The Detroit Prospects started as a baseball travel program.
But after finding success on the baseball side, owners Nick Capoferi and Mike Rice decided to expand the model, launching a softball program with the same vision: helping athletes grow.
“A couple coaches had approached them about including softball and getting involved on the women’s side, and they thought it was a good idea. They’re really focused on development,” said Detroit Prospects 15U softball coach Noelle Schlesselman.
From the beginning, that emphasis on development has shaped everything they offer. And as the program has grown, so has the approach to helping athletes become better players. But they’ve always kept the focus on the most important part of the game: fundamentals.
“We have to start with fundamentals. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Since then, they’ve kept building. We’ve brought in strength and conditioning, and we’ve brought in hitting coaches, all that kind of stuff,” Schlesselman said.
A big part of that development happens during their winter training program. The girls go through a demanding schedule of training, but it’s all worth it when they see the work translate to the field.
“We have infielding practices once a week, specific infielding. We have outfielding-specific practices once a week. We have hitting-specific practices. And then we have, you know, just our overall practices. And sometimes we get extra workouts in, too. So it’s a lot,” said Emily Yurgalonis, a third baseman for the 15U team.
Schlesselman added, “We came out that spring and it was like we were a completely different team. It is because we focused so hard, we trained so hard, and we focused so much on all those fundamental things. It was truly like we were a completely different team.”
But the field isn’t the only place the Detroit Prospects are seeing progress.
Over the years, they have seen an increase in players receiving offers and playing at the collegiate level. And they’ve brought in even more resources to help the players gain exposure.
“We brought in RISE Showcase last year for the first time. We’re doing it again this year. So, we just are getting more college, you know, being able to talk to more college coaches and getting exposure out there,” Schlesselman said.
Keeping athletes in their program is something that’s important to them. In a day and age when players have plenty of options, the fact that athletes continue to come back speaks to the experience they’re having with the Detroit Prospects and its coaches.
“Our coaching staff is probably one of the best you’ll find. Our coaches are amazing. They’re always helping. They don’t really yell at us, but if they need to yell at us, they’ll yell at us. But it’s always instructional, giving us motivation, keeping us going. It’s a great organization,” said Bella Bridges, 15U shortstop.
