History

The Story

The following history of the Sykesville Slammers and Freedom Firebirds was given by Richard (Dick) Smith, one of the first team managers who is still involved in the local softball community. Coach Dick has reached out to several other previous coaches and managers to help ensure the history is capture correctly. Below are his words.

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Below is some of the history until approximately 2010.

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Original Creation

Program started in the winter of 1998 when the Sykesville Slammers Fast Pitch folded and approached Ken Whalen to merge with Freedom Softball.

Freedom had Slow Pitch tournament teams prior to fast pitch.  While some teams originally had other names, eventually we switched all of the teams to Firebirds.  The current Logo was born in 2000. "Thank you for keeping it alive". Robb and Darlene McCormick were very instrumental in getting the program started. 

From 2004-2009 Freedom also had a fall program which consisted of up to approx. 50  travel teams from MD. One team came from Southern MD. Games were played at Century High, Liberty High, Freedom Park, Eldersburg Elementary School, Hodges Park, and Piney Ridge Elementary School.  Ages ranged from 10U, 12U, 14U, and 16/18U.

The Firebirds also hosted National Softball Association (NSA), Pony National qualifiers from 2005-2008.  Firebirds also were hosts for many tournaments for many years.  

The Firebirds also went to the NSA Nationals.  NSA was king until USSSA took over the region. Freedom continued on hosting many USSSA tournaments with Tim Stevens being the initial director then eventually Ken Whalen took over.

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The Lady Firebird unlimited women's team started in 2009 and lasted until 2016.

Managed by Dick Smith 2009

Co-managed by Dick Smith, James Carroll and Bob Singleton thru 2010-2014

Managed by Courtney Burke in 2015 and 2016

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Coordinators

1998-2000: Coordinator Robb McCormick, Assistant Coordinator Dick Smith

2001-2009: Coordinator Dick Smith

2004-2007 (Fall Ball): Dick Smith was the head coordinator. Tim Stevens assisted Dick during his tenure as the coordinator.

2008-2009 (Fall Ball): Tim Stevens was the coordinator

2010-Current (2025): Ken Whalen and Sue Chaney

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1999 Spring/Summer season

10U Sparks - Managed by Dick Smith and Steve Hartman

12U Flames - Managed by Robb McCormick

14U Firebirds - Managed by Blaine Wilson

16/18U - no Team

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Head Coaches during that time period and some beyond that.

Dick Smith (Assistant & Head Coach at Liberty High)

Tom Hankinson

Robb McCormick (Assistant & Head Coach at Liberty High)

Jack Diachenko

Blaine Wilson

Tim Stevens (Assistant Coach JV Century High)

Steve Hartman (Coached Varsity at Century High)

Mark Lewis

Ken Pugh

Kurt Hider

Donna Stallworth

Scott Smith (Assistant Coach Varsity Liberty High)

Kim Perdue (Head Coach Century High)

Heidi Woods

Steve Barry

Mike Trail (Assistant Coach Varsity Liberty High)

Will Stecher

Matt Levine

Mark Wedekind

Geoff Overton

Casey Miles (Former Firebird player)

Chuck Struhar (Head Coach Long Reach, Assistant Coach JV and Varsity Liberty High)

Jim Nelson

Tom Williard

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Field Crews

Ken Whalen
Jack Diachenko
Ray Strozyk
Gary Parlette
Mike Paparazzo