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Winning made the season a little difficult for Team FLA.
The 18-and-under team became the first in the country to qualify for the Amateur Softball Association Gold National Championships by winning a tournament. And ever since things haven't gone as planned.
Team FLA went undefeated to win the ASA Gold Regional Championship in Auburndale in early June. It was an early tournament, one of many on the schedule. But because the team had already qualified for nationals, it couldn't compete in any more qualifying tournaments.
"The hard part is when you qualify that early, it messes up your schedule," coach Dave Hazzard said.
The team had to pull out of two tournaments. To make up for lost games, Team FLA scheduled practices against area women's teams. The team still has been able to compete in exposure tournaments, getting the players time in front of college coaches.
Two recent area graduates on the team are Seminole's Lisa Hasson, headed to University of Florida, and East Lake's Ally May, going to Nicholls State. Three of the team's rising seniors already have committed to colleges.
When it started just last year, Team FLA had one team, a 16-and-under squad that was ranked No. 1 in the state and finished 15th at ASA nationals. This year, Team FLA has expanded, splitting last year's 16-and-under team by moving some girls up to an 18-and-under gold team and adding a 12-and-under squad.
"The game plan was for the older, more mature players to take it to the next level," Hazzard said.
As the 18-and-under group finds success, the 16-and-under team remains strong. The team qualified for ASA nationals as well, winning a Hall of Fame qualifier and finishing third at the National Hall of Fame Tournament last month in Oklahoma, qualifying for nationals.
Team FLA's 18-and-under gold team will be joined at the ASA Gold National Championships in Marietta, Ga., in August by the Clearwater Bombers 18-and-under gold team.
- Club softball updates run weekly in the summer. Coaches should call Times staff writer Laura Lee at 892-2251 or send e-mail to llee@sptimes.com