2011 PONY Nationals / Cary, NC

At 14u there were 80+ teams and many very competitive teams. The Blaze team out of Charlotte won it all. They had to beat some very good teams to do it.

 

How did this become a bash the Challengers and Pony thread? This all started out as a thread to talk about how the teams were doing in this tournament. I will tell you that kids that are playing in the Pony Nationals are good enough to play in college. Just look at the team book that was put together and see how many teams had kids that were already signed. I know that one of the teams had at least 6 kids already signed. The tournament does not determine whether a kid is good enough for college or not. The tournament selection is often based on coach's choice, parent's choice, or you may just have to compete since your organization is hosting the tournament.

Also, in reference to the Challengers not having any kids good enough to play college ball. I think you may want to look a little closer. The team record may not be that great, but that is probably due to some chemistry issues that are still being worked out on the team. I think as the fall season start out, you will see a change in how that team plays. That team does only have 3 players in the 2012 class and all are getting looks by colleges. They also have a lot of 2013's who are already getting looks and a couple of 2014's. Let's be fair to these kids and give them the credit they are due. I can honestly say that the group of 11 girls that started play last Friday in the Cardinals Classic, played 12 games in 6 days. They did that in unbearable temperatures, with several kids that were sick or injured, and only two girls to do all of the pitching. I don't think that is too bad. Just my opinion.

 

No it's not the ASA Nationals, PGF Nationals, Champions Cup, NSA World Series, USFA World Series or any other large tournament. Our team (Hurricanes Elite) had a great time playing. It was an opportuinty for our girls to play teams that they would not normally have the chance to play without having to travel half way across the country. As large as the tournament was, why would you not stay at home and play? The competition wasn't weak from my prospective. Why there were only 3 teams from NC competing in the 18U division? I don't know or even care. I do know that the NC teams that did participate represented their prospective division well, some better then others. Our team didn't go undefeated but we were very competitive in all games but 1 and had the opportuinty to win more then what we did but our girls didn't "close the show" so to speak. I enjoyed it as well as my dd and would do it again if the opportunity presented itself.

Congradulations to the 2 teams from NC (14U Charlotte Blaze & 16U NC Challengers) that won their division. Great accomplishment ladies! Also, the 16U Carolina Lookout & 18U Cape Fear Storm both finished in the top 4 of their divisions

 

Congradulations to all the teams. Play for the fun of playing first. When they are fifty they can still be proud!

 

Please reveal

I read this board out of curiousity and have never been compelled to write on it; however, I do need to ask a question of Easton17. If you are aware of NC coaches that are not interested in players that have participated in the PONYs, it would be great if you could reveal their names/schools. Clearly, some of the top programs have been interested in players from both the Challengers and the Lookouts -- so it is doubtful that a school would eliminate a player simply by virtue of the fact that they participated in the PONYs. If a college coach would do that, then it probably is a coach that makes sweeping generalizations -- and many wouldn't be interested in having their daughter play for a coach prone to making sweeping generalizations. So, please, do us a favor and let us know who these coaches are. That way, we can strike them from the list. I mean, seriously, if you want to make the point that the PONYs may not be as competitive as other tournaments, then just say that -- it is not necessary to throw out there a blanket statement about anonymous coaches. Also, as to the Challengers not looking particularly good three weeks ago -- if you have been involved in softball for any length of time -- I am sure you would agree that teams have good days and bad days. Case in point -- the Lookouts beat the L.I. Bandits in their pool game in the PONYs, but lost to them in the semi-finals. Perhaps you saw the Challengers on a bad day or even on a bad weekend -- BUT, it is doubtful that pure luck got the 16U Challengers to a 9 and 0 record. If you have been fortunate enough to have your daughter on a team that has never had a bad day or bad weekend -- lucky you. Last, but not least, it is disingenuous (to say the least) to congratulate the NC teams on how they did in the PONYs, only to turn around and make a statement about coaches not being interested in the players because they played in the PONYs. Seriously, you should know better. I have no idea if this post will make it past whatever censors there are on this board -- but I feel better calling a spade a spade.

 

yes the challengers may have a few college worthy players, but do you always have a comment to make?

 

It is good that lylejohn has a comment to make! What would a discussion board be without comments? Even the one you just made.

 

I see girls recruited all the time that have never been to Colorado, California, etc. to play. I would be interested to know who the one NC and one Georgia coach is and we can talk about how there teams are doing.