We have a little bit of everything in today’s news and notes column, from high school results involving top recruits to a player switching schools to a profile of a club team in 14U that several coaches are saying will make some noise this summer…

But first, two “scheduling” notes:

1. We will launch our FAB 50 14U list on Sunday with the “Next In” teams, and profile them as we count down with 10 per day, starting at 50-41 on Monday and ending with 10-1 on Friday. It’s not too late to send info on your favorite teams -- e-mail stats, into, results, etc. to: brentt.eads@flosports.com.
2. Later in April, we will also update the Hot 100 – 2017 Class! Send us any player nominations and updated info on your favorite junior: brentt.eads@flosports.com.

*** Be sure to check out our FAB 50 High School Results which were posted last week and will be updated later tonight. In the Top 10, you’ll notice Curry High School in Jasper, Alabama, is making a big jump this week.  

That team is loaded with talent, including several college-bound players: infielder Justus Perry (Auburn), Kaylee Horton (Ole Miss), catcher Emily Aaron (North Alabama), utility player/pitcher Madison Bentley (Southern Union) and FloSoftball All-American Ashlee Swindle (Auburn), pictured to the right pitching for her club team, the Birmingham Thunderbolts.

Swindle continues to be on fire for the Lady Jackets (22-0) as she’s now 21-0 with a save. Last night, Curry beat Cordova 7-1 in a local match-up as the pitcher gave up just three hits and one earned run with 15 K’s in a complete game victory. She also went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Kyndra Richards hit a three-run homer and Justus Perry hit a solo home run.

This weekend, Curry will compete in the Tournament of Champions, which includes several state champs and powerhouse programs: Sumiton Christian (2A champs), Hale County (3A champs), Curry (4A champs), Springville (5A), Hewitt-Trussville from 7A and Lamar County from 3A.

Here's a brief look at just a few of the standouts from these championship-caliber teams:

• Sumiton Christian is led by two All-Americans in outfielder Kendall Beth Sides (Alabama) and third baseman Jenna Ergle (Boston College).
• Springville is strong as well with first baseman Rian Brown (Alabama-Birmingham), centerfielder Meg Sullivan (Itawamba CC in Fulton, Mississippi), Abby Swaney (Samford University in Birmingham) and Al Kaylee Chapman has offers from Troy, UAB and South Alabama.
• Hewitt-Trussville is talent-heavy, too, with pitcher/utility player Bailey Murphy (South Alabama), infielder Maddie Dorsett (Mississippi State) and outfielder Tate Moseley (Auburn). All in all, it will be a great high school tournament to watch if only to see whether Curry can continue its in-state dominance and as one of the top teams in the nation.
  

*** One of our favorite club tournaments of the year is the So Cal Athletics Invitational run by Bruce Richardson, head coach of the A’s 18U team, which won the first four PGF National Championships.

This year, the A’s Invitational will be held again in the Southern California area (site location still being determined) and FloSoftball will be there to cover and hopefully stream the action.

We spoke to Richardson today, who said there will be 16 teams total with 12 entered and four that have been invited, but not yet officially confirmed.

Here is the list of the dozen teams who are locked in:

• So Cal Athletics
• Firecrackers - Rico
• OC Batbusters
• So Cal Choppers
• Corona Angels
• Explosion
• Beverly Bandits
• Birmingham Thunderbolts
• NJ Intensity
• Pa Chaos
• Georgia Impact
• All American Sports Academy

Early Verbal Reactions

The profiles on the 2020 players committing early are really soliciting some strong opinions on the topic of recruits pulling the trigger as early as 8th grade.

Case in point, pitcher Jesse Fontes committing to Arizona. We recently told her story and below are some reactions for and against young players committing.

Note: in some cases, grammar and spelling has been edited for readability.

FOR

Congrats to Jessie and her dad Jeff. None of our business to decide what's too early to verbal....all I know is she's a great kid and super talented. — Jason P.

Awesome kid and an awesome player...do what's best for you and your family and ignore the noise. — Fritz H.

Well, I have seen this girl pitch and she is a really great pitcher. What makes me laugh is how so many grown adults have a opinion on her verbal to her future college, (when) she has worked hard to achieve this goal. She knows what she wants! I guess her parents approve and that's all that matters. So if your children ever get to this point then make sure they say "no" to this opportunity, lol. With so many youths falling through the cracks and not going to college you would think people would be happy. Well I am proud of this little girl to "have a plan" and fight for her future as a Wildcat. — Rosalie L.

Not sure why there are so many negative comments. You do not know the girl or parents. I was lucky enough to coach this young lady for two years. Without mentioning her softball skills, she is a very mature for her age, great teammate, cares about others and their well being, fantastic student, and comes from a family that anyone that knows them would be lucky to call their own. Very proud of you Jesse and a huge congrats to you, Jeff, Karen, and both sets of wonderful Grand Parents! It will be a blast to see you at the next level, but just as excited to watch you and the rest of your teammates in 14's 16's and 18's. — Kerstin K.

AGAINST

Kudos to her, honestly, it is a great accomplishment. I know how hard these kids and coaches work but in my opinion, it's too young. Until parents stop allowing this, it will continue. The NCAA needs to make some serious changes! And no, I'm not a disgruntled parent, my daughter had 5 D-1 offers but waited until September of her junior year to make a decision. — Michelle M.

Way too young. She's going to miss out on all the recruiting fun, having your mail box filled up with letters from colleges, all the 'courting' of the player. Does she even know what she wants to study? Sad. — Jan M.

Ridiculous....shame on Arizona. — Cheri N.

None of our business on what's too early to commit? C'mon, that's ridiculous. Would you let your 8th grade son commit to the Marines? Hell no! There are so many life variables that take place from 14-16, let alone 14-18. The NCAA needs to step in and tighten the reigns. It's unethical. — Rob R.

Watch List: Firecrackers HB - Ryono 14U

Finally, in advance of next week’s launch of the FAB 50 14U list, we’re profiling a So Cal team that’s a strong candidate to make the list.

The Firecrackers' organization is the largest in the country in terms of number of teams, but several coaches in and out of the Firecrackers have said a team to watch is the Huntington Beach-based Firecrackers HB – Ryono squad coached by Don Ryono.

Here’s an in-depth look at this team and its players with comments from the coaching staff:

EditFirecrackers HB – Ryono is a second-year 14U team and a cohesive unit -- the girls all grew up playing rec softball either together or against each other from Huntington Beach, Irvine, and Fountain Valley. When second-year 12U Rec All-Stars wrapped up in 2014, a group of the best players joined up to play travel ball together -- all for the first time. That first year they were known as Pure Fastpitch -- Ryono, and the team went through the learning cycle of travel ball, but had solid success at the same time, going 86-28-5 on the year for the 2014-2015 season.

The team stayed together and moved under the Firecracker brand. The team's skills and their bond have continued to strengthen -- so far, the team is 58-5-2 through the 2015-2016 season. They have played in five tournaments, won four championships and finished runner-up once.
 
One coach said, "The team is unique in that the girls are and were friends before even playing together as a full team. The camaraderie, trust and belief in each other, and support they show their teammates is what makes the team tick. Being part of the team, we kind of take it for granted, but hear time and time again from other teams that they wish they had the team atmosphere that Firecrackers HB Ryono has."

Even Tony Rico, the leader of the Firecrackers organization, has noticed and featured the team on one of his Firecrackers Podcasts (iTunes).

He continued, "The team wins because it has darn-good softball players, but also because they play together as a team. Easy to say, but hard to actually do!"
 
This team has nine or more players with projectable college talent at various levels. No one on the team is currently committed anywhere, but that should change this summer. The team has already earned a Power Pool spot in the Sparkler Junior Tournament in Colorado, and will be a team to watch for colleges at Zoom Into June and PGF and Triple Crown tournaments as well.
 
2014-2015 - 14U 1st Year (known as Pure Fastpitch Ryono)

• 86-28-5 record against entirely 14U competition
• PGF Premier 14U National Championships - qualified through challenging So Cal qualifier
• TCS World Series - 2nd place out of 131 teams; Gold bracket; 11-1
• Zoom Into June - 5-0
• ASA St. Paddy's Day Blast - T-7th out of 74 teams; Gold bracket
• TCS Pre-Thanksgiving Cup - 2nd place out of 56 teams  
  

2015-2016 - 14U 2nd Year - Firecrackers HB Ryono

• 58-5-2 record through February against 16U and 14U competition (dark for high school season currently)
• TCS President's Day Showdown - Champions; 1st place out of 48 teams; 10-1
  • Includes wins over Firecrackers Young (7-4), So Cal Choppers (10-2), So Cal Breakers Lab (7-4), 2x vs. So Cal A's TO/Mercado (18-6 in bracket championship and 9-6 in semi-finals), and Firecrackers Thornburg 2020 (8-0; championship)
• Ohana Tigers Winter Classic - Champions; 1st place out of 41 teams; 8-0
  • Includes wins over CA Grapettes (2-1; semi-final) and Cal Breeze (9-1; championship)
• American Athletics Toys for Tots Tournament - Runner-Up; 2nd place out of 25 teams; 5-1-1
  • Includes loss to OC Batbusters Mascarenas (7-6 on final play of game; championship)
• TCS The Don Battles On Tournament - Champions (earned guaranteed Power Pool spot in Sparkler Jr. tourney); 1st place out of 72 teams; 7-0
  • Includes wins over Firecrackers Brashear/Thornburg (2-1; quarterfinals) and So Cal A's Mercado/Smith (9-5; championship)
• TCS NIT Fireworks/Sparkler - Champions (earned paid entrance to Sparkler Jr. tourney); 1st place out of 40 teams; 7-0
  • Includes wins over Firecrackers Brashear/Thornburg (2-0; semifinals) and AZ Suncats (5-4; championship)

Firecrackers to Watch

2019 Players
(Strong core of 2019s that have already received attention from college coaches)
 
#1 - Morgan MacBeath - P
FloSoftball 2019 "Next 150 In." Clutch Pitcher that just wins (30-1 in 2015-2016 with 1 K/inn. and WHIP of 1.000). Great mix of speed, spin, and location. Not afraid to own the plate. Helps call pitches for the team when not pitching and is a smart player.
 
#14 - Megan Ryono – SS
FloSoftball 2019 "Next 150 In." Great range and arm at shortstop. Coming into her power stroke with home run and gap power. Great field leader. Can plug in anywhere and is a "plus" player. Also pitches for the team and has played catcher as well.
 
#27 - Kelly Ryono – CF
FloSoftball 2019 "Next 150 In." Incredible range and arm to lead the OF. Leadoff hitter with consistent HR power (14 HRs in 2015-2016 so far). Starts off the game right in the box. Great speed on the base paths too. Also itches for the team.
 
#45 - Serena Starks – LF
FloSoftball 2019 "Next 150 In". A lefty slapper who can lay down the bunt, chop one over the infield's head, or power slap to the gaps. Almost uncatchable out of the box and will always take the extra base. Very heady player. Also plays MIF.
 
#31 - Shayla Thomas - 3B
Very natural power. Can hit 250 foot bombs with ease (13 HRs in 2015-2016 so far). Cannon arm from the corner and deceptively fast for her strength.
 
#42 - Michelle Matsuo - 2B
Great range and arm from MIF. Find the gaps and hits the ball hard. Excellent speed to turn singles into extra bases and cover the extra ground. Also plays OF.
 
#9 - Mikaila Pancino – OF
True lefty slapper who is putting her game together. Nice burst out of the box. Can play any OF position with her speed and glove. Also plays MIF.
 
#21 - Helena Gonzalez – C
Need multiple games behind the plate in a day? Helena's your player. She has a quick snap throw on corner pick-off plays and a bat with pop. Also plays 3B.
 
#6 - Lauren Cox – UT
Always seems to make the key hit and extend the rally. Keen eye at the plate and only swings at good pitches. Great attitude and teammate. Plays corner OF and 2B mainly.
 
 
2020 Players
(All three are second year 14U players)
 
#20 - Bryn Boznanski - 1B
Perfect frame (5' 11") for the 1B bag with athleticism to cover ground or make the dig. Clutch hitter who hits the ball hard on a line drive with HR and gap power. One of the So Cal leaders in RBIs (111) as a first-year 14U player last season. Also plays SS.
 
#51 - Malia Cockrell – RF
Incredibly fast bat speed. Drives the ball to the opposite field with tons of power. The batter you want to have up at the plate when you need to knock a run or two in. High batting average and slugging production.
 
#24 - Allison O'Heany – C
Plays behind the dish at a very high level and getting better every day. Strong arm on throws to any base. Saves runs every game with her glove and field awareness. Complements her defense with a solid bat. Also plays 3B.