Its now my favorite time of year and now we get to see the die hard p_layer_s take their games to another level. 2008 saw one of the stronger classed graduate but most are still sharpening their skills at the U18 level on teams around the state. With the new ASA boundaries and the push of Triple Crown most of the stronger ball p_layer_s have headed to teams out of the area but a few remain on Utah County teams. As always a few girls have moved around from past teams to new ones but the competition this Summer seems to be very tough at the U18 level.

Last year I felt U16 was the toughest age group but the stronger teams have moved up and this Summer has more college p_layer_s back from the 2007 class playing at this level. U16 is still strong but the Flames will probably win most in state tournaments they enter.

At the U18 Level Pegasus North, TC Thunder and Bad to the Bone will battle for in state supremacy. But there are another 4-5 other teams that have the talent to knock any of those teams off on a given day. I do not think Utah County has one U18 team......? UC girls are playing though just all across the state on various teams for obvious and varied reasons. Will UC ever be able to bring girls back for a strong team at the U18 level..? Probably not in the next few years.... but who knows. As they say you can't beat them ... join them

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Its my favorite time of the year too. I don't agree that UC doesn't at least one or two strong U-16 Teams. The Shamrocks can be very strong. But, of course the team that I think has the ability to excel is the Utah Crush. They have everything a team needs to win this year. They have four strong pitchers in the Lehi Zimmerman sisters, Angie M from PG and Agle from Springville. That pitching can match up with any team in this state. Granted the last tournament was somewhat of a disaster for the Crush, but keep in mind that they averaged about a run a game and less than that when factoring earned runs. The defense is very solid and the bats are strong top to bottom anchored by Nikki B. There are definitely going to be competitive. I can't wait for the match ups against the Flames, Sting, Raid and other solid teams in and out of the state.

The key for UC teams is the need to believe that they can win the big games. Teams like the Flames expect to win. Crush has to get to that point. If they get there, watch out. Top 5 Triple Crown finish??? You heard it here first.

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Its my favorite time of the year too. I don't agree that UC doesn't at least one or two strong U-16 Teams. The Shamrocks can be very strong. But, of course the team that I think has the ability to excel is the Utah Crush. They have everything a team needs to win this year. They have four strong pitchers in the Lehi Zimmerman sisters, Angie M from PG and Agle from Springville. That pitching can match up with any team in this state. Granted the last tournament was somewhat of a disaster for the Crush, but keep in mind that they averaged about a run a game and less than that when factoring earned runs. The defense is very solid and the bats are strong top to bottom anchored by Nikki B. There are definitely going to be competitive. I can't wait for the match ups against the Flames, Sting, Raid and other solid teams in and out of the state.

The key for UC teams is the need to believe that they can win the big games. Teams like the Flames expect to win. Crush has to get to that point. If they get there, watch out. Top 5 Triple Crown finish??? You heard it here first.

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Liken you must have a Daughter or Grand Daughter playing for this Crush Team but its all in good debate. I recognize some of the girls you list but U16 does begin and end with the Flames just too much talent. There was a debate last year for the best Pitcher in the State but with Graduations complete Tori Almond is #1 and Josi Summers is probably #3.
This puts the Flames and Sliders at the top along with Xtreme-White and Payson Sting. The second group will probably have Twisters, Crush, Thunder, Sting and Raid and I am sure I am missing someone.

The problem with U16 is most of the top girls at that level in UC have moved up to U18. If a UC team could keep all those Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors to be on a UC team they could rival a team like the Flames, but if they can play at U18 and perform why not move up. The big difference between U16 and U18 is the hitting and defense better hitting is required and stronger defense to win a lot less scoring but very dangerous hitters up and down lineups.

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Fortunately this debate will be settled on the playing field. I'm happy to acknowledge who is #1, #2 or whatever, but not until they've matched up a few times. I think those match ups start this weekend.

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This is a funny debate to me because most of these teams will rarely play each other. Just too many tournaments for teams to chose and most of the teams in UC seem to avoid the TC tournaments. This weekend all mentioned teams are playing at TC Gold Rush with the exception of the Sliders and Crush they must be playing in the Brigham City tournament. Then some of these teams head of to Colorado Fireworks and Sparkler for weeks worth of games.

The best tournament to solve this argument will probably be Utah ASA State Championships.

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I think Crush is every bit as strong as the Payson Sting and these are two pretty tough teams from the Valley both loaded with varsity level talent. I saw the Flames last weekend and they are tough and probably the best at the U16 level in Utah but on any given day anyone can be beat. The Crush has the pitching depth to compete even if they have to go into the losers bracket and that is always key as well as a very strong infield.

Have Fun

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