmental tournament.

Before facing international competition, the six club teams who were invited competed in a tournament, and Owens helped TFS International capture first place. Against international opposition, TFS International knocked off the national team from Netherlands before falling to Canada and Venezuela.

For her part, Owens batted .303 with seven runs and six RBIs while batting leadoff and playing center and left field. TFS International coach Michael Bastian said Owens found a comfort zone after initially struggling with the enhanced level of competition.

“As time went on and we played more games, she really played well,” Bastian said.

Owens was encouraged enough by her performance that she’s hoping to continue her softball career by one day playing professionally in Europe. Part of the appeal of playing for TFS International was to make connections in the international softball community.

“I’m just kind of playing the waiting game,” she said.

Samford coach Beanie Ketcham probably doesn’t feel that Owens should have to wait long after watching her during her history-making career with the Bulldogs. She finished as the team’s all-time leader in runs (100) and stolen bases (58), and was second in hits (181) and batting average (.317). Her 20 steals in 2008 is a Samford single-season record.

“She was always a gamer, always somebody you could depend on when the game was on the line,” Ketcham said. “ … We saw tremendous growth over the span of her career. Not only from an athletic standpoint, she developed and matured as a person.”

All Sports noticed those qualities as well.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the area I’m from,” Owens said. “It’s neat to know that when you work hard for something, it pays off.”

Click to hear Interview with Coach Michael Bastian

Sponsored by SoftballJunk.com