Flor de Caña (FDC) Softball has refined its roster and its commitment to competing at the highest levels of fastpitch softball.  In the off-season, FDC has been hard at work building on its nucleus and core strengths.  The objective, quite simply, is to build a TEAM to challenge for the 2008 National Crown.

FDC plans to attend both the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) World Series and Amateur Softball Association (ASA) National Tournament.      

FDC History

2006 -     FDC Softball (formerly Latin Heat) posted a 29-12 record to win its first Southern California Tournament Series Championship under ASA District 14.  FDC placed highest of all California teams with a 13th place finish in the 2006 ASA National Tournament.
               Notable Finishes:

• Champions: National Qualifier – Palm Springs, CA (May 27-28, 2006)
• Champions: ASA C Lancaster II – Lancaster, CA (June 23-24, 2006)
• Champions: ASA C SantaFe Springs IV – SantaFe, CA (July 22-23, 2006)
• 2nd Place: ASA C Lancaster I – Lancaster, CA (May 20-21, 2006)
• 2007 Southern California ASA – District 14 Champions
• ASA C National Tournament – 13th Place

2007 -     Flor de Caña Rums partner with FDC Softball prompting the team to change its name in honor of its primary sponsor.  Southern California fastpitch softball becomes independent from the ASA Organization and becomes an independent league known as the Southern California Independent Fastpitch League (SCIFL) with NAFA Organization affiliation.  FDC goes 29-16 and repeats as Southern California Tournament Series Champions, but drops to 25th at the 2007 ASA National Tournament.
               Notable Finishes:

• Champions: ASA C Palm Springs I – Palm Springs, CA (March 24-25, 2007)
• Champions: USSSA Ventura I – Ventura, CA (June 23-24, 2007)
• Champions: NAFA A Santa Barbara I – Santa Barbara, CA (July 07-08, 2007)
• 2nd Place: NAFA A Santa Fe Springs II - Santa Fe Springs, CA (July 21-22, 2007)
• 2007 Southern California Independent Fastpitch League Champions

2008 FDC Softball
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.”
-Aristotle

FDC enters the 2008 season as the two-time defending Southern California Champions for the NAFA “A” and ASA “C” divisions.  The 2008 squad was hand-picked for character and talent and is abundant in both.

PITCHING/CATCHING:
The heavily armed pitching staff will be headlined by Team Founder Cecilio Smalling, who led the 2007 team in every major pitching category including Wins, Strikeouts, and Innings Pitched.  Smalling, FDC’s 2006 MVP, is a solid veteran arm.  The addition of several effective horses will keep this staff fully energized.   New addition Darrin McCall brings championship pedigree to the team having been a key member of the 2007 NAFA A-Major World Series Champions Rude-Pac.  McCall, unknown to many hitters in the SCIFL, will shoulder much of the pitching responsibilities and play 1B.  As if that weren’t enough, he is the spark plug of the offense as the lead-off man and is one of FDC’s toughest outs.  The FDC pitching staff is abundant in versatility and welcomes one of the league’s best bats in Carlos Gonzalez, who will also see time at 2B.  Gonzalez is capable of breaking a game open with a clutch hit and shutting down the opposing side from the mound.  His intelligence on both sides of the ball is unmatched.  Mike Encinas adds more punch to the FDC staff and has proven that he can keep explosive offenses in check.  Encinas has pitched his best in tight situations and fearlessly attacks any hitter.  The wise  Orville “Grey Eagle” Draughn can still be relied upon to master hitters multiple decades his junior with seemingly little effort.  His knowledge of the game makes him a tremendous resource as a mentor.

C Mario Ramirez (Career: .349 BA, .537 SLG, 63 RBI) improved his already impressive offensive numbers in almost every category in 2007.  He has been a consistent RBI man in the FDC order for several years and is currently ranked #3 on the FDC Career RBI List.  Ramirez supports his pitchers with gritty defense and excellent game calling. 

INFIELD:
The FDC infield is the strongest it has ever been.  Starting at the hot corner is one of FDC’s biggest off-season acquisitions in Mike “Spanky” Thomas.  Thomas is regarded as one of California’s best in the field and at the plate.  His talent is outshined only by his heart and leadership.  The Shortstop position is a cornerstone of any defense and FDC is joined by a great one in Albert Garcia.  Garcia is a smooth hitter and was invited to join FDC because we ran out of ways to get him out.  Lou Enriquez was one of the first off-season acquisitions and has proven to be one of the most valuable.  Enriquez can and will play C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and OF when called upon.  Intelligent, patient, consistent, and clutch are adjectives that come to mind when describing Lou.  Tom Dudley, a well known and respected name in California softball venues, has honored FDC by joining the team after a hiatus from the sport.  It doesn’t appear that Tom has missed a beat as he put some great swings on the ball in his first outings.  We’re fortunate to have a man of Tom’s character on the team and the benefit of his dependable bat in the line-up.

­OUTFIELD:
FDC’s outfield has great depth and remains one of the team’s strengths.  LF Cecil Smalling, Jr. (2007: .405 BA, 5 3B, 27 RBI) is perhaps the fastest runner on the team.  His swift feet and creativity at the plate put pressure on any defense.  Don’t let his size fool you, he can put a charge in the ball.  RF Eric Smalling (Career: .413, 7 HR, 38 RBI) was voted Silver Slugger and Most Improved Player by teammates in 2007.  He plays the game with a high energy level and is emerging as one of the better players in Southern California.  His potential and passion for the game suggest he is the future of FDC Softball. CF David Carrillo (Career: .445, 23 HR, 99 RBI) will serve another campaign patrolling the FDC outfield.  Carrillo was voted Gold Glove and MVP in 2007. LF Mike Ferguson, a talented baseball and hockey player, joins the FDC family and brings a tremendous tenacity and competitiveness.  In his first fastpitch tournament, Ferguson blasted a deep homerun and showed that his athleticism and sweet swing will make an immediate impact on the FDC line-up.  OF Matt Bando joins FDC by way of Wisconsin and will strengthen FDC’s outfield and infield.  We found him from a “Free Agent” post on an Internet - Softball discussion forum.  His passion for the game and intensity make him a factor in any game and we’re sure glad we got to him before anybody else.  Matt’s youth, raw talent, and speed are expected to spark some offensive explosions in 2008.

COACHING:
Head Coach Leo Lambert will continue to manage the FDC squad.  Lambert is knowledgeable of the game and has exhibited unshakeable commitment to the team.  Coach Leo organizes practices and is always willing to share time with players to develop their skills.  Lambert will be joined in coaching duties by Sonny Jackson.  Jackson, a successful ball player in his day, brings the player’s perspective to his coaching duties.  His energy and enthusiasm are great to have in the dug-out.

WEBSITE:
Webmaster Steven Reid is responsible for the FDC website (www.fdcsoftball.com). Steven’s behind-the-scenes-contributions including photography, designs, and creative development are often unnoticed, but so important in building a first rate organization.  He was awarded the Unsung Hero award in 2006 and continues to be the driving force behind our outstanding website.

Please follow our progress and breaking developments in Team News.  Thank you for your support of FDC Softball in 2008.

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