13U ARK-LA-TEX TORNADOES

A team to keep your eyes on this week at the Tulsa Super NIT is Ark-La-Tex Tornado (TX).  The team was formed six years ago and travels around the country looking for a game.  As one proud parent said, “they are a good group of kids, country boys, from the three states of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas”.  Four of the players are from Shreveport (LA) seven are from Texas and one is from Arkansas.

The team was not ranked in Travel Ball Select’s preseason poll as a result of them not playing in the fall.  The Tornados were playing ball but it was of the pigskin type.  However, this spring the boys have traded in their cleats for spikes - and what an impressive start by the Tornados.  So far the team has compiled 19 wins and no loses prior to this past weekend’s trip to Dallas to play up against 14U AAA competition.  They were hoping the trip to Dallas would prepare them for the better competition they expect to see at the Super NIT in Tulsa.

You might remember this team as last year they won the Super Series National Championship by beating TBS 12th ranked Memphis Travelers twice.

This year they want to make sure everyone knows who they are as they have plans to play in four Super NITs in hopes they will win at least one and earn a trip to the Elite World Series.  They also have a commitment to return and defend their Super Series National Championship.

Get use to these names as you will hear more about them in the near future:


TEAM PROFILE:

ROBBY HORN – 5’9”, 140# Greenwood, Louisiana ~ plays basketball and is an avid hunter.  Great contact hitter.  Has pitched 2 perfect games. Good athlete and student.

RYAN LEONE – 5’7”, 125# Keithville, Louisiana ~ great basketball and football player.  Has a quick bat and is a returning All-World performer from Super Series National Championship 2007.  Great student.

WESTON STEELHAMMER – 5’7”, 125# Greenwood, Louisiana ~ plays basketball, football.  Great all-around athlete; no place Weston can’t play.  Super attitude and academically has never had any grade lower than “A”.

CAMERON BURNS – 5’8”, 170# Stonewall, Louisiana ~ plays football, basketball; will likely be next of a long line of great quarterbacks from Shreveport, Louisiana area.  Real gunslinger from the shotgun position.  Bats clean-up for TORNADO!  Coach’s dream attitude.  Nickname “Bulldog.”  Great student.

LOGAN PETERSON – 5’6”, 155# Camden, Arkansas ~ plays basketball.  Co-MVP of Super Series National Championship 2007; threw a perfect game.  Has no weaknesses; great speed, hits with power, big game pitcher.  Good student.

LEE RALEY – 5’4”, 120# Atlanta, Texas ~ His dad is the Varsity baseball coach at Atlanta High School.  Can play any position, great instincts.  Plays football, basketball and pole vaults for the track team.  Nickname “Rabbitt.”  Good student.

SHELDON NEUSE – 5’6”, 130# Ft. Worth, Texas ~ comes to the TORNADO! team from Texas Stealers organization which disbanded in 2007.  Plays football, basketball and runs track.  Has great athletic ability and can play any position.  Great attitude; leads by example.  Coach’s dream type player.  Good student.

LUCAS WEARDEN – 5’4”, 120# Dallas, Texas ~ plays basketball.  Utility player and handles every position well.  Hits in lead-off position.  High on-base percentage.  Teammates nicknamed him “Super Luke.”  Good student.


JARED THOMPSON – 5’6”, 173#  Dallas, Texas ~ plays football and runs track.  Nickname “J-rod.”  Best switch hitter with power coaches have seen at his age.  In one game Jared hit a homerun over 300’ fence left-handed, and next time at bat did the same thing right-handed.  Can beat you with speed and power.  Big game pitcher.  Good student.

WADE OLIVER – 5’3”, 115# Wichita Falls, Texas ~ all around complete player.  Can play all positions.  Great team player; never questions any role he is asked to play.  Works hard every game to get better.  Excellent student.

BLAINE BAGLEY – 6’0”, 200# San Marcos, Texas ~ first year with TORNADO! team.  Great pitcher, powerful hitter.  Plays football and will play varsity football and baseball as freshman next year.  Terrific physical talent with great attitude.  Good student.

DALTON McCARTY – 5’9”, 170# Maud, Texas ~ new to TORNADO!  Has blazing speed and can hit with power.  Plays multi-positions.  Works hard each week to improve his talents.  Good student.

GARRETT WILLIAMS – 5’11”, 150# Lubbock, Texas ~ multi-sport athlete.  Will join the TORNADO! Team in June.  Garrett pitched in Texas Regional in 2007 to take his National Little League team on to the World Series in Williamsport, PA.  He tied the all time strikeout record in single game by striking out 18 batters.  Will play varsity baseball as freshman.  Good student.

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