HS & Club Softball

Atlanta Fastpitch Classic Preview

Atlanta Fastpitch Classic

All roads lead to the Atlanta Fastpitch Classic this weekend for 14u and 12u softball teams.

This Fall tournament has turned into the one teams have circled on their tournament schedules. The tournament continues to grow and attract some of the best clubs in the nation. At least seven different states will be represented at this year’s event. It is also loaded with talented teams with contenders from top to bottom.

This is a 12 and 14U event so you can be assured that upsets will happen. Teams will be fighting to stay alive in pool games in order to secure a spot in the gold brackets on Sunday. One loss could ruin any chance for that.

The 14U division is loaded and very top-heavy with teams moving up from 12U to compete in their first year of 14U. The Birmingham Thunderbolts ’03 are the early favorites heading into the tournament.

The Thunderbolts captured the 2015 12U Atlanta Fastpitch Classic defeating the Beverly Bandits Demarini squad in the championship game. They are a talented team and there is no reason not to think they can step up and win at the 14U level.

Three of the top four 12U teams in the country will be represented this weekend.

The 12U Georgia Impact is solid up and down the line-up. They also are not afraid to play small ball to put pressure on the opposing defense. Couple that with their exceptional fielding and elite pitching staff and they are a serious threat to capture the top spot.

The Birmingham Thunderbolts ’04 enter as a bit of a wildcard. They come in with a strong pitching staff, but there are questions around their defense and offensive production. Everyone knows, though, that strong pitching can carry a team deep into tournaments. We will wait and see where they land when the dust settles.

The Beverly Bandits Premier enter the weekend with a team loaded with All-Star type of talent. The concern here is how they come together against teams who have had a solid core together for a few years. Although they have a ton of talent, the production of the bottom half of their order will be critical to their success. They do have a solid pitching staff so much like the Thunderbolts they will have their chances as the pitching should keep them right in the game. Run production will be key.

There is a pretty good chance that two of these three end up in the championship game. With that said it will be interesting to see who else will emerge and possibly surprise.

Discuss it on Fastpitch Talk!

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