The Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals begin today in four divisions—18U Premier, 18U Platinum, 12U an 10U with pool play to start in the afternoon.

First, however, is a coaches draw breakfast Saturday morning and the beginning of teams checking in at 12:30 pm with the first pool games starting at 2 pm today.  Pool play will run through Monday and then bracket play goes to Friday when the championships take place at Bill Barber Stadium in Irvine, Calif.

You can read more about the PGF 18U Premier Nationals by going to our Event Primer

There are a lot of interesting story lines going into the sixth summer of PGF Nationals.

The first is the start of the 10U division and, according to a source close to PGF, “all the top 10U teams are playing in the nationals.”

At the highest level of competition—the 18U Premier—the first four National Championships went to the So Cal A’s teams coached by Bruce Richardson. Last year, however, the A’s tied for third as two other top Southern California teams—the OC Batbusters lead by Mike Stith and Gary Haning won it all over the Marty Tyson-coached Corona Angels.

Most feel the Batbusters are the clear-cut team to take the title again this year, but anything can happen under the intense spotlight that is the PGF National Championship week.

If the favorites falter, could this be the year a non-California team is crowned champion? It honestly looks to be another strong year for the Golden State usual powers, but anything could happen… this is why they play the games!

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Here’s a list of the 10 teams most expect have the best chance to win 18U Premier:

• OC Batbusters – Haning/Stith (Calif.)
• So Cal A’s – Richardson (Calif.)
• Beverly Bandits – Conroy (Ill.)
• Corona Angels – Tyson (Calif.)
• Birmingham Thunderbolts – Shea (Ala.)
• Jersey Intensity – KOD (N.J.)
• All American Sports Academy – Merida (Calif.)
• Lady Lightning Gold Team Miken – Corn (N.C.)
• Firecrackers – Rico (Calif.)
• Sorcerer Gold – Aguayo

Other serious contenders: Explosion – Denio (Calif.), Impact Gold – Jackson (Texas), Texas Glory – Shelton, Illinois Chill, NW Bullets – Campos

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12U Teams to Watch:

• OC Batbusters – Mascarenas
• Firecrackers – TJ
• So Cal Choppers 02 – Gibson
• NW Bullets
• Diamond Sports Hotshots
• Beverly Bandits
• Corona Angels
• Thunderbolts 02

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10U Teams to Watch:

• Diamond Sports Hotshots
• Texas Chaos
• OC Batbusters – Flores
• So Cal A’s – Mercado/Kinch
• Fury 04
• Most Wanted
• Texas Shock