The Baby Mamas were undefeated in the Women’s Summer Softball League for the third time in five seasons — until Tuesday, June 9.
“That always bites me in the butt,” laughed head coach LizBeth Fulbright after the 24-9 loss by the Baby Mamas [13-1] to the Pain Crushers [9-6]. “Anyway, [the] pressure is off. We still are in first place.”
The defending league champion, the Baby Mamas have featured largely the same core of players since the league started in 1991. In two of the previous four seasons, Fulbright’s teams have gone undefeated through the regular season and playoffs, which begin this summer Tuesday, June 23.
“The previous year, I pulled half the team together with girls that have never played softball together and we finished second,” said Fulbright, whose two daughters also play on the team. “We kind of have a little legacy core group: They call us the ‘Barbie team’ since we might look like we wouldn’t want to break a nail — but we’ve all got bruises.
“I know, for me, this is the one thing I do for myself. I’ve been playing since [Cherise] was in a car seat.”
Former Camp Verde High School state softball champions Cherise Fulbright, 24, and Jasmine Fulbright, 22, seal the defense for the Baby Mamas.
“In high school, Cherise played shortstop, but in this league, she’s in the outfield,” Lizbeth Fulbright said. “She dives and catches everything her way.”
Amanda Cannon lives up to her last name at shortstop.
“There’s guys that go, ‘I wish I could throw like her,’” Fulbright said. “She played college ball. She’s really great.”
Cannon is the daughter of Oak Creek School athletic director Janet Burrus, who also plays on the Baby Mamas with her sister, Jamie, and her daughter, Blair.
“We’ve actually been together for years,” Fulbright said. “This group of girls is family-oriented.”
Even with newcomers Jamie Emory at second base and Kayla Harkey at third this season.
“We’re all pretty competitive, but we have a lot of fun together,” Fulbright said. “There’s been times we’ve been down — maybe the other team has a few more runs than us — but we still pick each other up.”
