QUESTION

[workhardplaysmart]

HOW MANY 14U FROM GA TEAMS WILL FINISH IN THE TOP 25 AT ASA NATIONALS THIS YEAR?

[3Bsnag]

Never mind, didn't see it was the GA board.

[workhardplaysmart]

That's my fault. I forgot to list GA as the home-base of the team.

[georgiahoo]

Last year there were three and two of those moved up to 16U. In my opinion last year's 14U Georgia teams were better as a whole than this year's 14U group, so I'd expect no more than 3 and probably 1-2. All of the above depends on the draw. Georgia teams get bad draws or have an untimely injury then there might not be any in the top 25. Vipers Berry did really well last year, getting hot at the right time, so you never know.

[MADDMAN]

Taking into consideration that Georgia is turning out more 14U teams this year than in the past, that does water down the talent. In my opinion the only Georgia 14"A" teams to be at the show will be Vipers Dean, Georgia Crusaders, Kennworth Bandits '94, East Cobb Bullets '94 and Vipers Prance. When it comes down to the top 25# must go with Vipers Dean, strong team , solid pitching & no stranger to the bright lights of Nationals.

[georgiahoo]

I believe that since Georgia is the host association there are 7 berths, 5 awarded at tournaments and 2 "host" berths. I'd expect a number of teams to compete for these berths, including Vipers Dean, Kennworth Bandits, 94 Elite, 95 Elite, Vipers Prance, Fire Black, Fire Red, 94 Bullets, and Georgia Crusaders

[workhardplaysmart]

After this past weekend- Vipers Dean is clearly head and shoulders above everyone else. I think of the 7 total berths available- no more than 2 are capable of finishing in the top 25- probably more like 1- and that's not a lock. JMO

[georgiahoo]

I agree that Vipers Dean are best 14U team in Georgia but I'm not sure "heads and shoulders above" everyone else is supported by the game scores -- 0-0 with Impact White in pool play, 1-0 over Alpharetta Attack, 1-0 over Lady Pistols, 2-0 over Elite, and 4-2 over Bandits. What they do well is find a way to win with good defense and pitching. Once they start hitting the ball they will be tough for any Georgia team to beat.

[georgiahoo]

I agree that could be the case I'm just not certain that the games I saw this weekend indicate anyone was head and shoulders above anyone else. I think for the Georgia teams the real test will come in the ASA qualifiers where you'll face the toughest competition. Vipers Dean are pretty clearly the best team in Georgia but I'm not yet sure how good they are. I'll be interested to see if they dominate like E. Cobb Mad Dogs did last year. Mad Dogs won just about everything except for state. That said, Vipers Berry did much better than any other Georgia team at nationals.

[MADDMAN]

"head and shoulders" is for flakes, right? To early to tell who will rise and shine in Georgia. Vipers-Dean is loaded and ready to go to the show. Teams like Elite 94, Kennworth Bandits '94 and Georgia Crusaders are ready and waiting. I agree with GeorgiaHoo, all will be revealed at the opening Qualifier.