13U Desert Firebirds Baseball Team

2007-08 AZBN 12U State Champions

2006-07 AZBN 11U State Champions

Welcome to the web site for the 13U Desert Firebirds baseball team!

The Desert Firebirds organization also has two 14U teams--Firebirds Gold (Majors) and Firebirds Red (AAA).  The Firebirds Gold team, which began play in 2004, won the Arizona state championship as a 12U team in 2006-07.  The 14U Firebirds can be found at www.desertfirebirds.com.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Desert Firebirds Baseball Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to enriching children by teaching them life skills via the game of baseball.

While we work hard on the field to improve our players' skills, we ask them, in turn, to give back to their community.  The Desert Firebirds Baseball Club sponsored the Arizona Little League District 6 Challenger Program in 2007 and 2008 and staged a baseball skills camp for 50 inner-city Boys & Girls Club youth in 2006.  We're proud to invest our time and money into programs that serve Arizona kids.

If you're interested in making a tax-deductible donation to aid the Desert Firebirds Baseball Club with its endeavors, please contact club president Brent DeRaad at (480) 206-8327 or bderaad8@hotmail.com.

The 13U Desert Firebirds are managed by Brent DeRaad with Jeff Lace and Bob Shaps serving as coaches.

We thank the following sponsors of our team!

Platinum: Shaps family, Gabel family, Fiesta Bowl, J. Paul Rhodes 

Gold: Allen family, DeRaad family, Gainey Ranch Golf Club, John Graham, Grayhawk Golf Club, Kilgour family, Ksobiech family, Lace family, Lineberger family, PDG America, RAM Holdings, RIESTER, In memory of Albert Schmidt--A great baseball dad!, van Ark family

Silver: Greer family, Hester Heitel Insurance, Hunt Construction, Husk Partners, Martinez family, Samples family, Van's Golf Shop, West Coast Turf

Firebirds Sponsored Little League's "Challenger" Program

The 13U Desert Firebirds baseball team is proud to have sponsored in 2007 and 2008 the Arizona Little League District 6 "Challenger" program for kids and young adults who are challenged physically, emotionally or mentally.  The Challenger program allows these deserving athletes to learn the game of baseball, while having fun with their teammates, coaches, and Little League "buddies" who assist them on the field.

We thank Desert Foothills Little League in Scottsdale for hosting the Challenger games and commend them for their outstanding work again in 2008 in providing the participating athletes with an incredible experience.

Upcoming Schedule

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 -- 6-7 p.m., Batting Practice, Thunderbird Adventist Academy, 7410 E. Sutton Drive, Scottsdale

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 -- noon-2 p.m., Scrimmage vs. 14U Firebirds Red, Cocopah Juniors Field

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 -- 6-7 p.m., Batting Practice, Thunderbird Adventist Academy, 7410 E. Sutton Drive, Scottsdale

Saturday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008 -- USSSA Toys for Tots

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 -- 6-7 p.m., Batting Practice, Thunderbird Adventist Academy, 7410 E. Sutton Drive, Scottsdale

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008 -- noon-2 p.m., Practice, Cocopah Middle School

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

Friday, Dec. 26, 2008 -- 4-5 p.m., Batting Practice, Thunderbird Adventist Academy, 7410 E. Sutton Drive, Scottsdale

Saturday, Dec. 27-Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 -- USSSA Winter Nationals

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 -- 7-9 p.m., Practice, Desert Canyon Middle School

2008-09 13U Results

USSSA Thanksgiving NIT

Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008

Chandler Reds 6,  Firebirds 2 (Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 6,  Nogales Roadrunners 5 (Playoff)

Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008

Desert Dragons 4,  Firebirds 3

Firebirds 16,  Muddogs 9

Friday, Nov. 28, 2008

AZ Aztecs 6,  Firebirds 2

USSSA American Classic (Firebirds finish 3rd)

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008

AZ Blaze 4,  Firebirds 3 (Semifinal)

Firebirds 9,  Warriors 1 (Quarterfinal)

Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008

Firebirds 11,  Desert Sluggers 3 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 18,  Desert Dragons 0 (Pool Play)

USSSA Halloween Scream

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008

Nitro 5,  Firebirds 2 (Quarterfinal) 

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008

Firebirds 14,  North Glendale Wolfpack 1 (Pool Play)

AZ Blaze 3,  Firebirds 2 (Pool Play)

USSSA AZ Fall State Championships (Firebirds finish 3rd)

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008

AZ Aztecs 15,  Firebirds 13 (Semifinal) 

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008

Firebirds 2,  AZ Blaze 2 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 9,  AZ Aztecs 0 (Pool Play) 

Triple Crown Fall Nationals Las Vegas (8th out of 34 teams) 

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008

Armour Elite (Calif.) 20,  Firebirds 8 (D1 Losers Bracket Semifinal)

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008

Firebirds 13,  Nogales Roadrunners 6 (D1 Losers Bracket)

HB Nitro Elite (Calif.) 9,  Firebirds 1 (D1 Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 6,  Los Angeles Sun Devils 2 (Division 1 Playoff)

Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

Firebirds 6,  San Diego Doubledays 5 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 10,  SoCal Outlaws 9 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 12U Final Record (2007-08)

65-10-2 -- 8 Tournament Championships

Cooperstown Dreams Park, Cooperstown, N.Y. -- Congratulations Firebirds for finishing 2nd out of 98 teams!

http://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/2008WeeklyResults/CDP2008WK8/2008WK8_Championship.html

Thursday, July 31, 2008

West Boynton Wolverines (FL) 5,  Firebirds 2 (Championship)

Firebirds 7,  Frozen Ropes Blast (FL) 6 -- 8 innings (Semifinal)

Firebirds 8,  Brentwood Storm (TN) 5 -- (Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 5,  Houston Wranglers (TX) 3 (Round of 16)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Firebirds 7,  Legends Lightning (TX) 3 (Round of 32)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 -- Firebirds conclude pool play 7-0 & #1 seed out of 98 teams

Firebirds 14,  Matawan Huskies (NJ) 2

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Firebirds 7,   Gambrills Titans (MD) 3

Firebirds 9,  Times Corner Crush (IN) 2

Monday, July 28, 2008

Firebirds 12,  South Cheektowaga Stampede (NY) 0

Firebirds 10,  South San Francisco Fog (CA) 1

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Firebirds 16,  Barrington Travelers (IL) 0

Firebirds 14,  Farmington Indians (CT) 0

Super Series Memorial Day Tournament (Firebirds finish 3rd)

Monday, May 26, 2008 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Aztecs 5,  Firebirds 1 (Semifinal)

Sunday, May 25, 2008 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 12,  Desert Dawgs 3 (Pool Play)

Saturday, May 24, 2008 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 11,  AZ Tigers 3 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 4,  Aztecs 2 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds for winning the Super Series Cinco de Mayo Tourney!

Sunday, April 27, 2008 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 9,  AZ Tigers 8 (Championship)

Firebirds 10,  North Glendale Wolfpack 6 (Semifinal)

Saturday, April 26, 2008 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 17,  Nitro 7 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 13,  N. Glendale Wolfpack 3 (Pool Play)

Triple Crown Spring Training Championships III (2nd place out of 28 teams)

Sunday, March 30, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Westlake (Calif.) Coyotes 5,  Firebirds 4 (Championship)

Firebirds 9,  Whittier (Calif.) 2 (Semifinal) 

Saturday, March 29, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Firebirds 11,  Bulldogs (Wash.) BBA 1 (Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 9,  Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Bulldogs 1 (Playoff)

Friday, March 28, 2008 (Tempe Sports Complex, Tempe)

Firebirds 13,  El Paso (Texas) Cobras 0 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 6,  Lake Forest (Calif.) Titans 5 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds for winning the Triple Crown Rod Rubino Classic!

Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Firebirds 11,  Dirt Devils 0 (Championship)

Firebirds 4,  Tucson Cardinals 1 (Semifinal) 

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Firebirds 10,  Muddogs 1 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 2,  Tucson Cardinals 1 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds for winning the Super Series Winter Classic!

Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008

All games rained out.  Firebirds win championship due to earning the #1 seed in Saturday's pool play. 

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Firebirds 10,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 5 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 9,  AZ Blaze 1 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds for winning the USSSA MLK Tourney!

Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Firebirds 4,  AZ Blaze 1 (Championship)

Firebirds 8,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 3 (Semifinal)

Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Firebirds 14,  Muddogs 2 (Quarterfinal)

Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 (Big League Dreams, Gilbert)

Firebirds 5,  Desert Dawgs 4 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 7,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 7 (Pool Play) 

Congratulations Firebirds for finishing second at the Super Series Winter National Championships!

Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

SC Spartans 8,  Firebirds 7 (Extra Innings - Championship)

Firebirds 9,  Backyard Boyz 8 (Semifinal) 

Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 9,  Nitro 7 (loser's bracket semifinal)

Firebirds 7,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 0 (loser's bracket quarterfinal)

Monday, Dec. 31, 2007 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Southern California Spartans 4,  Firebirds 3  (3rd round winner's bracket playoff)

Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 11,  Nitro 6  (2nd round winner's bracket playoff)

Firebirds 9,  New Mexico Nighthawks 4  (1st round winner's bracket playoff) 

Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 17,  New Mexico Nighthawks 0 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 11,  AZ Broncos 0 (Pool Play)

Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 4,  Southern California Spartans 4 (Pool Play-Tie) 

USSSA Holiday Classic 

Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Gauchos 4,  Firebirds 2 (Quarterfinal) 

Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 16,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 4 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 8,  AZ Blaze 0 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds for winning the Triple Crown Thanksgiving Tourney!

Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 (Desert Canyon Middle School, Scottsdale)

Firebirds 11,  Nitro 1 (Championship) 

Firebirds 12,  Scottsdale Thunder 2 (semifinal)

Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 (Desert Canyon Middle School, Scottsdale)

Firebirds 10,  Garden of Gears 0 (Pool Play)

Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 (Desert Canyon Middle School, Scottsdale)

Firebirds 15,  Scottsdale Stars 0 (Pool Play) 

Triple Crown Harvest Classic (Firebirds finish 2nd) 

Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007

Desert Dawgs 4,  Firebirds 2 (Championship)

Firebirds 9,  AZ Clash 1 (Semifinal)  

Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007

Firebirds 31,  Round Valley Vipers 1 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 19,  Peoria Grizzlies 2 (Pool Play) 

Congratulations Firebirds for winning the Super Series Halloween Scream!

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 4,  Desert Dawgs 0 (Championship)

Firebirds 5,  AZ Patriots 3 (Semifinal)

Firebirds 7,  Sun Devils 0 (Quarterfinal)

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Nitro 7,  Firebirds 6 (Pool Play)

AZ Patriots 5,  Firebirds 4 (Pool Play) 

Congratulations Firebirds for winning the Super Series Fall Classic II!

Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 7,  Nitro 1 (Championship Game) 

Firebirds 6,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 2 (Semifinal) 

Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 15,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 3 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 12,  Nitro 7 (Pool Play) 

Triple Crown Fall Nationals Las Vegas (6th place out of 40 teams)

Saturday, Sept. 15

Orange County Hawks 5,  Firebirds 4 (Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 8,  Las Vegas Cobras 0 (Top 16 Round) 

Friday, Sept. 14

Firebirds 10,  Las Vegas Barracudas 2 

Firebirds 8,  Norwalk Stingrays 6 (Pool Play)

Congratulations 12U Desert Firebirds for winning the Super Series

Labor Day Classic for the third consecutive year!

Monday, Sept. 3 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 7,  Desert Dawgs 6 (Championship)

Firebirds 6,  AZ Broncos 0 (Semifinal)

Sunday, Sept. 2 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 15,  Tucson Cardinals 1 (Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 18,  AZ Broncos 0 (Pool Play)

Saturday, Sept. 1 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 16,  AZ Tigers 1 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 12,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 10 (Pool Play)

Desert Firebirds, 11U Arizona State Champions, 2006-07

52-10-2 Record, 9 Championships in 14 Tournaments

USSSA Memorial Day Tournament -- Saturday, May 26-Sunday, May 27, 2007 -- Big League Dreams, Riverside, California & Placentia Sports Park, Placentia, California

Sunday, May 27, 2007 (Placentia Sports Park)

Blue Wave 8,  Firebirds 2 (Playoff)

Placentia Mustangs 4,  Firebirds 3 (Pool Play)

Saturday, May 26, 2007 (Big League Dreams, Riverside, California)

Norwalk Stingrays 4,  Firebirds 3 (Pool Play)

NorCal Grizzlies 5,  Firebirds 2 (Pool Play) 

Congratulations Firebirds on winning your second consecutive Super Series Easter Classic!

Saturday, April 7, 2007 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 11,  Aztecs 1 (Championship)

Firebirds 10,  Muddogs 6 (Semifinal)

Friday, April 6, 2007

Firebirds 10,  Aztecs 2 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 10,  Muddogs 3 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Triple Crown Rod Rubino Classic!

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007 (Snedigar Park, Chandler)

Firebirds 5,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 4 (Championship)

Firebirds 16,  AZ Blaze 3 (Semifinal)

Firebirds 9,  Nitro 0 (Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 15,  Desert Dragons 0 (Pool Play)

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007

Firebirds 4,  AZ Thunderbirds 4 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 7,  AZ Clash 0 (Pool Play forfeit--Clash only had 8 players)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the USSSA Winter Classic!

Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 10,  Nitro 0 (Championship)

Firebirds 8,  Tucson Cardinals 4 (Semifinal)

Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007

Firebirds 15,  AZ Blaze 0 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 11,  Rage 0 (Pool Play)

Triple Crown MLK Classic (Firebirds finish 2nd)

Monday, Jan. 15, 2007 (Ingleside Middle School, Scottsdale)

Gauchos 4,  Firebirds 3 (Championship)

Firebirds 6,  Lake Forest (Calif.) Titans 3 (Semifinal)

Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007

Firebirds 6,  Lake Forest Titans 4 (Pool Play)

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007

Firebirds 14,  Scottsdale Stars 2 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 3,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 1 (Pool Play)

Super Series Winter Nationals (Firebirds finish 2nd)

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007 (Sports Park, Glendale)

Silicon Valley (Calif.) Yankees 4,  Firebirds 1 (Championship)

Monday, Jan. 1, 2007

Firebirds 4,  Rocky Mountain (Colo.) Armour 3 (Championship Play-In Game)

Silicon Valley Yankees 4,  Firebirds 0 (Semifinal)

Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006

Firebirds 3,  Nitro 2 (Quarterfinal)

Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006 

Firebirds 11,  Rocky Mountain Armour 4 (Playoff)

Friday, Dec. 29, 2006

Firebirds 4,  Rocky Mountain Armour 1 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 3,  AZ Rebels 1 (Pool Play)

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006 

Firebirds 8,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 4 (Pool Play)

Super Series Toys for Tots (Firebirds finish 3rd)

Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 (Tucson Sports Park, Tucson)

Sombrero Peak Cats 3,  Firebirds 2 (Semifinal)

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006

Firebirds 14,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 5 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 6,  Sombrero Peak Cats 3 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Triple Crown Thanksgiving Duel in the Desert!

Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 (Copper Ridge Middle School, Scottsdale)

Firebirds 14,  Nitro 13 (Championship)

Firebirds 5,  Muddogs 2 (Semifinal)

Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006

Firebirds 10,  Bolts 0 (Quarterfinal)

Firebirds 10,  AZ Clash 2 (Pool Play)

Friday, Nov. 24, 2006

Firebirds 12,  Apache Junction Warriors 0 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 16,  Sun Devils 0 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Super Series Veterans Day Classic!

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 10,  Nitro 2 (Championship)

Firebirds 7,  Sun Devils 0 (Semifinal)

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006

Firebirds 12,  CZBA (Texas) 0 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 10,  Knickerbockers 8 (Pool Play)

Friday, Nov. 10, 2006

Firebirds 7,  Nitro 5 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Super Series Halloween Scream!

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 (Rio Vista, Peoria)

Firebirds 3,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 1 (Championship)

Firebirds 11,  AZ Rebels 4 (Semifinal)

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006

Firebirds 11,  AZ Blaze 1 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 15,  Ahwatukee Cardinals 5 (Pool Play)

Super Series Fall Classic II (Firebirds finish 2nd)

Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Nitro 13,  Firebirds 10 (Championship)

Firebirds 7,  Latin Kings 3 (Semifinal)

Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006

Firebirds 16,  AZ Rebels 0 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 2,  Nitro 2 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Super Series Fall Classic I!

Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 (Rio Vista, Peoria) 

Firebirds 3,  Desert Dawgs 2 (Championship)

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006

Firebirds 20,  AZ Heat 1 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 12,  Peoria Grizzlies 0 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Super Series Labor Day Classic for the second consecutive year!

Monday, Sept. 4, 2006 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 7,  Nitro 4 (Championship)

Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006

Firebirds 2,  Gauchos 1 (Semifinal)

Firebirds 5,  Latin Kings 3 (Quarterfinal)

Nitro 11,  Firebirds 10 (Pool Play)

Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006

Firebirds 13,  Latin Kings 0 (Pool Play)

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Super Series Easter Classic!

Saturday, April 15, 2006 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 8,  Gauchos 0 (Championship)

Friday, April 14, 2006

Firebirds 14,  AZ Rebels 4 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 13,  Wacker 0 (Pool Play)

Desert Firebirds' 10U Tournament, 2005-06

Congratulations Firebirds on winning the Super Series Labor Day Classic!

Monday, Sept. 5, 2005 (Victory Lane, Phoenix)

Firebirds 8,  Knickerbockers 6 (Championship)

Firebirds 11,  Predators 9 (Semifinal)

Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005

Firebirds 6,  Litchfield Park Tigers 4 (Pool Play)

Firebirds 26,  Verde Valley Bandits 0 (Pool Play)