Tournament fees, uniforms & coaching stipends

Our mission is to create a safe place that will teach young girls life lessons through athletic development. Our goal is to help and assist minority softball players by creating higher education opportunities through the sport we love. We will show gratitude to our program and we will give back to our sport by showing high ethical standards both on and off our fields of play. Most importantly, we will create a family and we will compete to the best of our abilities!

We are looking for sponsors who can help us live out our dreams. In order to compete in tournaments, you are required to pay a tournament fee for each and every tournament you compete in. Tournaments fees can range from $650-$900 per tournament. We will also need uniforms, practice facilities and a skilled coaching staff. If you are able to donate or assist in any way, you will be making a huge difference for our softball program. All sponsors will be listed on our website at teamteflon.com! Thank you! 

As you may know, a sponsorship earmarked for an individual member of an organization is not deductible as a charitable contribution, even though the organization qualifies as a not-for-profit charitable organization under the IRS code 501-C3. However, since your business will be listed as a sponsor on our website sponsorship will likely qualify as an advertising expense. Please review this item with your tax accountant. Our tax EIN number is 88-3002887. 

MISSION:

Teflon softball is an organization focused on creating a safe haven for Black and Brown girls. We are the FIRST Black owned travel softball organization in the Midwest! Our goal is to create a safe place that will teach life lessons through athletic development. We will learn how to overcome adversity and we will create higher education opportunities through the sport that we all love. We will show gratitude to our program and we will give back to our sport by showing high ethical standards both on and off our fields of play. Most importantly, we will create a family and we will compete to the best of our abilities!

 

We are looking for sponsors who can help us live out our dreams. In order to compete in tournaments, you are required to pay a tournament fee for each and every tournament you compete in. Tournaments fees can range from $650-$900 per tournament. We will also need uniforms, practice facilities and a skilled coaching staff. If you are able to donate or assist in any way, you will be making a huge difference for our softball program. All sponsors will be listed on our website at teamteflon.com! Thank you!

ADDITIONAL INFO/INSPIRATION:

 

As a former player and current coach, I noticed a huge discrepancy within our game. If you take a look at the demographics for travel softball teams, you will find one, maybe two, token Black girls on each team. I, myself, was one of those token Black girls growing up. Time and time again, I would see young girls that look like me quitting softball because they did not believe this sport was for them or they did not feel comfortable with being the "only one." Time and time again, I would run into frustrated players who are told by their coaches that their only responsibility is to be a slapper or an outfielder. Time and time again, we see travel ball organizations discouraging minority girls from giving their talents to HBCUs or Black college coaches. How many of us have actually played for a Black coach? What percentage of Division I softball coaches are Black? How many travel ball organizations are led by women, let alone a Black woman? How many tournament are ran by Black tournament directors? The gate kept culture and the lack of representation within our sport has to change! "I think when you're around people that look like you, it builds your confidence even more. I believe in a sport like softball, where you're told (and shown) this isn't your sport, it's an important factor to have."  

The problem is, we have plenty of Black women who have played and navigated the softball world, however, they do not come back and teach the younger girls what they've learned throughout their journeys. I believe it is crucial for young girls to have role models who look like them and to have someone who has been through what they are currently going through. Someone who can relate to their insecurities and the pressures of having to be a strong black woman. My goal is to create a safe-haven for Black and Brown girls who are currently navigating the softball world. As leaders of the next generation, it is essential to spread knowledge and facilitate a helping hand that pours into our own communities. This is an opportunity that is well overdue, for both the players and the coaches. No all black team has EVER won a softball National Championship and I truly believe our time is now. Sports can create numerous opportunities, as well as, open doors for so many young girls! My goal is to create advancement to higher education through athletic development, while still having fun, competing at the highest level and creating a family.