USFA WS, Panama City FL

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We went last year (TOOLS OF THE GAME 16U) great tournament lots of southern teams that are fast.
2 things I noticed
they bunted aot
and the strike zone down south was from the belt to the ankles drop balls were strikes if it did not hit the plate.
as far as the weather its way hotter than you ever see here
start drinking water or gatoraid DAILY AT LEAST A WEEK IN ADVANCE AND ALOT OF IT.
also lots of bananas as they play
just hope you get to play a Frank brown (we did not ) played 15miles away = 45min in florida traffic.
have fun kids will enjoy it

 

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Thanks for the info Coach! I will stock up now on the H2O and gatorade.haha!

 

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Went there to years in a row in 2006 and 2007 with the McKinney Fireballs (12u) out of Texas and the Frisco Fuel (also out of Texas). We finished 5th the first year and in the top half the second year. The strongest teams are out of Texas and Florida. A team called the Gator Girls seems to go most years. I would say that the competition is not as strong as ASA for sure but a good tourney. I would compare it to Gapps, from a competion standpoint. The cool thing is that there are teams from many states (Canada when we went too). They did a very nice job with opening ceremonies. It is very kid friendly. Panama City is a bit seedy and your girls may learn a thing or two that you may not want them to but we really had a good time. The heat is tough and that gives an advantage to the Texas, Georgia and Florida teams. Overall, good memories. Fields are nice, concessions are very nice and everyone is friendly. The water is great and the bars are plentiful. Enjoy yourself and represent for Ohio!

 

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Pedalite is actually better for northern teams playing in Florida. It works better and faster than other products. Florida TDs recommend it for those not use to the really hot and humid weather.

Now, you also have to try the boiled peanuts. Yum... especially cajun style. Buy some for the team and watch their facial expression when you show them this delicious concoction. (You would think you offered them worms)

 

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Pedalite is actually better for northern teams playing in Florida. It works better and faster than other products. Florida TDs recommend it for those not use to the really hot and humid weather.

Now, you also have to try the boiled peanuts. Yum... especially cajun style. Buy some for the team and watch their facial expression when you show them this delicious concoction. (You would think you offered them worms)

great suggestion on the pedialite if you can get the kids to drink it

 

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Tear off the label. Also, when they see Fla teams drink it.. the resistance lowers. When in Rome.......

Also a must. The flat neck bands that swell up when you soak them in ice water is a MUST. They say wet and cold for a long time. Warning.... set up a seperate cooler for the girls to soak their "bands". The water gets pretty gross after a while....

great suggestion on the pedialite if you can get the kids to drink it

 

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Last word of advice. If there is a lot of rain.... don't be surprised to play a pool game at 1:00am. Buy a case of Red Bull for the coaching staff. The girls love the late night games - it is the coaches that suffer.

 

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Tear off the label. Also, when they see Fla teams drink it.. the resistance lowers. When in Rome.......

Also a must. The flat neck bands that swell up when you soak them in ice water is a MUST. They say wet and cold for a long time. Warning.... set up a seperate cooler for the girls to soak their "bands". The water gets pretty gross after a while....

great suggestion also pour spirits of amonia in the water MAKE SURE NO ONE EATS THE ICE
the spirits of amonia is sold at any pharmacy it is in a little brown bottle great for ice water rags that are applied to the kneck

 

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Ok... parade is behind us... the first pool play is tooo. Lost to a strong team but not happy with our performance. We jumped on them and they did in return. Defense always wins games unless you get rained out with 12 minutes left and they are up.... and with the top of the lineup on deck.... pool play.... do you gotta luv it?? Had about 3 other teams come up to me during the game to say how impressed they were with us "northerners" and how we could hang with the arguably the best team in our bracket... so, all in all, good times and we are luvin it

Girls are luvin' it and the families are too. I'll put some pic's up later... gotta hit the golf course between the rain!!!

Other 2 teams are playing but haven't heard how they are doing (12u Static Black and 14u Static Purple).

 

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Kavin's 12u team played today and won 10-1 against a very high ranked team out of Illinois. Apparantly they opened up a can of corn...

Lanes 14u team lost won and tied one...

All 3 of our teams play 2 games tomorrow.

 

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Keep them udates coming! and BTW, Its 10pm lights out! you got a game to play.

 

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good luck static teams, hope you are all staying hydrated, and winning some softball games, keep us all informed up here in Ohio

 

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here's some pic's of the parade and day 1 of pool play. This is our team's first time experiencing something of this magnitude and we now regret not doing this sooner!!! The parents looooved it too. Super impressive to see the amount of teams, the overall atmosphere, and how friendly the event is so far. Hope everyone has had a chance to do a national event of this size. We have 60 teams in our pool play.

 

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Good luck Les...

 

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Looks cool Les. How are the Static teams doing today?

 

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hey les your slacking any info on how all the static teams are doing?

 

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Sorry, we hit the go carts before coming home. Gotta get the team out and have fun.

My team split today... again hot and cold. When hot... look out!!! We put it on'em in the 2nd game. The ocean got us in the first (my excuse)....and a terrible field. We play at 11am tomorrow and Kavin does as well.

Kavin lost one 6-4 and won the 2nd one big.

Not sure about Lane games today.

 

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Way to go Static!! Have fun and keep us posted.

 

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We played down there last year, and it is HOT. Just moving up from Mississippi I can see a big difference in summers. This has been the coolest summer we have ever played softball in. It can spoil you.

Good luck Static

 

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Just took a look at 12u bracket. Better watch out for that Ms Elite. They are a great little team. Amber played on that team before we moved up here. They have the pitching and some good hitters. The coaches down there really demand a great defense.