TOP TEXAS GOLD TEAM PREVIEW

[HoustonStillKing]

OK, so list what you know about the big guns---who's headed to Oklahoma!
Talk about what you know about the players, coaches, programs, recruits...ALL OF IT!

2008 18u FINAL STATE RANKINGS (Gold Nationals)
1. Texas Impact Gold
2. Sudden Impact Gold
3. Texas Blaze Gold
4. Katy Heat
5. Texas Travelers
6. GT Shockers
7. Texas Express
8. Texas Glory
9. Texas Magic
10. Texas Fusion
11. Texas Storm
12. Texas Eclipse

Of this group, who will qualify again in 2009 and why?

[BestSportEver]

Gotta add these teams in the mix!

Houston Power, Texas Aces, & FW Batbusters

[Pontiac]

Texas Blaze Gold should make it back. Just take a look at their roster and which colleges they are going to. Also, Kelsi Weseman will be back this year as she was injured last year. I'll start with their pitchers.

Univ of Texas: Blair Luna (P)
Univ of North TX: Ashley Kirk (P)
Univ of Houston: Diedre Outon (P, Utility)
Univ of Houston: Haley Outon (C)
Univ of Texas: Taylor Thom (SS)
Texas State Univ: Macie Hair (C)
Texas State Univ: Cora Ramirez (OF)
Texas State Univ: Jordan Masek (IF)
Georgia Tech: Kelsi Weseman (SS)

http://www.TexasBlaze.org lists the rest.

[txfastpitch]

There are 5 Glory Gold teams this year.

Texas Glory Gold Shelton - should be a contender
Texas Glory Gold Beard - should contend for a berth to OKC
Texas Glory Gold Lutz - more of a showcase team, probably should play 18A
Texas Glory Gold Combs - more of a showcase team, probably should play 18A as well

Texas Glory Gold Adkins - team was put together after Nationals last year, had a productive fall season. Will be interesting to see how they compete this summer in the qualifiers when everbody is playing at full strength. They are talented so I will list them as a contender for a berth to OKC.

[fastpitchguru]

I think that you have to break it down in terms of four catagories: 1.) Stone Cold Locks 2.) Good Shot at Qualifiying 3.) Dont Be Surprised if the Do 4.) Not Likely

These are just the opinions of an old guy that watches a whole bunch of softball and are in no way to be negative toward any team!

Stone Cold Locks:
Impact Gold (Loaded Again!)
Texas Aces (Very Good Pitching , Great Hitters)
Texas Eclipse (Got a little bit of everything!)

Good Shot at Qualifying:
Texas Blaze Gold (Very Deep Pitching)
Texas Magic (Solid Club with Lots of speed)
Texas Glory (Usually Solid , Should be again)
Houston Power (Been building for this run with this group)

Dont Be Surprised if They Do:
Texas Glory Gold Beard (Solid Team , Good Pitching)
Texas Fusion Gold (Can they Repeat)
Texas Bombers Gold (Super Fast , Great Defense)
GT Shockers (Real good Talent)
Texas Storm (Always a Contender)
Texas Glory Gold Shelton (Can they Reload)
Sudden Impact Gold (Always a Contender)
Texas Express Gold (Interesting to See What they Will Have)

Not Likely:
Texas Glory Gold Lutz (Just not Likely)
Texas Glory Gold Combs (Not Enough Depth)
Ft. Worth Batbusters (Just does not seem to able to put it Together)
Texas Hawks Gold (Not What they used to Be)

Take Care to everyone , and have a great Season!

[TRAVELBALLFAN]

Naudin is playing 16u.

Whats become of the Travelers since Beard moved to Glory? Anything left?

[play4fun]

I think Naudin's daughter is on Kevin Shelton's Glory Gold team but he is coaching the 16U team. At least that was what I saw last fall and I don't see why it would change. Naudin's kid is good enough that she should be playing gold now.