December 1, 2016

To the Friends and Supporters of the Derby City Crush Girls Fastpitch Organization,

I would like to thank all of you who have supported our organization during our 10 years of existence. Your generous support has helped the Derby City Crush become one of the top two softball organizations in the Louisville metro area.  In 2012 we had 6 teams (shown below) and now we have grown to 12 fastpitch teams for girls ages 7-18.  Unlike most travel teams that are created solely to allow parents to coach their own kids, the Crush Organization provides college-level instruction and develops young ladies in the areas of sportsmanship and team play, both on and off of the field.  Our head coaches are all volunteers and most of them do not have a child on the team that they are coaching.  We have quality coaches averaging approximately 15 + years coaching at the high school and/or college levels who do not get paid for their time and instruction; a very important aspect of our quality organization.  Our focus is about each girl’s development, it’s not just about the “win”.  We have demonstrated that focus on player development and teamwork will culminate with positive outcomes.  In the 2013 National Softball Association East Coast World Series in Williamsburg, VA the Derby City Crush had 2nd, 3rd, and 5th place finishes in three of the 5 age groups.  There were over 270 teams from 15 different states. Recently we had teams qualify for ASA and NSA National events and had teams invited and played in the coveted Stingray Tournament in Columbus, OH and the TCS Nationals in Atlanta. This past year our 16U team finished 5th in the East Coast TCS Nationals in Myrtle Beach and our 13U team finished 3rd in the USSSA Orlando World Series with a National Ranking.  

​To continue to provide the best quality instruction, practice facilities, equipment and tournament opportunities for these young ladies, our parentspay a fee for each child on a team.  This only covers a fraction of the overall cost.  Our tournaments average $375 - $425 per team, which is approximately $4,450 every time our entire Crush organization takes the field.  National tournaments typical last 4 to 5 days and cost $750 per team.  In order to obtain enough funds to enter a minimum of 7 tournaments in preparation for the National World Series, and to acquire the necessary equipment/facilities to train, we must now venture out into the local community to help raise enough money to provide the girls an opportunity to succeed.  Our parents just can’t afford the cost and fundraising doesn’t fully make up the difference. ​

​We are a recognized nonprofit organization and have attained a tax-exempt status.  All of our sponsors are being featured on our web page at www.derbycitycrush.com .  Sponsor the organization or possibly just one team for a tournament and we will post your organization on our website.    

Thank you for your support and we appreciate every donation made to help our girls!  Go CRUSH!

Sincerely,​

​Ray Bernhagen

​President

​Derby City Crush Girls Fastpitch Organization