Although this is not technically a North Carolina event, we thought we’d go ahead and give a special preview for our North Carolina teams representing in Atlanta this upcoming weekend. Some of the best teams in the state including the #1 team in 9u, 10u, and the 11u age groups as well as the #2 and #5 teams in the 12u age group will be in action in this tournament. Should be an exciting weekend in Atlanta and you can follow it here. Here’s a brief preview of the weekend’s relevant action.
9u
#1 Park Sharon Nationals have been dominant at the 9u level in and around their area. This will be a huge test to see where they stand amongst some of the best teams in the Southeast. In the 9u Majors division, there are 19 total teams divided amongst 4 pools. Park Sharon will be playing in pool A with the Naturals (GA), the Carl Black Longhorns (GA), the Georgia Monarchs, and the Kennesaw Generals (GA). In pool play they will face the Georgia Monarchs and Carl Black Longhorns in their two pool play games on Saturday. #16 SBA Canes – Simmons will also be in the 9u majors field in Atlanta this weekend. They’ll play in pool B with the FCA Blueclaws (FL) who are currently ranked 19th nationally in USSSA’s 9u majors power rankings, Mayhem/Icon (AL), the East Side Thunder Premier (GA), and Rawlings Cobb (GA). They’ll face the East Side Thunder Premier and Mayhem/Icon in their two pool play games. The 9u field also includes the Gresham Yarddogs (GA), currently ranked #6 nationally in USSSA’s 9u major’s power ranking. For reference, Park Sharon is currently ranked 19th.
10u
Much like Park Sharon in the 9u age group, #1 Canes NC – Gilchrist will be getting their first huge test of the spring this weekend. In the 10u majors division, there are 22 teams split amongst 5 pools. The Canes will play out of pool D with Five Star Tigers Martinez (FL) who is currently ranked #4 nationally in USSSA’s 10u majors power rankings, the East Cobb Yankees (GA), and Elite Sluggers – Rogo (GA). They’ll face the Yankees and the Elite Sluggers in their two pool play games on Saturday. The 10u field also includes the East Cobb Astros Orange, who are currently ranked #11 nationally in USSSA’s power rankings, the #14 (nationally) East Cobb Bandits, and #26 (nationally) East Cobb Astros Navy.
11u
#1 SBA Canes – Ross will be playing in their second out-of-state Super NIT this spring as they look to get a bid to the Demarini USSSA World Series this summer. They reached the semifinals in Florida in the previous effort, but will look to bring home the title this weekend in an absolutely loaded 11u field. Currently, the Canes are ranked #6 nationally in USSSA’s power rankings and are the highest ranked team in this field. There are 20 teams across 4 pools in the 11u majors division. The Canes will be in pool D with #11 (nationally) Five Star Tigers – Demarini (FL), East Cobb Colt .45’s Navy (GA), GA Academy Power, and the Gresham Park Yarddogs (GA). They’ll take on the GA Academy Power and East Cobb Colt .45’s Navy in their two pool play games on Saturday. #12 (nationally) Five Star Elite (GA), #20 CR Red, and #30 Kangaroo Court (FL) are also in the 11u majors field.
12u
There are 20 teams spread across 5 pools in the 12u age group. #2 Minion (and #13 nationally in USSSA’s 12u majors power rankings) will play in pool B with the South Dekalb Tribe Gold (GA), CMSB Squeeze (GA), GA Power Baseball – Myers, and the Georgia Braves. They’ll face GA Power and the Georgia Braves in their two pool play games. #5 Park Sharon Nationals will play in pool D with Pike Road Diamond Kings (AL), the Kennesaw Generals (GA), the Meridian Panthers (GA), and Team Halo (GA). They’ll take on Team Halo and Pike Road Diamond Kings in their two pool play games on Saturday. Minion will be the top ranked team nationally in this field #47 Five Star Tigers – Demarini being the next highest ranked team.