By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

According to Troup County 13-14-year-old all-stars coach Johnny Green, the future of Troup County softball is bright.

So bright, in fact, that his team is already showing signs of things to come for area high school programs.

“More and more girls are getting into softball,” Green said. “They’re going to make the high schools real happy.”

Two members of the team, which will begin play in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state tournament on July 9 in Spalding County, will likely join varsity squads this upcoming fall.

Krissy Allen will attend Callaway, and Kendall Woodall will be a Troup Tiger, and both are upcoming sophomores.

Green and his all-star team have a few things to cross off their lists this summer, however, and that includes a state championship.

Green was an assistant coach on last year’s 11-12 state-title team, and several players were also on that squad.

With the help of some scrimmages prior to the state tournament, the 13-14 team knows what to do in order to prepare for a championship.

“We’re just trying to get them to gel,” Green said. “These girls make a lot of good plays in practice, but there are so many variables when playing a game. We’re getting better.”

The team will scrimmage the all-stars from West Point as well as the Troup County 11-12 team next week before heading to the state tournament.

Green won’t need to worry about batting consistency, either, because he has some sluggers on his roster.

In fact, the team is “coming out well” in nearly every aspect of the game.

“I think we’re pretty good all the way around,” Green said. “The girls are hitting real well and we’ve got good pitching and defense.”

Green said the hitting is “on par” with last year’s 11-12 state-title team, despite the faster pitches that come along with an older age division.

“We’ve got some who can really hit it,” Green said. “They’ve come along nicely with the faster pitching.”

Despite the state title aspirations, Green only wants his team to enjoy the all-star experience and have fun with each other.

“(The players are) becoming friends and they’re talking to each other on the field,” Green said. “Of course we want to win, but it’s mostly about just having fun.”