The birth of the Firebirds

History

The Freedom Firebirds have a long history, having their roots traced back to 1998 when the Sykesville Slammers folded into Freedom Softball and one of the first Firebirds team was formed.

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.

Below is some of the history until approximately 2010.

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.

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

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

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

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

Field Crews

Ken Whalen
Jack Diachenko
Ray Strozyk
Gary Parlette
Mike Paparazzo

Memorabilia

Red F Hat Hat from the first year of the team	Red Firebirds Hat A rare red firebirds hat from the early days of the team
Lady Firebirds Unlimited Team Hat	Tournament Patches These were required on player uniforms to participate in tournaments in the early days of the team.
Team Magnet Describe your image	2006-2008: Firebirds Helmet signed by players Signed by players of the 16u and 18u teams for Dick Smith

2003: 14u An article about the 14u B team winning the Baltimore County Championship	2003/2004: 14u Article in the Eldersburg Eagle about Robb McCormick's team
2005: 16u Winter Newsletter Before email was as popular as it is today, paper newsletters were the best way to disseminate information. Here is one from the 16u team.	2001/2002: 10u An article about Mark Lewis' 10u team winning the CML tournament from the Eldersburg Eagle
2002: 12u Sponsorships Softball funding used to be much tighter, bellow is one of the community support flyers to raise funds for the team's travels.	2003: 12u Members of the Central Maryland Firebirds, the 12 and under team in the Fast Pitch Softball league, post with coaches, parents, and sponsors as they kicked off the season on June 1. The league now offers 9 teams for a variety of ages, including high school level and children aged 14 and under, all named the Firebirds.

Newspaper Clipping,
Newsletters,
And other publications

Early
Trophies

14u ASA Baltimore County Championship Winner	2002: 12u Central Maryland Tournament Runner-Up
National Softball Association Metal	2005 Westminster Free for All Runner-Up

Catchers Clinic	Catchers Clinic
Players with Dick Smith and Keith Carney at the catchers clinic by Tim Obrian	2006 Catchers Clinic

Clinics

Team Photos

2002: 12u	2002: 12u 2nd place in Central MD championship celebrating with LTRC LAZERS 1st place
2005: 16u	2004: 16u
2003: 14u	2003: 14u Baltimore County Champions
2006	2004: Firebirds Blue Alie Schwartz who came from Howard County Youth Program (HCYP).
2004: Firebirds Blue Alie Schwartz who came from Howard County Youth Program (HCYP).	16u: Melissa Smith Pitching in tournament
2004: 16u	2004: 14u Team Photo - Chuck Struhar's team
2000: Sykesville Sparks Sykesville Sparks pitcher Anna Struhar pitching in the first 10u game circa 2000.	2000 Freedom Sparks: 10u Steve Hartman and Dick Smith talking to the 1st 10u team.
16u USSSA MD tourney	2004: 16u Team Photo
2002: 12u 2002 Central MD Tournament, 2nd place (15 team). Tournament hosted by The Firebirds at Eldersburg Elementary School in July.