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SCOTT PURKSPlayers coming from all over the U.S. will practice together only once before the World University Games.
PLANT CITY - This may not be the Olympic softball team that has won three consecutive gold medals and is unbeaten in 79 consecutive games dating back to July 2003.
But this group, in essence a national collegiate all-star team, should be formidable. Who knows? Several of these players may one day play on the United States team in the Olympics. For now, though, these American women are coming together for a few days (Oct. 26-31) of international competition during the first World University Softball Championship in Plant City.
The competition is about as stiff as it can get with 10 teams, including Japan (winner of past two junior world titles), China, Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Guatemala, the Netherlands, Russia and Uganda.
The U.S. squad only has one day to practice after its team members fly in from all over the country.
"Most of the other countries practice together all the time," U.S. coach Jay Miller said. "So we'll have to do some quick catching up. But I think we'll be just fine.
"We have a lot of talent and many of these women have played together this summer, or have played together on junior and other national-type teams. We know each other pretty well."
The U.S. junior and collegiate national teams have been strong, but nothing like the national team that has dominated the Olympics.
Then again, few, if any teams have been that dominant.
"It's very competitive at this age level and it will be very interesting this week to see how everybody matches up," Miller said.