814 Elite is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth travel fastpitch organization. We will separate ourselves from others, by providing the necessary fastpitch opportunities for each individual player's goal and skillset. This will be accomplished by having a constant advancement/relegation model based on continual evaluation of skillset of each player. A deep player pool allows for this model to adapt to the ever-changing goals and commitments, at the youth sports level. 814 Elite will have a coaching development program to properly develop all coaches, ensuring all are up to date on the current best processes for the development of the youth fastpitch athlete, based on age. We will continually do this at the most affordable cost possible by utilizing our 501(c)(3), fundraising, and continual evaluation of costs to find the most affordable way to operate.
 

Brian Sanders, Maureen Wolfe, and Angie Mumford had been talking for months about what is wrong with the local travel softball organizations, including our own. Why is there a lack of coach development? Why do some elite softball players leave the area to play? Why do organizations not have a development plan in place for the ever-changing goals and interests of every player? Why do teams have to skip tournaments when “other sports” interfere or vacations/injuries occur? Why do we consistently see teams going to same tournaments every year and not challenge themselves? Why are teams with players that hope to play in college not taking those teams to tournaments where coaches are present? How can we create a deeper player pool that allows us to address many of the issues? How do we bring together the best, most experienced coaches in the area together for coaching, player, and team development? How do we create internal competition for the athletes to ensure they are never comfortable in their position and know they must keep working hard to not lose their spot to another player?

 Merging Erie Frost and Cambridge Crush to create 814 Elite was the answer to all these questions. After many months of drawing this out, talking with many of the top coaches in and out of the area, discussing it with College Coaches, etc., we felt confident this was going to change local travel softball and create great opportunities for all players and coaches. Once the board came together and we started putting everything down, it was a no brainer. 

814 Elite will change travel softball in the NW PA/WNY/NE OH market.