Buckle up! In this Car Ride Home, host Jami Lobpries chats with Coach Rene Ciccarello of the Tampa Mustangs about how a small, boutique club in Florida grew into a travel ball powerhouse in the Southeast. We talk about the history of the Tampa Mustangs organization, the culture and coaching philosophy inside the organization which started with Ray Seymour, and player development inside their organization. Rene recently took over the Tampa Mustangs organization and also led his 18u team to a 3rd place finish at the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series in 2025. We share stories from their national championship run and Rene shares insights to his coaching strategy at the AFCS. What you’ll hear inside the interview:The culture of Florida's oldest and most successful travel ball organizationHow to set team standards and simple daily habits that win

Coaching strategy at National Championships What “travel-ball ready” looks like from 12U to 18UPractice planning that builds skills and confidenceTryouts, roster construction, and picking the right familiesStaff roles, communication, and keeping the culture strongCompeting on the national stage from a Florida base About our guestRene Ciccarello Jr. has spent 12 years coaching inside the Tampa Mustangs organization. What started as a 12u team building a national schedule has led to the Tampa Mustangs Rene as one of the top 18u teams in the country. Now Rene is leading the entire Florida-based organization as the President of the Tampa Mustangs, an organization founded by Ray Seymour in 1981.