HC Storm Fastpitch

09/02/2026

I know we don't have a HUGE following over this way yet but please share away and let's see if we can help Kimbra out in the Atown area. Every family that has joined us from that area in the last couple years has been nothing but AMAZING... We'll have some Storm items up for sale before long, she needs to get caught up with her local orders first but let's help a local business GROW!

I’m so sorry for the lengthy post🫣 but I need some help!

I have the best sort of problem to have - My business radius is expanding (which is awesome) but it’s causing me to run into a couple logistical issues and I’m hoping maybe there will be some contacts in this group that could help!

➡️I do not offer a porch pickup option. I wish I could, but I live in the country on a road with no traffic and I want to keep it that way….for a number of reasons! Because of this, I have always done my best to be as accommodating as possible for deliveries. I hate paying shipping too! I take bulk orders to workplaces, schools, coffee shops..heck, I have even delivered single orders to porches for no extra charge! Sometimes just because I’m close by and sometimes because someone asked..But it’s becoming overwhelming - I still don’t mind taking bulk or large orders to one place but the problem is that sometimes that place doesn’t work for a couple people and then I have to figure something else out and it’s exhausting😂and not something that any other business does…But sometimes it’s also just easier than holding onto a package forever or doing all the messaging to coordinate a meet up place - we all have crazy schedules!

I would love a storefront, but unfortunately at this time it doesn’t make financial or logistical sense for me. I have TONS of ideas, but currently not the time to dedicate to a storefront. My business is booming sometimes, and I’m quiet at other times because I’m too busy in my personal life to keep up. And that’s the beauty of having your own business that you can work from your home. I’ve looked into a couple places but they just wouldn’t be worth the cost compared to my inconsistent sales for now.

➡️What would be ideal for me at this time is to find a couple or a few local small businesses that might have a storefront or physical location that would be willing to have a spot inside that my customers could come pick up orders from. Ideally the locations have somewhat normal or consistent hours (maybe even a weekend day?). I would be willing to chat about paying a small fee for the service and/or potentially even stocking your store with some of my products if that made sense for you? You would also potentially get some extra traffic in your store. I don’t know what would be fair or right (I’m not business minded), but if someone was open to the idea, I’d love to have a conversation! I’m not asking for any handouts, but more a business deal and something that could be more constant for me and my customers 🙂. I also wouldn’t ever want this to be a pain for anyone, so I’m flexible on trying something out and if it doesn’t work for you, that’s ok!

I’ve had so many people help me out with deliveries or offering their porches (you guys are the best 🫶🏻) but at the end of the day, my business isn’t your responsibility and I don’t want to put that responsibility on any individual just being a helpful and kind person❤️ I’m also hoping to find places that can be a constant for me and my customers and not something I have to figure out every sale. I don’t like asking for favors… I want a fair trade!😉

➡️If you own a business, or know someone who does that might be interested in helping me out, please send this post and my page to them! You can but don’t have to tag them, I don’t want to make anyone feel obligated lol but some shares would be appreciated!

➡️Locations I’m most interested in at the moment:

Abingdon
Galesburg
Monmouth
Knoxville

🫶🏻Please help a girl and her small shirt business out! Thank you all so much for your continued support and for making my hobby so successful! I have so many more ideas in the works!❤️

09/02/2026

This one stings a little. This picture is PERFECT though!

Some see us share this company a lot as a sponsor but really don't know the people behind that sponsor. Tom was an absolute legend. I was fortunate enough to spend about 20 minutes with him last week, as usual, he'd come in to where I work with his list, and go "let's go shopping". We'd walk around finding his items and every. single. time.... . He'd ask, among other things like how's the family, etc, "how's the program coming along?". Well Tom, we're all hurting a little more right now, but, we'll be just fine. We know you're still there supporting us, just in a different role. Thank you Tom, for all that you did for our program and the countless other youth programs in our community. You'll be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Please keep the Doran family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this loss. We dedicate our 2027 season to, The Legend.

It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Tom Doran.

To many, Tom was a pillar of this community. But to us girls in his office, he was so much more. He was a husband, a father, a mentor, and our friend. Doran Insurance simply will not be the same without him.

Tom cared deeply about his agency, the people he worked with, the customers he served, and the community he called home. His presence, his personality, and the many memories made within these office walls will be deeply missed.

Our hearts are with the entire Doran family as we grieve this tremendous loss alongside them.

With Love,
Your Doran Insurance Family
Diana Doran, Jessica Christine Booton, Crystal Brown, Julie Crowner

08/31/2026

We really had to think about sharing this, we had a couple local businesses donate some time and equipment into making this possible. We'll put the pictures up because these people deserve to be recognized. However, if anyone wants to use this field, please, do your part and at bare minimum, rake bases. Storm Fastpitch and Dame Fine Coffee have brought in truckloads of dirt, which is not cheap. The Gladstone field can get tons of use, but we need to take care of it as a community. Our long term goal is to bring games back to Gladstone as we do in Biggsville, but we need the field to be kept up. The Goff family has done an incredible job of keeping up the Biggsville field, if we can get that commitment for Gladstone, we'll bring in teams from outside the area that will go eat at Graham’s Tavern .... but we HAVE keep the field in shape to do that, if you use the field, PLEASE help out and rake bases or run a drag, that keeps the grass and weeds off of the field. With that, THANK YOU, Sebastian Sand Blasting and Big River Garage Doors (Kevin Hetrick) for donating equipment and time to bring this field back to life. Our 8u team will be spending a lot of time on it this fall now thanks to your generosity. Use these local businesses that contribute to our community!!!! Just look at this transformation!!!!

08/30/2026

Apparel store #1 is up for the fall. It will stay open until September 7th. We'll have more options coming out later including some powder blue merch. Stay tuned for those!

https://share.google/n2nOya1My2TSiXybl

08/29/2026

Post with no pictures. Thank you!! Chelsea Livermore for all that you do for us!! She ran game changer (that we kinda messed up to start), the walk up songs, she yelled/cheered at/for Every. Single. Girl. And came out at the end to take the team picture. If you want to get excited watching these girls play, sit by Chelsea, but you better be fired up our you're risking a body check or a flying object being thrown. Thanks for all that you do Cora's mom!!!

08/29/2026

Finally! Here they are, our 2027 10U team. To say today went better than expected is an understatement. They've had maybe a half dozen practices, still getting to know each other, but under the leadership of their coach for the day, our Miley Moo, who might retire after going 2-0 to start her coaching career, coach Paige, and a last minute guest coach appearance from our beloved Lillian Higgins (little sister probably wasn't on board with that) we came away feeling good about the direction we're going... . Wins of 14-2 and 15-5 to start their fall off right.

Coach Miley told them they need to be more assertive on the bases, so, we'll work on that! But overall, they got off to a great start. Loved loved loved our pitching and catching, these girls work sooooo hard at that craft. Miley has been instrumental in helping our pitchers.

We had a good feeling about this team, today cemented that. They still have LOTS to learn and we'll keep moving them forward this fall, but today was a good day. Take a bow ladies, our 2027 10U team...

Edit!!!! The CROWD!!!! We're going to have to play at bigger venues!!!! Thanks for supporting the girls, fans!!!! Holy smokes that was a lot of fans in the crowd!

08/29/2026

Coaching fail. Should have snapped a quick pick of this team after practice but they were all sweaty and bad hair we don't care so...we'll get that tomorrow. Storm 10U 2k27 kicks off their year tomorrow in West Burlington. Thanks to our friend Bill (iykyk😆) they'll all have their gray jerseys and we'll make shift with some navy pants and go hit the dirt while waiting on the rest of their uniforms to arrive. Games at 930 and 11AM at Community Park in West Burlington. They have speed, power and athletism. We REALLY like this team and are looking forward to watching them grow. Let's PLAY FAST AND HAVE FUN GIRLS!

08/28/2026

Got a little blast from the past text message from our pal Chris Johnson with Perfect Game Softball. Only a select few will remember this one. ❤️🥎 Thanks for the memory, CJ!!