There are travel ball teams that pack their rosters with talented, training-crazed athletes who are laser focused on winning championships and getting their players to the collegiate

This team… isn’t one of them.

In fact, the Purple Flying Dachshunds (PFD)—yes, that’s the real name of the team—is built for one thing that you don’t always see in sports these days… fun.

Matt Schultz, the mad scientist behind from Canton,Ga. (in the North Georgia area), who created the team with a silly name (but serious talent), describes the reason the three-year-old program was started in the first place:

“It’s a pick-up team I’ve done the past few years on off weekends,” he begins. “I bring together some very talented players and we’ll play up in an event and usually place or win it. We even played as Softball Girls in a B-Ball Tournament last winter and it was tons of fun.”

There’s that f-word again (fun) and it leads a three-prong team mantra for the Dachshunds team.

“We’re a bit of a science project—seeing if I can get girls to gel, coach themselves (mostly) and have an absolute blast. They play loose, under little to no pressure, but they still have that competitive fire in them and we are built for three reasons:

1. 1. Have fun,
   2. Make new friends, 
   3. Kick butt!

The PFD squad has grown from 10U girls to 14U over the last three years. The teams are one weekend only with every weekend potentially the last.

The idea for Purple Flying Dachshunds came about to get some talented girls together to play ball on an off weekend. We’ve done just regional events so far, but the idea is to always create a ‘playing-up’ challenge or similar theme for the weekend.

Why PFD?… which has to be the first required question asked.

“It was partially a lesson in not taking yourself too seriously and having fun playing a game you love,” Coach Schultz explains. “And partially because I’m a big dachshund guy!”

“I’m a huge fan of the dachshunds—I have two currently—and the ‘purple’ comes from my Baltimore roots and being a Ravens fan.”

With this unusual approach to building a team – and certainly gelling as an ensemble is certainly not what the Dachshunds are built for – the next question posed for the dog-loving coach was:

“Do you see adding more PFD teams or will this be a one-and-done after they age out?

Coach Schultz, with his typical quick quip, explained it’s up in the air (get the “Flying” tie-in there, as in Purple Flying Dachshunds)?

“PFDs play every weekend like it’s their last—which it very well may be,” the coach offers. “Of course, that’s until the next time!”

Schultz describes his purple-clad warriors as a “team of 100 percent free agents.  I find an event that looks challenging and hit the phones to find players. I have a t-shirt guy who’s been Johnny on the Spot last minute too.”

The team isn’t as local or even as regional as one might think. 

“We’ve had girls now from four states in the same weekend on the team. We’ve officially held one practice in three years to prep using a 12” ball when the girls were still using 11.” 

Fun is definitely atop the three-goal list but right behind it is making friendships along the way.”

“What I love most about softball are the relationships we make, the competitive spirit in each girl and the love and support they show each other,” the team lead explains.

“It’s unlike any other sport. PFDs bring girls who are normally opponents together as teammates for the weekend to Have Fun, Make New Friends and Kick Butt!”

And, Schultz is quick to add: That concept applies to the parents too!”

Next question for the softball-loving dad: what is your coaching style for these quickly assembled kids?

“As a softball coach, I’m more of a rah-rah guy,” Coach Matt begins, “as opposed to being able to teach the actual fundamentals and such.”

“With PFDs, catchers call pitches, girls usually coach first base, slappers call their shots… it’s a collaborative effort. I jumble the lineup and mix up positions and we’ve done signs before, but I’m usually so telegraphic about it that I give up!”

“Communication among the girls is key with being thrown together on average five days before we play. They, the players, had done pretty amazing each time out and they can play free and play loose. No matter what—and they know this and willingly accept it—they all get cut and return to their regular teams after the weekend’s final out!”

The third element that is serious for this team is to play competitively and, though quickly assembled for this team, develop the skills and experience to play college ball.

“The PFD alumni will eventually boast many college programs across all levels,” Schutlz predicts. “They’re hard workers, amazing teammates and, overall, just wonderful kids. These girls are really good and many will play at the next level.” 

The final positive is the reaction others are having to the Purple Flying Dachshunds.

Coach Matt concludes:

“A 10U coaching friend once told a team of ours that no matter where they ended up, he would always be a fan of theirs,”

“I’ve always applied that principle in the years to come, especially with the PFD alums. We can’t avoid big smiles seeing each other in the weeks and months to come, remember the fun of Purple Flying Dachshunds.”

“It’s a privilege getting to be a small, fun-loving part of their softball journeys.”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

*****

A PURPLE FLYING DACHSHUND CHRONOLOGY… 

Descriptions are from Coach Matt Schultz

April 2021… 2-1-1 GSA (GA), made Gold Bracket, Lost R1 vs 2008 Team. All 10u 2010s, challenge was moving back 5’ pitching with the big ball in a 12u Tournament. Girls were so competitive and bummed over their R1 exit! Made lots of lasting relationships this first time out. 

August 2022… Top Gun (SC) 5-1-2, Co-Champs. All 12U eligible schoolball girls playing 14U. Lucked into Gold Bracket—a team miraculously tied—giving us the tie-breaker over them. Lost Gold Bracket 1, but then ran table all the way into ITB shootout. Skies opened up in the 5th(!) tie-break inning, declared a tie for the ‘ship. This was a fun one for the girls who have never done a travel softball road trip. Pool party and lots of fun!

November 2022… TITAN (GA) 5-1, Champs. 12U 2010 girls playing up in 14U. IT WAS SO COLD! Lots of new friendships made that weekend, Coach Matt STILL owes the girls a wiener dog tattoo for the win!

October 2023… PGF (GA) 6-1, 14U Runner Up. ‘Always get the extra pool game!’ Made the Gold Bracket Champion Game and lots of new friends. Winning runs left on base after towering would-be walk-off shot caught in deep right to end comeback rally. 

November 2023… PFD: BASKETBALL EDITION! 4-1, Runner Up. Softball girls playing basketball! We brought together local middle school basketball players who also play travel and school Softball. We beat a few really good teams along the way, but shots wouldn’t fall in the Championship Game. 

April 2024… Top Flight USA (GA) 4-1, Champs!!!. Took home the Easter Baskets! All 2010 squad playing up in the HS A Division. Just a magical day. Great weather, comebacks, walk-offs, thrills, chills and Uncle Steve! Really solid competition on the day and managed to battle teams with college commits from Juco to D1. Featured three returning OGs on the 3rd Purple Flying Dachshunds (PFD) anniversary!!!