Connect Sports’ Chattanooga Steam is an independent, semi-professional fastpitch team competing in their first season in 2024. The primary objective is to engage with the city of Chattanooga and the surrounding region to be the premier professional softball team of the southeast.
The Steam has already assembled one of the top staffs in the nation from the front office to the field:
Donald Pickett - General Manager
20 year Division 1 coaching veteran including 15 years as Head Coach
Marty McDaniel - Head Coach
20+ years at the University of Tennessee and Georgia Tech; 7 Womens College World Series appearances, numerous All-Americans
Brandon Carr - Assistant Coach
20+ years as a pitching coach; numerous Power 5, Division 1, and Junior College All Americans
The Steam will play a seven-week, 30+ game schedule beginning the week of June 17, competing against other independent professional teams, national teams, and All Star teams. Steam will play multiple series here in Chattanooga at Frost Stadium in Warner Park.
Jill Higdon, UTC alum, Chattanooga 20+ year resident, and Steam owner said, “I cannot wait to see professional softball players represent Chattanooga. I know that our city will embrace the team just like it embraced me when I moved here from Louisiana to play softball for UTC.”
Donald Pickett, UTC alum, Chattanooga native, and Steam General Manager said, “I coached Division 1 college softball for 20 years and am excited to see Chattanooga take the next step in the game that I love. I’m fired up to see my home town embrace the group of exceptional young women that will be The Steam.”
Jeremy Higdon, Chattanooga native, and Steam owner said, ”I believe our city will fall in love with our team and our team will fall in love with our city. I look forward to the opportunities it will create for all that choose to be involved in this groundbreaking venture.”