Our History
The Tulsa Shootout held it's first tryouts in August of 2003 at the YWCA fields in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were approximately 25-30 girls at that tryout. The tryouts were conducted by Krystel Markwardt and Crystal Clay. Markwardt and Clay selected twelve players from that original tryout to make-up the Tulsa Shootout, a first year 14u team. Since inception, the Shootout has continually improved. Our first ASA National in 2004, resulted in a "two and out" 65th place finish, tied with thirty-one other teams for last place. In 2006, our original team competing at the 16u ASA "A" Nationals in Seattle, Washington, finished tied for 17th. Over the years, each of our teams have qualified for ASA Nationals in their age group. We have also competed every year since the beginning, in Colorado at the College Exposure Tournaments. Our first Fireworks Tournament in 2004 we finished tied for 17th out of 68 teams. In 2006 we finished runner-up out of 60 teams. Our Gold team now attends the Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament in Boulder, CO. This tournament is by invite only.
In August of 2006, 3 years after the original team was formed, The Tulsa Shootout became The Tulsa Shootout Fastpitch Organization. Under the direction of Krystel Markwardt, teams were added at the 12, 14, and 16u age groups, along with the original team moving up to the 18u Gold level. The four teams are comprised of 51 girls with 2 coaches for each team. The goal of the additional teams is to further develop fastpitch softball in Oklahoma. By reaching these athletes at a younger age we hope to develop and nurture them into premier athletes who can compete for scholarships at successful Collegiate Programs. |
Our Coaches| Krystel Markwardt is the Head Coach of the Tulsa Shootout's 18u Gold Team as well as the Head Coach/Founder, of the Tulsa Shootout Organization. Krystel played high school softball at Berryhill High School on the outskirts of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Krystel received All-Conference Awards all 4 years, as the pitcher for the Lady Maidens. In her senior season, Krystel earned All-Region and All-State Honors, while guiding the Maidens to an Oklahoma State Championship Runner-up. She attended College at The University of Tulsa and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. Krystel's performance in the circle earned her honors as "Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week" while at the University of Tulsa. After her Senior Season at SOSU, Krystel returned for one year, as a Student Assistant Coach for the Lady Savages (renamed Savage Storm in 2006). Markwardt has been the Head Softball Coach at Sequoyah High School (4A) in Claremore Oklahoma since 2004. She also teaches Language Arts (English) and Pre-Algebra. Krystel spent two years prior to that, as the Head Coach at Muskogee High School (6A), in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She has coached two other summer travel teams, Oklahoma Ice (2 years), and the Sooner Magic (3 years). Krystel owns a softball training facility in Tulsa called The Perfect Swing Sport Center, where she provides private lessons in pitching and hitting. | Tim Burton is an Assistant Coach and Hitting Instructor for the Tulsa Shootout 18u Gold Team. Tim has actively coached in the Tulsa area for over 30 years. Previous to the Shootout, he coached a highly successful summer team called the Oklahoma All-Stars. The All-Stars developed a reputation as a team with very strong hitting. Tim has coached several players who have successfully gone on to compete at the collegiate level, including his daughter who currently plays for Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Tim has coached in ASA Championship play in 9 different appearances, finishing as high as 9th place. Coach Burton's reputation is well respected in the Tulsa area as a hitting coach. In addition to coaching the 18u Gold Team, he assists with hitting instruction for all the Shootout Teams, and provides private hitting lessons at the Perfect Swing. | | Casey Ramsey is the Co-Head Coach of the 14U Tulsa Shootout. She attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. Casey played competitive softball for the Tulsa Shootout for 5 years. She played multiple positions and always brought great leadership to the field. Casey was cut short of continuing her softball career in college due to a hip injury. She has decided to give back to the community by coaching with the organization she grew up playing for. | | Amy Mills is the Co-head Coach of the 14U Tulsa Shootout. Amy is currently playing softball at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN. She is a Sophomore and has started as catcher for Austin Peay for two season. Amy played for the Tulsa Shootout since the opening day of the organization. She has been dedicated to our organization for many years. She will bring loyalty, leadership, and college softball knowledge to the field for the 14U team. | "I am very confident that our coaching staff is second to none. Having coaches that have played in the organization or coached in the organization for years is a great thing. They already know the expectations and how important it is to keep the upstanding reputation that we have established over the years." Krystel Markwardt |
page last updated: 2/22/11 |
