Chronicles of Christina

Let’s offer a warm welcome to the Wells Royals. Some of the league got a soft introduction to this group during the fall season, but don’t be fooled, this is a completely new team that you’ve never played against.

After talking to captain Jon Harkleroad after the team’s first win of the season over very talented Big Red; I learned this team has a very unique struggle that many teams couldn’t imagine dealing with, a team so big that the male players have to rotate every week for game time.

Below, Jon offers a little more insight into the teams dynamic, hopes for the season, and some out-of-the park stats. Over the remainder of the season, we will get to see another new comer to the league tee it up against some veteran teams and earn their spot in the Wells Fargo softball league.

Q: How did your team come together?

A: Within our LOB’s organizational structure, we sent out an open call to all team members who

wanted to play softball and then we randomly assigned team members to either the Wells

Royals or the Wells Angels. The random team assignments ensured that we would not have

one “stacked” team and one weaker team and that all team members have a fair opportunity

to play, and hopefully win.

Q: What departments of the bank are represented on your team?

A: We’re Wells Fargo Advisor (WFA) employees, so technically on the brokerage side not part

of the bank but part of the One Wells Fargo family. We represent the Client Contact Center

Brokerage Services groups (AOL, BVA, DCS, ICS, IRC, & WellsTrade) as well as the WFAS

Solutions advisors. Our team members are based out of the CIC location on WT Harris Blvd.

Q: Your team made their debut in the fall season. How would you say spring ball is

comparing to your experience in fall?

A: The Royals played in the league championship game in the fall but because of the random

team assignment process, the spring Wells Royals are a completely different team. It would

have been nice to keep the championship caliber type team together going into the spring

but it has been awesome to build/strengthen relationships with the new Royals team

members, especially meeting team members from different departments for the first time.

Q: If you could tell the retuning teams one thing about your team, what would it be?

A: That we are leading – more like dominating – the league in the most important stat: the

number of team members going out for food/beverages after the game!

Q: Thus far, who is/are your team’s MVP(s)? Why?

A: Our MVP’s are our players who have never played softball before but who have gotten their

first hit (or are at least now making contact with the ball) and/or who have made their first

put-out in the field. These seemingly small victories have been far more exciting for our

team than any homerun or big hit. We don’t keep stats and are more focused on team

members having fun and engaging with each another but understand that people are

motivated in different ways and we’re thrilled that the league can provide an outlet for both

the serious and not-so-serious team members.

Q: This past Thursday, your team picked up their first win this season against Big Red. Do

you think your team has found their groove?

A: Hard to say. Because of the open call to all team members who want to play within our

LOB’s, we have so many male players on both the Royals and Angels that our guys rotate

playing every other week. So, outside of our female players, our teams are different from

week to week and it’s impossible to get in a “groove.” Nevertheless, we have fun every

week…on the field and afterwards!

After playing this team, it is aware they are group out there to have fun and spend a Thursday out with co-workers. The laugher and chatter from their dugout is refreshing and a reminder of what this whole league is about and how much fun softball really can be, winning or losing.