A group with more than 80 years of softball coaching experience is combining the former Erie Frost and Cambridge Crush travel organizations to form “814 Elite,” a travel softball organization spanning the tri-state area.

“814 Elite has been carefully built to change travel softball in northwestern PA, western New York, and northeastern Ohio by having the resources to provide the best player and coaching development in the area,” said board president and recruitment coordinator Maureen (Bailey) Wolfe, former McDowell High School head softball coach. “814 Elite was created to provide more opportunities for the athletes than what currently exists across our area.”

In addition to Wolfe, the board of directors includes co-vice presidents Angie Mumford and Brian Sanders, treasurer Ray Kraus, secretary Abby Sallot, pitching instructor Greg Evans, and player evaluator Kelli (Rohan) Reese. For information on the board of directors, visit www.814Elite.com.

“We will have premier and regional teams that will ensure training and development for all players along with continual internal competition,” said Wolfe. “Whether premier or regional, we will change what is considered ‘normal softball’ to a higher level through challenging schedules on a consistent basis. Our goal is by the time they reach 16U and 18U, they have had the experience and development to play at the showcase level and to play in front of college coaches. Internal competition will occur with a larger player pool and continual evaluation by our non-parent evaluation committee to ensure that we are elevating players who show growth. The organization is designed to demonstrate flexibility to move between the regional and premier levels as necessary. Our larger player pool will allow us to have many players vying for their position to ensure maximum growth. This will also give us the numbers to accommodate multi-sport athletes and have backups within the same organization in case of injury or absences.

“We will accomplish the development of players and coaches in the off-season at Gannon’s tremendous indoor Rec and Wellness Center, where we have 80 yards of turf to develop players and coaches,” she said. “During this time, we practice as an organization to develop each player equally with all coaching and board members being involved with the practices and practice plans. We will ensure each player is divided into groups that will challenge them at the highest level and pair coaches up accordingly for development. With the experience of our staff, we can guarantee your player will receive elite training that will result in tremendous growth for all during the off-season.

“Finally, 814 Elite will do all this and still have the low dues that Erie Frost and Cambridge Crush has always been known to have,” added Wolfe. “With the use of our 501c3 and multiple fundraising events, it is our goal to be an organization with one of the lower costs in the area.”

Tryout times and locations will be announced soon. They will be in the Erie area July 24-26, the Edinboro/Cambridge area Aug. 1 and 3 and Aug. 13 at a location to be determined. Teams will be chosen by an evaluation committee consisting of no parents of players in that age group. Private confidential tryouts are also available.

For information, visit www.814Elite.com, Facebook at 814EliteSoftball, or Instagram at 814Elite.