WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny with Amateur Softball Association Reports. August 11, 2004: The NY-NJ-Brooklyn Beach Girls 18-Under Fastpitch Softball team with Westchester's own Katie McNamara, Allie Gardiner and White Plains Tiger Kelsey Kulk contributing to the success of the club is playing the Arizona Heatwave right now in Marietta Georgia in the massive 65-team 18-Under Fastpitch Softball Championship. Maddy Coon of Horace Greeley is participating in the same tournament with the powerhouse Virginia Shamrocks. They're playing in front of an estimated 200 college coaches, 1,000 or more parents and hundreds more spectators.
Now Batting for the Beach Girls....White Plains Tiger Kelsey Kulk, shown at the Easton Angels 18-Under showcase at Edison, New Jersey in July. Photo from WPCNR Sports Archive.
Featured in that tournament and playing for the New York New Jersey Beach Girls will be four top gun Westchester-Putnam All Section players: White Plains Tigers own Kelsey Kulk; Ali Gardiner of John Jay, Cross River, and Katie McNamara of Putnam Valley. Also in action will be Westchester's All World player, Maddy Coon of Horace Greeley playing for the Virginia Shamrocks.
ALLY GARDINER FIRING for the Beach Girls at the Edison Showcase. The Beach Girls lost 2-0 to the Lady Gators in Pool M Tuesday and are playing the Arizona Heatwave midday Wednesday. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.
The GOLD rush began Monday. Sixty-five 18-under fast pitch teams from throughout the United States are competing in the 12th Annual ASA's Girls' 18-under GOLD Fast Pitch National Championship Finals, through August 15 in Marietta, GA. The teams are divided into 17 pools with pool play that began Tuesday and continues this morning before the double elimination play begins tonight.
KATIE MCNAMARA LAUNCHING TO THE PLATE FOR THE BEACH GIRLS AT THE EDISON SHOWCASE. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.
Last year in Eugene, OR the Orange Country Batbusters were unbeaten (6-0) in the 64 team field. They are seeking the first ever three-peat this year in Marietta.
Since 1996, the Batbusters have compiled a 47-10 record in this event with national titles in 2002, 2003 and 1997 and second place finishes in 2000 and 1998. In 1996, the Batbusters finished 13th, were seventh in 2001 and fourth in 1999. They were undefeated in this event in 2002 and 2003 and will be seeking to extend their winning streak, which is now at 13 in a row in ASA National Championship competitions.
CHAPPAQUA'S MADDY COON SNEAKING IN ON A BUNT FOR THE SHAMROCKS AT THE SHOWCASE IN JULY. The Shamrocks are taking aim at the Batbusters. They beat the Tulsa Eagles Tuesday morning and the Washington Lady Hawks, 1-0 to go 2-0 in Pool M Tuesday. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.
With this tournament you can expect an overflow crowd of the nation's top college coaches in attendance. "We had 225 college coaches when we hosted this event in 2001," said ASA Tournament Director Brooks Tinsley of the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. "We are expecting at least 200 plus this year and we will have separate viewing areas behind each backstop for the coaches."
Two complexes will be utilized for the pool play and early double elimination games (AL Bishop and Lost Mountain) with the championship game scheduled for 1 p.m. August 15th at Lost Mountain. For daily updates, please visit the tournament website hosted by Cobb County Parks and Recreation at
