Polson teams excel in Splash Tournament Classic

Four Polson teams were on display at the three-day Splash Softball Tournament Classic that was hosted at the Polson Softball Complex June 9-11.

Several teams came from all over the region at various age groups and ability levels to showcase their talent from ages 10U all the way up to 16, 18U.

Polson High School softball coach Larry Smith’s construction of a softball dynasty is well documented but what isn’t as well documented are the coaches and feeder teams behind the Lady Pirates’ machine.

Smith said he felt the majority of the groundwork and the foundation for his Polson softball team was laid here.

The Polson 12U Purple Wave team shined in their 19-5 victory over the Columbia Falls Town Rebels to capture the championship. The 12U team’s accomplishment, is just the start for these prospective Lady Pirates. According to Lady Pirates’ skipper Larry Smith, this is only the beginning for the Purple Wave and other Polson softball teams.

“You know that is what our summer program is for,” Smith said. “This is all a learning experience in order for these kids that want to compete at the high school and varsity level in the spring time.”

Smith expounded more on the success of the Lady Pirates’ feeder system.

“It has shown past experience helps us play and be competitive in the summer, so, when the kids come into high school they are ready to play,” Smith said. “It takes them time to catch up and gives the people that played in the summer the leg up on those who haven’t.”

Of the several talented teams that were on display, the one Smith said he was “most impressed with” was the 18U team from Great Falls.

“They were the most talented team by far and the most well organized,” Smith said. “They were just a well-oiled machine and they played that way. Mechanically, they were very sound. They were just a well coached bunch of athletes. Our team is a little green as we’ve only had two practices together prior to that. We are a young team and have different people. It takes a little while for them all to get acquainted and find their own identity. For the lack of playing experience, our kids did very well.”

Smith credits the coaches at the 10U, 12U, and 14U level.

“That’s been the key from the very beginning because these players want to grow up to become Lady Pirates,” Smith said. “They really need to learn camaraderie, perform as individuals knowing their teammates have their backs, and just trust one another. Eventually, they build that trust and positive attitude about each other.”

Smith credits the coaching staff for cultivating these teams.

“This all comes from the quality coaching that we are getting,” Smith said. “I really appreciate what is going on in the field. I appreciate the coaches and parents that put in the time and effort and perform the way they did. The most satisfying thing is that they are home grown Polson athletes.”

Bob Thiel is one of the coaches that is helping sculpt these teams.

“At this age right now, there are several 8th graders going into high school and they are trying to get a taste of being on the freshman team,” Thiel said. “We are literally trying to prepare them. toughen them up a little bit and get them ready for high school.”

Coach Ken Druyvestein said he felt the turnout for the SPLASH Tournament was good this year.

“This is our fundraiser concession, and as far as the entry fee goes, it allows us to play in other tournaments,” Druyvestein said. “A lot of club teams will charge money to keep the costs down. We only recruit Polson girls and we have developed them from 10U to keep them in the high school program.”

Druyvestein credits a lot of the parents for devoting time to make this entire team run.

“There are a lot of dads which spend their free time at practice,” Druyvestein said. “There is a bond between a dad and a daughter, and that is something every father (or parent) should experience.”