Local softball players qualify for USSSA All-American Games

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Two young softball stars will represent the Gem State this Summer, at a major nationwide tournament.

Madison Fore and Kira-Jo Bade play for Crossfire Fastpitch, a highly competitive 10U softball team in the Treasure Valley. This summer, they'll compete in the USSSA All-American Games in Florida.

The team, which is moving up to 12U next month, has consistently played against 12U teams due to the strength of their squad. Head Coach Chris Fore explained why the team competes a division up for most of their games.

"We're a 10-and-under travel team," Chris Fore said. "We play local leagues at a 12-and-under league, to get a little bit more competition for our girls, and (to) get them stronger arms, and bigger fields and (playing against) bigger kids."

For the girls, each practice is a chance to grow.

"We have been doing a lot of scrimmages against other teams and we have been practicing a lot and going into a bunch of tournaments in other states," Madison Fore said.

Bade, Fore and the other talented players on Crossfire Fastpitch have excelled in softball tournaments. The team's practice regime is a big reason why.

"Our team is somewhat unique here in the Treasure Valley," Chris Fore said. "We practice anywhere between 2 to 5 days a week. During the winter, we move indoors. They call it hibernating but it's anything other than sleeping. Our girls hit, they pitch, they catch, all winter indoors."

For Bade and Fore, the practice paid off in a big way recently. The two made the seven-hour trip to Kent, Washington, to earn a spot at the USSSA All-American Games, a premier softball competition for the nation's brightest upcoming talents. Bade mentioned her nerves going into the tryouts.

"I didn't know how much competition there was going to be," Bade said. "There were girls that I've never played against."

At the end of the tryouts, however, there was no need for concern.

"Both girls crushed their tryouts," Chris Fore said. "They had a great time. (They) met some new friends from all over the Pac-Northwest. They were given a direct invitation, which is a special team for the All-American games, based on their scores at the tryouts."

Bade and Fore will be placed on a team consisting of other highly-skilled softball players from around the country, battling to win the games over other strong squads from across the nation.

For both Bade and Fore, the trip is also a chance to meet new people and make some friends.

"I want to go there to win and to meet new girls," Bade said.

"I'm most excited to meet a new team and meet other girls that have been playing softball for as long as I have."

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwuM6cmKVlo6Szta7ApaNmqJyWxqa%2B0maorpmcnrO6ecWoqWato6jAonnApaNmmZ2av6qvwKdkoJmdmsA%3D