On this episode of Foul Pole to Foul Pole, we sit down with Tony Rico. Tony is the president of Firecrackers Softball Inc. The Firecrackers organization is based out of Southern California and is one of the premier fastpitch organizations in the country. With teams in 27 states around the country, the Firecrackers' imprint on the game is more evident than ever. Through personal growth, hard work, and a will to help others succeed…Coach Tony Rico and the Firecrackers brand are now synonymous with fastpitch softball! Each year the Firecrackers continue to play in the biggest tournaments, against the toughest teams.
After Tony graduated from Cal State Los Angeles in 1988, he began giving private instruction. He played baseball at the collegiate and international levels. He then worked in a variety of professions, including the physical therapy industry, before he became hooked into the realm of fastpitch softball.
After playing overseas, in 1991, Tony entered the fastpitch travel ball world. As a single parent, he gave lessons at home while working in charge of player development under the FC founder, Gary Wardein, in the first generation of Firecracker teams. Tony eventually took over the program in 2003, and over the next 15 years he would establish the Firecracker standard of success by winning every major national championship in the U.S. He also led the charge to a Junior World Championship with Team USA in 2011 under the head coaching of colleague Karen Johns. He created relationships based on respect with his competitors that has allowed him to establish a foundation with other influencers to create the necessary changes needed in our industry. In 2011, he collaborated with now administrator Melinda Manahan to start what is now Firecracker Softball, Inc.
Tony, along with his four siblings, was born and raised in Bellower, CA. He’s the son of a WWII veteran, John, and an amazing mother, Carmen. Tony welcomed his son, Jon, in 1991, and in 1995 took on the full responsibility of raising his stepson, Sean, along with Jon. Tony has always held his family close to his heart and believes he has a greater purpose in this life, which he strives to fulfill every day.
The Firecracker Mission
Our mission is to provide a level of training to our players that ensures the highest level of social and athletic development and growth.
Playing the game professionally, having self-respect, and respecting others are the core values that this program was built upon. Being a Firecracker means you understand that you are beautiful, confident in yourself, and very capable of playing this game. Most importantly, you are striving to make the decisions that will provide you happiness for the rest of your life.
Play With Honor
PLAY with HONOR is intended to be a constant reminder that we are thankful to those that provided the things we have today. We want those who fought for us to feel appreciated every time they see us wearing “Play with Honor” apparel.
Can we ever say thank you enough to our soldiers, our parents and grandparents, our teachers, and anyone else who has “fought” to give us the lives we have? When we wear our PWH apparel, we are spreading a message of thanks for the world to see.
Tony is also heavily involved in The Alliance Fastpitch. As the head of Coach and Player Development, Tony has his thumbprint on the backbone of the on-field product. His vast knowledge and love for the game are perfect for helping to grow the reach and impact of the Alliance. The Alliance Fastpitch was officially founded in the Summer of 2020, but the story began as a shared desire for change amongst leaders in youth fastpitch two years prior. The vision for collaboration, enhanced competition, and athlete-centric decision fueled the idea of The Alliance Fastpitch.

Firecrackers Softball Inc.⬇️
https://firecrackersoftball.com/
https://twitter.com/Firecrackersinc
https://www.facebook.com/FirecrackerSoftball

Tony Rico⬇️
https://twitter.com/tonyrico
https://twitter.com/firecrackerrico

The Range⬇️
https://www.rangepitching.com/
https://twitter.com/Range_Pitching

The Alliance Fastpitch⬇️
https://thealliancefastpitch.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheAllianceFastpitch
https://twitter.com/thealliancefp

Black Diamond Softball & Fitness⬇️
https://www.facebook.com/BlackDiamondSoftballFitness
https://twitter.com/BDSoftballFit
https://www.instagram.com/black.diamond.softball.fitness/

Official Sponsor of the "Foul Pole to Foul Pole" podcast
Tigress Fastpitch Gloves⬇️
https://tigressgloves.com/
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