Nathan Nelson -Hotshot Softball

[Looney Lou]

The Hot Shots, a Travel Ball Softball team, is run by an Alumnus of UL, Nathan Nelson. There are many Hot Shot teams, probably two for each age group, 10 Under, 12 Under, 14 Under, 16 Under and 18 Under. It is a BIG deal. Generates lots of money. I read one article by a Travel Ball Softball parent who thinks he potentially spent $85K on Travel Ball since his daughter joined in 16 Under. Being a good softball player can get you a free college education. Parents think it is worth the money and time they spend.

Being on a high school team isn't "cutting it" anymore. Eye opening, huh?

[VObserver]

There are folks on RP [myself included] who do not closely follow Louisiana baseball. I would expect that many of them had to look up Nate Nelson to find out who he was.

[zephyr]

Nathan was voted the #6 best softball travel coach in the country. Good read below, enjoy.

Nathan Nelson (Hotshots Premier – Nelson)
The passion is evident: talk to Coach Nathan Nelson about his players and what they mean to him and don’t be surprised if he becomes emotional. The game and the responsibilities he feels to develop those over whom he has stewardship is something the coach takes very seriously—and therefore takes a lot of pride in. The numbers demonstrate the successful results he’s had both on and off the field. In his career, Coach Nelson has won 10 national championships including three at PGF Nationals with the most recent being this year, a 7-0 run at 16U capped by a finale win over a strong Mojo – Fisher team. Also in 2021, the Hotshots finished Top 5 in the rained out Top Club Invite or could have possibly had another trophy added to its case. Despite all the wins, however, Nelson—who played baseball at Louisiana and later in the Houston Astros organization—says it’s the people that makes his coaching role so rewarding: “Building the relationships with the players on and off the field and being able to help them grow as people and athletes is my favorite part of coaching. Watching them play at the next level is priceless and it’s all for the love of the game!” Coach James Lamar, himself in the Top 10 of these club coach rankings, says: “Nathan will always compete no matter what and he will be in the finals every year because he gets the most out of his kids.” Steven Jones, who recently rejoined the Hotshots organization after being with the program previously, is also a big fan of Nelson and his love of the game and his players. “The results speak for themselves and Coach Nelson has consistently produced great results. Not just as a coach of a team who has won multiple national, regional and local titles year after year but also as an organizational head of an program that continues to produce high level successful teams and players. The player and their development is of such huge importance to me that Coach Nelson’s proven excellence in that area was probably the primary factor for my team to return to the Hotshots organization. What he has done with the athletes on his team and in the org and how he has continued to mature and adapt is impressive.”

They rank travel softball coaches? lol

[Cajun90]

They rank travel softball coaches? lol

The money involved in top level travel sports is insane. As such you will see stuff like this.

I once talked to a parent/manager for a top level travel team in girls soccer in the DFW area. That particular year they had 6-8 open positions. To try out for the team was a non-refundable fee of something like $400.00. They had hundreds of kids try out for the team. Most of the kids who made the team were homeschooled so they could make the two a day practices.

[Cajun90]

There are folks on RP [myself included] who do not closely follow Louisiana baseball. I would expect that many of them had to look up Nate Nelson to find out who he was.

Without a doubt one of the top ten leaders to ever put on a Cajun baseball uniform. Dude drank from the fire hose.

[zephyr]

The money involved in top level travel sports is insane. As such you will see stuff like this.

I once talked to a parent/manager for a top level travel team in girls soccer in the DFW area. That particular year they had 6-8 open positions. To try out for the team was a non-refundable fee of something like $400.00. They had hundreds of kids try out for the team. Most of the kids who made the team were homeschooled so they could make the two a day practices.

Believe me, I know. We spent thousands of dollars on travel soccer and volleyball even taking us to Europe to play. I just found it pretty funny that someone is out there ranking these coaches

[IHateLaState]

Kind of hard to be a fan and not know who Nathan Nelson is.

Best team in baseball history and the emotional leader of that team.... Agree with you..

[JMV JustMyView]

Best team in baseball history and the emotional leader of that team.... Agree with you..

The best Cajun team IMO was the 2014 team.

[Looney Lou]

No, the best team was the 2017 team.

[BananaHammock]

Not a fan of these travel teams at all, just my opinion. Sorry for derailing thread.

[JMV JustMyView]

No, the best team was the 2017 team.

We were 35-21 that season and think that was the best UL team?