When Federal Way National upset favored Chinook 1-0 in the District Little League Majors Softball Tournament of Champions championship match up at the Federal Way National Complex on Friday, June 11, it was more than a one-season achievement. It was the topping on the birth of Federal Way National's first year of fielding a Little League Majors softball team following a four-year building effort.

After steady progress of setting a new foundation each year, including last year's Triple-A franchise, the National Charter was poised to make the step up to Majors and took advantage of its opportunity against an undefeated regular season opponent who had not been scored upon during the regular season.

The Nationals actually posted only one hit during the entire ball game, but capitalized on that hit to score the eventual winning run in the first inning.

Alex Haven drew a walk and subsequently stole second base. With the runner in scoring position, Aleah Adams hit a dribbling grounder down the first base line. Fielding the ball cleanly, the first baseman dropped the ball while making the tag.

During this sequence, Haven just kept running and steamed home for the only run of the game.

"I just like took my time and didn't worry about the counts," said pitcher Dani Ward, who hurled a three-hitter with five strikeouts in the six-inning game. "Instead of worrying about bad plays, I focused on the good plays. They never got runners past second base."

Catcher Adams viewed her responsibilities from behind the plate.

"Dani likes to pitch the ball inside and low most of the time, but I spotted her on a few batters. In a word, it was just unbelievable."

Concentration and hard work were key components to the season and the tournament.

"We all tried to keep our heads in the game," observed Madison Magruder after joining her teammates in singing "We are the Champions". "We deserved this because we worked for it and tried our hardest."

Ironically, the heart and soul of the organization, manager Brian Westberg, missed the title encounter (his only absence from the team all season) due to previous out of town commitments. The stretching out of the tournament due to the persistent rain and water-soaked fields caused the conflict. Final night matches had to be moved frrm Auburn's Sunset Field to the National Complex.

Nevertheless, manager Westberg still had a hand in the coaching despite being physically away. Before the game a letter from him was read to the team. He also called the team and received the victory screams on cell phone after the game.

Among the team wishes were the comments, "We wish you were with us" and "We love you".

Assistant coach Gary Haven took over the head coaching and received the dunking of ice water after the game.

Still soaked form the drencing, coach Haven expressed his thoughts.

"The girls played hard," he said. "The pitcher threw a lot of strikes and the fielders played their positions well. They had fun and they were ready."

National began the tournament with a defeat of South Hill before knocking off Kent to reach the title game.

TOC team members for Federal Way National are Tivona Tinsley, Alex Haven, Sam Simundson, Aleah Adams, Tricia Hultman, Sophie Afework, Dani Ward, Morgan Vance, Madison Magruder, Hannah Davis, Gennie Summers, Alexis Smithwick and Emily Sanchez.

Assisting manager Tom Magruder are coaches Gary Haven, Romi Afework and Monica Adams. Brian Westberg is the league president.