Club News: Top 10-Finishing National 16U Team Joins Atlanta Vipers Organization

Things move fast in the state of Georgia, especially in the club softball world.

It’s not uncommon for teams that compete in late Summer events like PGF Nationals to find themselves flying back to the Peach State and walking right into their high school softball season.

That was the case for Allen Wiggins’ East Cobb Bullets team that made a great run at PGF Platinum Nationals; the squad finished 9^th as it played through July 29^th and four days later the athletes were competing in an August 2^nd high school game!

The PGF Nationals finish was another highpoint for the team which has accomplished the following over the last five years:

• 2021: Top 10 finishes this Summer at PGF and Colorado Sparkler
• 2020: PGF berth before COVID cancelled the Summer season
• 2019: 25^th place finish at Colorado Sparkler Power Pool; 16^th Place at Triple Crown Nationals
• 2018: 4^th place at USA Nationals in Spartanburg, South Carolina; 9^th place at USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Championship in Kansas City
• 2017: USSSA 12U National Champions

In the time between club finishing and high school starting, Wiggins started reflecting upon the season and at the same time read the Extra Inning Softball article about questions to ask about self-improvement, or as Coach Wiggins describes it:

“Looking at the big picture of seasonal player movement and the importance of player, team and organizational alignment as keys to success for parents and players.”

His takeaway?

“As always, good teams work to get better and great teams self-evaluate to make changes!”

It was during this time an opportunity presented itself to join the home-based Atlanta Vipers organization and was something the coach realized: “We had to seriously think about” since both organizations are nationally known and provide different benefits and exposure for the girls.”

There was an opening, Wiggins concluded, with Stacy Tamborra’s nationally successful team moving up to 18U Gold.

“The opportunity was there to take over the second year 16U slot and carry on the winning tradition of the Vipers organization,” the coach continued.

“This was very appealing and led to deeper discussions where both parties realized philosophies and goals for the girls aligned very well and the fit within the organizational and coaching mindset of everyone involved to develop these girls.”

“We have competed against Stacy and the Vipers for years and have admired the way they run their teams and program.  I have respected their teams continued national success year after year, while keeping true to their philosophy and focus, of having a core group of quality teams that compete and win at such a high level.”

That high level included three of the program’s teams finishing as a Top 40-ranked program at the end of the year (Vipers – Tamborra, Vipers – Harris and Vipers – Palazzo).

“We have enjoyed our time with the Bullets and have made a lot of great friends, however we are really excited about this next step in our girls’ evolution and look forward to seeing them reach their goals as part of the Vipers’ organization.

Some of the 2023 grads moved up to 18’s, Wiggins says, “but the rest of the key players instrumental in our success in 2021 all returned.”

*** Scroll down to see who the returning standouts are for the new Vipers team and who are key new additions…

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