The mission of the Tidal Waves program is to create an environment, through the education of competitive softball, which promotes lifelong qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork, commitment, leadership, respect, integrity, passion, and fun.
2019
The CTW organization had its best year ever in 2019. At Nationals CTW had two champions, two teams taking 2nd place and three more teams making it to the top eight. One team was USA/ASA Chicago Metro Champs and three more made the final four at Illinois State tournaments.
The CTW organization began as a merger between the Crystal Lake Tidal Waves and Cary Crush in 2015. For the first four years the teams were known as Crush Tidal Waves. In 2019 the name was changed to CTW. In the fall of 2018 CTW ran its first national qualifier tournament known as the "Skeleton." Our year round indoor training facility known as "NexGen" with a full infield, six batting cages and a exercise area began operation. This past year Mike Johnson became the organizations new president. Jim Summaria "retired" from coaching travel softball after 13 years with the Crystal Lake Tidal Waves and CTW.
CTW had eleven teams in 2019. The most teams in our history. For the first time we had a 9U developmental team. This was prompted by having several CTW run softball camps at our new NexGen indoor facility over the winter. Two camps with over 40 participants led by the Pro Fastpitch League champion USSSA Pride players Shelby and Nicole Pendley known as the Pendley Duo Camp also created interest at the younger level. CTW had many high school softball players named All Conference, Northwest Herald All Area, Daily Herald All Area and two players were named to the IHSA All State softball team. Each team was involved with charity events such as, "Feed My Starving Children" and the "Algonquin/LITH Food Pantry."
CTW JS 18U
The CTW JS 18U team coached by Jim Summaria, Chris Schremp and Brian Armstrong had a very memorable season in 2019. They were tournament champions at the USA/ASA "A" Chicago Metro and NAFA Midwest Nationals Gold Division. They also captured 1st place in two USSSA "A" National Qualifiers and the Elgin Heat Open. They placed 2nd at the NAFA Northern Nationals Gold Division in Chaska, MN. In USA/ASA "A" National Qualifiers they had a 2nd and 4th place finish. They were the #1 power ranked 18U "A" team in the USA/ASA Chicago Metro area. Their final record was 55 wins and 6 losses.
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CTW MJ 18U
Mike Johnson's CTW MJ 18U team were the champions at the NAFA Midwest Nationals tournament in the Silver Division in Rockford, IL. They qualified for the USSSA "A" Nationals by winning the Father's Day National Qualifier tournament and came in 3rd place at Storm Dayz. They were the #4 power ranked 18U "A" team in USSSA Illinois. Their record was 26 wins and 11 loses.
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CTW JC 18U
The CTW JC 18U team coached by Jay Cutrera came in 1st place in the CTW Skeleton Fall tournament in Huntley, IL. They finished in 2nd place at the Woodside Sports Ice Breaker, Double Play Classic and a USSSA National "A" Qualifier.
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CTW SF 16U
Scott Fisher's 16U team came in 5th place at the USSSA "A" Eastern Nationals in Salisbury, Maryland and were presented with the Team Sportsmanship Award. They also qualified for NAFA Nationals by capturing 1st place at the McHenry Heatwave National Qualifier.
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CTW GF 15U
The 15U coached by George Fickas, George Kiddy and Matt Berg team had a very successful year going 50-27 in 16U tournament play. They came in 2nd place at the 16U "B" USSSA Midwest Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa and at the 16U NSA State Championship. They were champs at the Huntley Scarecrow Slam in the Fall, 2nd at the USA/ASA Pekin Insurance ShootOut and 3rd at the USSSA Burst the Bubble in Burlington, Iowa. They were the 6th USSSA 15U Power Ranked team in Illinois.
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CTW 14U MJ
The 14U team coached by Mike Johnson played a tough "A" level schedule of PGF and USA/ASA tournaments and qualified for nationals in both organizations.
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CTW 13U DD
The CTW 13U coached by Don DiSilvio finished the season with a 46-39 record playing mostly 14U and College Showcase tournaments. They came in 3rd place at the USSSA 13U "Open" Heritage State Classic Championship and finished in 7th place at the USSSA 14U Great Lakes Nationals in Evansville, Indiana.
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CTW 12U CD
Cam Delay's CTW 12U team qualified for the USSSA and USA/ASA Nationals by taking 1st place at the USSSA Schaumburg Fall Slugfest and USA/ASA Fall Fury National Qualifier.
They placed 2nd at USSSA Storm Dayz and at a winter tournament in Peoria, IL. They finished 3rd at Elgin's Sparks Classic and the Huntley Swingin' Into Summer tournaments.
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CTW 11U MC
The CTW 11U MC coached by Mike Chmiel finished their season with a 49-43 record. They had a final four finish at both the 11U USSSA Illinois State Championships in Peoria, IL
and the 11U USSSA Midwest Nationals (Gold Bracket) in Des Moines, Iowa. They placed 2nd at the USSSA Belvidere Blasters Fall Blast, Kathleen Snedeker Memorial and Take a Swing at Cancer Softball Tournaments in the 12U division. They finished in 3rd place at
Game Day Field of Screams, Woodside Rhinestone Tournament at Wisconsin Dells, WI
Glory Slamo de Mayo Tournament in Salem, WI and USSSA Rockers Rockin Summer Spectacular all 12U tournaments.
===================================================CTW 10U PH
Phil Hempen and Nicole Jordan coached the first year 10U CTW team to championships in the USA/ASA Sparks Invitational and the WSC Summer Classic (Gold Bracket) in New Berlin, WI. They placed 2nd at the Starin Park Showdown in Whitewater, WI and USSSA Storm Dayz. At the NAFA Nationals in Minnesota they made it to the top 8 teams.
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CTW 9U DK
The 9U developmental team coached by Dan Kozlowski, Brian Snelten and Curt Rupert set out to teach basic softball fundamentals to eight and nine year old girls who wanted to learn to play softball. This year's group consisted of former recreational players. The players learned valuable lessons about trusting teammates, picking each other up and working together.
2018
2016 was another strong season for the Crush Tidal Waves. Two teams were crowned State Champions and two others finished third. Five teams finished in the top 5 at Nationals.
The 10U team led by Mike Chmiel qualified for Nationals in NAFA, ASA and PGF. They took 1st in the Slammers Splash and ASA Roselle Rockers Fall Classic. They placed 2nd in the Warren Wave Wipeout and had 3rd place finishes in the NAFA State and USSSA Louisville Slugger tournaments.
Mike Johnson's 11U team had a third place finish at the Bloomingdale Blast tournament. Mike's young team came in 5th place at the USSSA State Championship and had a top ten finish at the USSSA Midwest Nationals.
The 12U team coached by George Fickas were champions in the Marengo Fall Frenzy and the NAFA Illinois Gold Qualifier. The placed 3rd in four tournaments and qualified for NAFA and USSSA Nationals.
Scott Fisher's 13U team were the USSSA Northern Illinois State Champions. The second year in a row they won a state championship. They placed 2nd in three other tournaments and also had a 3rd place finish. They qualified for USSSA and NAFA Nationals. They are the #5 power ranked 13U team in Illinois.
Playing a tough "A" schedule Mike Johnson's 14U team took 1st place at the NAFA Midwest Fall NIT and the Barrington Spring Classic (combination team). They received a bid to the ASA Nationals by taking 3rd at the Queen of Diamonds tournament. They finished in 5th place in the Gold Bracket at the NAFA Northern Nationals.
The 14U team's head coach Becky Edmundson had a good season by winning the Barrington Spring Classic and 2nd in the Mother's Day Bash with a combined Mike Johnson (14U) team.
Phil Hempen's 16U team placed 3rd at the USSSA 16U "A" Northern Illinois State Championship and 4th at the NAFA Open State tournament thus qualifying for Nationals in both organizations. They finished 3rd at the NAFA Midwest Nationals in the Silver Bracket. They placed 2nd in two other tournaments and 3rd in another.
Jim Summaria's 16U team qualified for the PGF, USSSA and NAFA Nationals. They were NAFA 16U Open State Champions and 4th at the USSSA Northern 16U "A" State tournament. They placed 2nd at the NAFA Midwest Nationals in the Gold Bracket and had a top ten finish at the USSSA Nationals. They took 2nd place at the PGF Summer Heat Wave tournament.
The 16U team led by Neil Moravick had 2nd place finishes at the Roselle Rockers, ASA Grayslake Pride and Northbrook Spartan Gold tournaments. They captured 3rd place at the ASA Palatine Stingray and USSSA Skokie Field of Dreams tournaments. They qualified for both ASA and USSSA Nationals.
Joey Finke's 16U team qualified for NAFA, ASA and USSSA Nationals. They were 2nd at the USSSA Algonquin Aces Summer Sizzler, 3rd at the ASA Aces Wild and NAFA Winter Classic tournaments. They also finished 4th in two tournaments.
The 18U team coached by Frank Gurgone took 4th place at the NAFA Midwest Nationals Gold Bracket and the ASA "B" Northern Nationals. They placed 2nd at the USSSA Lisle Slammers Fall Bash and qualified for ASA, NAFA and USSSA Nationals.
Brian Isola's 18U team qualified for the PGF, ASA and USSSA Nationals. The won the USSSA Independence Day Blast Open Qualifier and took 2nd at the PGF Heat Summer Classic. They also had a 2nd at the Warren Waves tournament. They had a top ten finish at the ASA "A" Northern Nationals.
2015
The first year of the merger of the Cary Crush and Crystal Lake Tidal Waves creating the Crush Tidal Waves was a major success. Twelve teams ranging from 10U-18U with 140 players comprised the organization. CTW teams played in forty-one championship tournament games in 2015 winning twenty-two of them. Teams qualified for Nationals in PGF, USSSA, ASA and NAFA. At Nationals, CTW teams had one champion, three 2nd and one 5th place finishes. We hosted a successful fall 10U-18U fall and 10U-14U spring tournament. In January, Randy Schneider from the University of Wisconsin coaching staff presented a fundamental skills clinic and college recruitment talk.
The 10U team led by Mike Johnson finished first in two USSSA and one NAFA tournaments. They placed second in a PGF qualifier in Roselle. They had a top three finish in the 10U USSSA Northern Illinois State Championship and qualified for Nationals in USSSA, NAFA and PGF. A great year for a first year team.
Scott Fisher's 12U team had an amazing year. Playing in ten tournaments they won eight championships and had one 2nd and a 3rd. They qualified for Nationals in USSSA, NAFA and PGF. The team was the USSSA 12U Northern Illinois State Champs and NAFA 12U Northern National Champs.
The 12U team managed by Chuck Horsheit had a 2nd place finish at an open tournament in Vernon Hills.
The 13U team coached by Mike Johnson placed 5th at the NAFA 14U Northern Nationals in Minnesota. They also took 4th at a NAFA 14U Qualifier and 2nd at an open Vernon Hills tournament.
Kurt Farnam's 14U team won 1st place at the Wisconsin Dells and a 3rd place at the USSSA 14U Fury Spring tournament. They placed 2nd in two USSSA and one NAFA tournament. They qualified for Nationals in USSSA and NAFA.
The 14U team managed by Ryan McDillon captured two 1st place trophies by winning the open Palatine Stingray tournament and a NAFA qualifier in Cary. They qualified for the NAFA Northern Nationals.
Neil Moravick's 14U team had two 2nd place finishes. One at the NAFA qualifier in Cary and the other at the open Palatine Stingray tournament. They qualified for the NAFA Northern Nationals.
Jim Summaria's 15U team played in seven tournaments and made it to the championship game in each one. They placed 2nd at the USSSA 16U Heritage State Championship in Joliet, the NAFA 16U Midwest Nationals and the 16U NAFA Northern Nationals. Their championship game at the 16U PGF College Showcase in Salem, WI was streamlined live online. They qualified for USSSA, NAFA and PGF Nationals.
The 15U team led by Joey Finke had three 3rd place finishes on the year.
Frank Gurgone's 16U team placed high in five tournaments. They won the NAFA McHenry Heatwave 16U B Bracket and won the consolation bracket at a USSSA NIT. They had two 2nd place finishes and a 3rd. They qualified for the NAFA and USSSA Nationals.
Brian Isola's 16U team played in five tournament championship games winning two of them. One NAFA and one ASA. They placed 2nd at the USSSA 16U A Northern Illinois State Championship, a USSSA qualifier and the PGF/ASA Sparks regional tournament. They qualified for Nationals in ASA, USSSA, NAFA and PGF.
The 18U team led by coach Phil Hempen finished in the top three in five tournaments. They took 3rd place at two USSSA tournaments and one NAFA tournament. They captured 1st place at the USSSA Storm Dayz and placed 2nd at the NAFA 18U Midwest Nationals. They qualified for Nationals in USSSA and NAFA.
2014
The big news for the Tidal Waves in 2014 was their merging with the Cary Crush organization. The new teams will be named Crush Tidal Waves or CTW. The 13U "A" team coached by Kurt Farnam qualified for the USSSA World Series where they finished in the top half of the 50 teams. During the season they had two 3rd and one 2nd place finish. The 14U "A" team coached by Jim Summaria won five USSSA and PGF tournaments, one 4th place and a 5th place playing up in a 16U tournament. They qualified for both the PGF Midwest Regional Championship and USSSA World Series. They placed 17th out of 48 teams playing the PGF-MRC. Phil Hempen's 18U "A" team qualified for the USSSA World Series by taking a 3rd place in Rockford. They attended the NAFA World Series and placed 5th.
2013
2013 was another good year for all the Tidal Waves teams. All five teams gained a world series berth. The 10U team coached by Steve Kram had a first, second and third place finish in tournaments and took first place in their Midwest Girls Fastpitch League. They were the 7th ranked USSSA team in Illinois for 10U "A" teams. The 12U team coached by Lisa and Kurt Farnham won two tournaments, placed third in a USSSA NIT and captured first place in their NSFPL league division. They placed 7th out of 28 teams in the 12U "B" USSSA World Series and were awarded the Sportsmanship Award. The 13U team coached by Jim Summaria had a first, second and third place finish in tournaments. They also won the consolation bracket in a 14U A" tournament and placed 13th out of 51 teams at the USSSA 13U World Series. They were the 7th ranked 13U USSSA team in Illinois. The 14U team coached by Rob Baker won the Wasco USSSA 14U Qualifier and placed second in a 16U tournament. The 18U "A" team coached by Phil Hempen placed second at the USSSA DuPage tournament and placed 4th at the USSSA State tournament. Taylor Dishinger was named to the all state tournament team. The Tidal Waves moved their indoor practices to Pro Player in McHenry, IL and Rob Baker was replaced by Jim Summaria as president of the Tidal Waves Organization.
2012
In 2012, the 11U team, coached by Lisa Farnham and Joe Albanese, captured first place in a Game Day tournament. The 12U team, coached by Jim Summaria, took first place in a USSSA Illinois Gold tournament, third place in the USSSA 12 "A" state championship and second place in a 14U "B" tournament. They also won their NSFPL league championship. Rob Baker's 13U team had another good season, ending with a top ten finish at the USSSA World Series in Iowa. The 16U O’Brien team placed second at the USSSA "B" state championship and took first place in the NAFA McHenry Heatwave "B" bracket. They had a top ten finish at the 16U "B" NSA Nationals in Indiana. The 16U Hempen team won the Waukegan Fall Brawl tournament and the Consolation Championship at Sycamore Storm Dayz.
2011
In 2011, the 12U coached by Rob Baker won six tournaments and had a second place finish at the 12U "A” NAFA nationals. The U16 team coached by Phil Hempen placed 2nd at Carol Stream and 2nd at Bolingbrook.
2010
In 2010, the 14U (Hempen) team won two tournaments and placed fourth at the state USSSA tournament in Joliet. The 18U (Albanese) was the number one ranked USSSA "A” team in Illinois and placed second at the USSSA 18U "A" state.
2009
In 2009, the 12U team coached by Phil Hempen won 4 tournaments. The 16U (Livingston) placed second at the Midwest All Sanctioned World Series.
2008
In 2008, the 14U Gold team (Livingston) won several tournaments and finished second at the USSSA "A” World Series in Orlando, Florida. They also placed second in the USSSA 16U "A” state championship.
2007
In 2007, the 15U team (Albanese) won the USSSA 16U "B” state championship and was the number one ranked 15U USSSA team in Illinois.
2006
The 2006 season featured very strong teams at the 12U, 14U and 16U levels. Scott Livingston’s 12U "A” team was ranked second in the USSSA state.
2005
In 2005, the 12U Gold team coached by Joe Albanese finished in second place in the 12U "A” USSSA World Series held in Columbus, Indiana. They were the number one ranked 12U "A” USSSA team in Illinois. The 16U "A” team coached by Bob Durlak won two tournaments and placed second in the USSSA state championship. They were the number two USSSA ranked team in Illinois.
2004
In 2004, the Tidal Waves won tournament championships at every age level with all teams attending a National Tournament. The 12U Gold team coached by Dominick Richert won the ASA Metro and went on to win the 12U "A” USSSA World Series held in Canton, Michigan. They were the number one ranked 12U "A” USSSA team in Illinois. The 16U "A” team coached by Tom Green won several tournaments plus a second place finish at the USSSA state championship. They were ranked second in Illinois USSSA.
2003
In 2003, the Tidal Waves moved to the Training Grounds warehouse in McHenry for their indoor practices.
2001
In 2001, the 16U team (Buck) finished 3rd in the AFA National tournament.
2000
In 2000, indoor practice during the winter months was switched to Prairie Ridge High School. Also, that year a 10U team was added but the number of teams remained at eight with only one 18U team.
1997
In 1997 the first season as an independent organization began. There were two teams at each age group, with a total of eight teams.
1996
In the fall of 1996, the Tidal Waves became an independent, incorporated organization. The Tidal Waves Fastpitch Organization was born and were no longer a member of the C.L.G.S.L.
1995
In 1995, the 18U Tidal Waves finished in 7th place out of 120 teams at the NSA Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. This was the first time a team was in the top 10.
1994
In 1994, the Tidal Waves began practicing indoors during the winter months at Crystal Lake Central High School. This was also the first year that the 16U team coached by Mike Buck competed in the AFA Nationals in Shawnee, Kansas and finished in the top 15.
1992
In 1992, the Tidal Waves expanded to four teams with a 12U team added.
1991
In 1990-1991, C.L.G.S.L board members and coaches Mike Buck, Mitch Smith, Carrol McLeod, Wolf Staroske, and Bob Burger developed a concept for the new organization. The Tidal Waves were formed as a member of C.L.G.S.L. Travel Division and became a true travel tournament team.
In the spring of 1991 the Tidal Waves began their first season. The three Tidal Wave teams were the 14U coached by Mike Buck, 16U coached by Jerry Newman and Darryl Torgeson and an 18U coached by Carrol McLeod.
1990
In the fall of 1990, the Tidal Waves were formed with the realization that a higher level of competition was needed for girls playing fastpitch in the Crystal Lake area. This realization became evident when in July of 1990 a 12U All Star team from the Crystal Lake Girl’s Softball League (C.L.G.S.L.) played for the first time in a true travel tournament in Rockford, IL. In order for the girls in this area to compete in high school and college the approach and view of girl’s fastpitch needed to change.