
Ar
ctic Blast Contact Information
AB Coordinator: Jen Hendrickson
Twitter - @ArcticBlastSB
Facebook - Arctic Blast Softball
General info:
The Minnesota Arctic Blast is an EP Fastpitch Association-supported club program that is based in Eden Prairie, with teams at the 14U and 16U levels.
Teams consist of athletes from Eden Prairie as well as other communities who desire to play at a higher level and fully commit to a very competitive schedule that includes out of town/state travel. Arctic Blast coaches have a high level of experience (either playing or coaching at the high school or collegiate level).
This program provides the opportunity for some year-round training and/or individual instruction, clinics and team practices. We are supportive of multi-sport players and offer ways for them to improve their game and connect to the team in the off-season as well. During the primary softball season players are expected to make softball their priority sport and are expected to attend all practices and games.
Home fields for games and practices are Miller Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Team Specifics:
The goal of all teams is to play at the highest level possible and attend a national tournament. For the 2023 season, our teams will play in the USA Softball Gold League and at least one National Tournament. We also offer opportunities for players to attend college showcases and competitive local tournaments.
Over the course of the last couple of seasons the Arctic Blast program has developed a year long program for both the single and multi sport athlete. These programs include the use of instructors that have played and instructed at the highest levels of the sports. Players will have the ability to grow to the level of their desire.
In addition to the on field dynamic Arctic Blast players are expected to be the best teammate that they can be. The sport of softball gives players the opportunity to flourish both on the field and off. Our players are encouraged to be the most well rounded player that they can be.
Mandy Matula: 

In 2013 Arctic Blast lost a member of its family in player and coach Mandy Matula. Mandy spent her summers in an Arctic uniform and upon graduation and after a decorated career at the University of Minnesota Duluth Mandy returned to the program as coach and mentor. To honor Mandy the 2013 Arctic Blast 14U team began wearing jerseys bearing a yellow softball with the number 14 in it on the back of their jerseys. To this day you will see the jerseys with the number 14 make an appearance from time to time.
In 2019 the Arctic Blast club program in partnership with Lisa and Wayne Matula and Eden Prairie Fastpitch established both the Mandy Matula Tourney and the Mandy Matula Memorial Scholarship. The tourney each fall celebrates Mandy's love of the game while giving those effected by Mandy a chance to give back.
The Mandy Matula scholarship is awarded each spring to an individual/s that have come up through the Eden Prairie Fastpitch program and have given back to the game. Mandy Matula scholarship past scholarship winners are
2019 - Mikayla Runge
2020 - Julia Goetz, Emily Grein, Lara Welter
2021 - Abby Sailer, Addison Lyon
2022 - Ella Isaacson, Priya Wolf
2022 - 14u Gold State 3rd Place

2022 -16u Gold State 3rd Place
2022 - 16u 3rd place Sioux Falls Ringneck

2022 - 14u Down and Dirty - Runner Ups

2022 - 16u Region 8 Gold Qualifier - Runner Up
