Much Gratitude

After 10 years coaching with the Carolina Cardinals, (16 years travel ball overall) I have been presented with a wonderful opportunity to further enhance fastpitch softball in our region and will be moving on from the Cardinals. However I owe so much gratitude to Ray and Sharyn Chandler, Rick McHone and the entire Cardinals organization for the opportunities they provided my 2 daughters and me. The Cardinals have changed my life and opened doors for my daughters that would not have happened without the Cardinals.

I will forever be indebted to Ray Chandler for teaching me what it means to be a coach of young women and how to have your priorities in order. The way Ray carried himself on and off the field and the respect he had for his players and families, will forever be ingrained in my mind. Ray was a quiet man, but was a man's man. It is due to his efforts, we have fastpitch softball in NC today.

So it is with mixed emotions I make this change, but with this change, I hope to continue and promote the game as Ray did. It is because of my time with the Cardinals, this opportunity came to be.

Beginning Monday, the Firecracker organization from California will be expanding to NC. The organization will be known as Firecrackers NC. At this point we are planning have at least 2 teams and possibly more, depending on interest and if the right people want to be involved. Firecrackers Softball

The Firecrackers are not well known in NC, however they are considered to be one of the premier fastpitch organization in the country. Our goal in NC is will be to follow the blue print that has been so successful for Firecracker teams which will include developing players into confident, young women who have a beautiful persona and want to play softball in college. We will play at the highest level possible while giving back to our community and recognizing veterans

Under the guidance of Tony Rico (longtime head of the Firecrackers) and me, the Firecrackers NC will strive to achieve the principles that Ray Chandler set forth and give back to the players and families more than just a uniform and tournaments. One of the Firecracker motto's is "Play With Honor" and we will do just that.

The Firecrackers NC are also fortunate to have Taryne Mowatt as part of our organization. Taryne will be working with all our pitchers to further develop their skills on and off the field.

Watch the softball tryout section with info coming soon.

For more info, or questions please send an email or call.

Firecrackers Softball

Thanks and thank you again Cardinals!

Ben McKinney
[email protected]
336-782-3642