The Atlanta Vipers have been a mainstay on the Georgia club softball scene for the past 20 years, but their organization is not limited to within state lines. In an interview with FloSoftball, Atlanta Vipers-Johnson 16U coach P.J. Johnson explains how the program's expansion into Florida welcomed his team into the Viper family last year. He also goes down the Vipers' roster and describes what each of his players brings to the team.

FloSoftball: When did the Atlanta Vipers-Johnson 16U team start and how did it come to be?
Johnson: We have officially been with the Vipers since January of 2016. Originally, I was with the FL Diamond Girlz, a local organization out of Orlando, Florida. We were a competitive 14U team and were starting to think how we could improve the exposure of our athletes. That fall we went to the Veteran's Tribute Classic in Georgia; Todd Jennings (Vipers president) and Drew Yantis (Vipers treasurer) were at the event and noticed us playing. After one of our Saturday games we introduced ourselves and agreed to have dinner that night. They discussed expanding into Florida but wanted to start slow, and we were wanting to take our team to a high-profile and respected travel organization to further our recruiting efforts. So I guess you could say we perfect for each other.  

Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state)? 
We are based out of Altamonte Springs, Florida, about 15 minutes outside of Orlando. Our athletes come from all over Florida. We have athletes from West Palm Beach, Gainesville, Tampa area, etc.

What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)? 
As a former football player, my goal has always been to create the environment where the athlete can blossom to the highest level they can by positive, constructive work along with learning accountability in yourself and your teammates. I noticed that there were too many teams around the area that were in disarray and girls were bouncing from team to team for a variety of reasons. I created an interview process where the parents had to answer a questionnaire. I called it "The 3 Os" -- One view, One goal, One heartbeat. It has worked out great!

What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
We have placed in the top 10 in win percentage at every showcase we attended in 2016 as well as this past summer qualifying for ASA nationals in South Dakota. We finished in the top 30, not bad considering we had some new athletes on the team and had only been playing together for six months.

What makes the organization unique?
The Vipers celebrated their 20 year anniversary in 2016 and have helped over 280 athletes achieve their goal of playing softball in college. They were voted the No. 5 travel organization nationally in 2016. 

What's your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
2017 marks my 11th year in travel ball. I started with the City of Altamonte Springs rec ball league in 2006, coaching my oldest daughter. In 2009, we branched out into the club ball world and continued to grow to where we are now with the Atlanta Vipers.

How many teams are there in the organization overall?
The Vipers have two teams per age group from 10U-18U in Georgia. In Florida, my first year 16U and a brand new 12U team.

Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team's history?
I would have to say it's when we qualified for ASA nationals this past summer. It was a wonderful experience and a true vision for the team to understand why hard work pays off and to never lose sight of where each and every one of them want to go!

What is your primary focus or goal with this team? To enrich the the lives of every athlete and family on this team, to help gain a college scholarship for every player, and to represent the Atlanta Vipers to the highest level with professionalism and competitive play at every showcase and national event we attend.

What do you think are the strengths of the team? Unity, accountability, diversity with the bats. Fall of 2016 our team batting average was .483.

If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be? That the organization has believed since its inception that the size of the organization doesn't matter...it's the quality of the teams and the focus the the coaches share.

Anything else interesting or fun to know about why Atlanta Vipers-Johnson 16U should be considered a top team? Some would consider us the red-headed step child of the organization, and that's fine. But we intend to show up and grind from the first pitch to the last and make our claim to be one of the top teams here in the Southeast this season. That's a bold statement considering some of the teams in this part of the country, but we have every intention to be considered a top 25 team by the end of the spring/summer season and going into our second year of 16s. Go Viper Nation!

Meet Atlanta Vipers-Johnson 16U

#8 Morgan Watral P/UT (2020 Uncommitted)
Morgan is one of our veterans on the team but also one of the youngest. She has a great knack for working a pitch count and reaping the benefit more times than not. She's focused on the mound, stone-faced even.

#14 Zoe Rodgers P/UT (2020 Uncommitted)
Pressure pitcher! She never lets a situation get the best of her. Tall for her age so has long stride with long arms to give that deceiving delivery. She has an infectious personality. Everybody tends to gravitate to her.

#42 Karyana Mitchell P/INF (2020 Uncommitted)
Karyana came to us a little late in the season but fit right in to our little family. She is such a positive young lady with natural athletic ability. Great focus and great values makes me excited to see just what this 60-plus mph pitcher can do for us this season!

#9 Stacy Hudson C/INF (2019 Uncommitted)
Stacy came to me this season a little underutilized but has become one of my leaders and captains of this team. Hands down, she has strongest arm. Very mature when calling pitches behind the plate. She also has one of the most consistent bats on the team.

#24 Kelly Swank C/INF (2020 Uncommitted)
Twenty-eight home runs since June, Kelly is a power hitter plain and simple. With a 1.61 slugging percentage, she has the goods. She has an excellent eye for the ball behind the plate with unmatched work ethic.

#22 Taylor Mcfann INF (2019 Uncommitted)
I was a fan of Taylor for some time and wanted her to play for me, so when the opportunity presented itself, well you can imagine I was thrilled! She has this personality that is just wonderful, always smiling. As a player she is a lead-by-example kind of athlete. She's consistent at doing her job with the glove and the bat.

#19 Claire Ginder INF (2020 Uncommitted)
Claire came to us from Virginia and has been quite the addition. She has a great eye for the ball and can hit for productivity from anywhere in the lineup. Long-bodied, she has tremendous speed and range in the field. Her worker-bee mentality is infectious. 

#10 Audra Thompson INF (2019 Uncommitted)
Audra is as passionate as they come. She's one of the most well-rounded softball players. She understands situations during the game and knows how to place the ball where it needs to be when it counts. Audra is versatile on both sides of the infield. She's excellent teammate on and off the field.

#30 Alannis Berrios INF (2019 Uncommitted)
This transplanted So Cal Breaker brings that West Coast mentality to the team. She's one of the smartest players I have ever come across. She sees the play unfold before it happens and looks for the play after the play. Alannis is the quite leader on the team and shows it with a clutch bat!

#32 Christian Glenn OF (2019 Uncommitted)
Christian definitely is our dugout motivator. She keeps everyone alive in there! Not to be mistaken is her incredible outfield range. I've seen this kid run down balls that you'd say there's no way but poof! She's a grinder at the plate and is blessed with speed.

#16 Ashton Palmer OF (2019 Uncommitted) 
This girl is the voice of the team. Hands down, she is the best communicator I have ever seen no matter what age division. This young lady never stops working, never stops smiling, never stops believing! She's speedy and gives her body up to make plays. Slapper/switch hitter that can place the ball. Loyal to the core!