Beech Tree News Network

This past week, a local 12U softball team, rooted here in Butler County, traveled to Oklahoma to compete in the highly competitive USSSA Road to the Show tournament. 

Coach and head of the Bluegrass Breeze organization, Josh Belcher, gives an overview of the team. 

“The Bluegrass Breeze was generated from an idea that myself and Chad and Amber Smith came up with. We wanted to start an organization that was truly about the kids, about development, and the excitement of the game. We established Bluegrass Breeze and haven't looked back, and enjoyed every minute of it.” 

In their first pool play game of the tournament, Breeze lost in a heartbreaking fashion off a walk-off hit in the bottom of the fifth. The ending score being 3-2. This mishap didn’t take the wind out of the Breeze for the rest of the tournament. In their second pool game of the tournament, they defeated Arkansas Boom 4-3 in four innings. Breeze jumped out in front during the first inning and held on through the rest of the game. In their third pool game, Breeze defeated Oklahoma Athletics 8-2 in five innings. Breeze had a strong defensive game without committing a single error. In their fourth and final pool play game of the tournament, Breeze competed in a very high-intensity game. They ended up coming back from a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the fifth with five straight hits to end the nail-biter against AP Stars Athletics. Going into bracket play, Breeze was rewarded the #1 seed. They defeated Oklahoma Athletics 6-0 in their first bracket game. Sadly, after this game, due to bad weather, the tournament was cancelled. 

Throughout every interview that was conducted, there was always one constant and that being the family dynamic of the team.

“I think what makes them special is really the family dynamic, the way they've been raised, and the way they carry themself.  They all get along and they all have such a competitor's heart. They work to get better every day and don't let anything get them down. As far as softball things go, they’re as talented as any group you'll ever see, but just as people and Christians and everything else, they really lead the way in every walk of life that they encounter,” stated Belcher. 

“This trip is more than just a normal trip to show the girls that with hard work and dedication, they can be on that field one day, and that we can all be there as a Breeze family supporting them,” from parent April Mode.  “Breeze is not just a ball team, it's a family."

 "We're thankful that the organization doesn't get rid of you if you have a bad week, a bad month, or a bad year. They coach them, they make them better, and they love one another. I'm more than blessed to be a little part of the team. It has impacted us in every way possible, from sports to social.” Christi Rothe, another parent, says. 

Callyn Smith, pitcher for the Breeze, gives us a little insight on her college World Series experience.

“I was most excited to watch Tennessee, and the player I was the most excited to see was Karlyn Pickens. She's such a great example of how hard someone should work, how you should push yourself, and see how good you can be in the future,” said Smith.

The World Series is a big stage for these athletes to showcase their skills, but also to impact the future and inspire them because they are truly the future of softball. At the end of the day, Breeze can always say that they are wholeheartedly dedicated to not just improving these girls as athletes but also to shaping them into the wonderful young ladies that they are. The Bluegrass Breeze organization is deeply rooted in religious beliefs, and they carry themselves with those morals. The girls and coaches participate in prayer before every game. If the girls play on Sunday’s they have a set time for “Breeze Church” where they go through a devotion together. While in Oklahoma, the Breeze family even had a full church service in the hotel lobby with music and a lesson. The Bluegrass Breeze 12U team’s journey to the USSSA Road to the Show tournament in Oklahoma was a testament to their resilience, unity, and unwavering faith. More than just a softball team, Breeze continues to shape strong athletes and even stronger young women grounded in family, character, and purpose.

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Story by Taylor Smith, for Beech Tree News