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The Northern AZ or “NAZ League” is back at it again on this weekend (Aug. 22-23) giving coaches another opportunity to evaluate players before September 1 on one of the most impressively produced virtual recruiting platforms in softball.
With the dead period pushed out to September 30 and college coaches still wanting to evaluate 2022 players, the Arizona Hotshots are holding another Northern AZ (NAZ) League tournament on August 22-23, 2020 in Payson, Arizona.
As Extra Inning Softball reported on June 9th this virtual recruiting platform provides TV quality games with announcers, replays, multiple camera angles in HD and in-game interviews with coaches and players.
“We will also have the streaming link on our website for this weekend’s tournament,” explains Brian Georges, Head Coach of the AZ Hotshots Gold Georges. “Although the entry fee cost is higher to cover the professional broadcasting fees, the end result with players getting interest and offers definitely offsets this price.”
Based on over 50 players getting increased recruiting interest this summer and hundreds of players getting added visibility (the League had over 5,000 viewers in its last July event and over 23,000 game views), Coach Georges feels that the top production values of the NAZ League was worth it.
“Our Arizona and Southern California coaches and families banded together, forever impacting the lives of hundreds of student athletes,” Georges continues. “In a time when our student-athletes lost out on graduation, prom, and a normal life, we were able to give them something back.”
“The best part of all, is not only were we able to celebrate our outgoing seniors, but we were able to create dozens of scholarship opportunities, for the remaining uncommitted student-athletes. Looking forward, we now have a viable virtual recruiting platform, engineered by Mark Rogers, the father of AZ Hotshots phenom Alannah “A1” Rogers.”
“This platform has been created, in tandem with an advisory panel, consisting of college coaches of all levels. With their continued feedback, guidance, and viewership, our platform will grow to benefit student-athletes across the Southwest.”
The Arizona Hotshots Gold – Georges had a strong summer going 17-3 including wins against heralded teams like So Cal Choppers – Keith, AZ Desert Thunder – Fowler, So Cal Batbusters – Barrett, CA All Stars and So Cal Athletics – Jendro at the USA Preps Tournament in St. George.
As a team, the Hotshots hit a torrid .437 this summer with 45 home runs in 20 games including four in a row and seven in one game, 44 doubles, seven triples, 177 RBIs, 54 steals and an OPS of 1.355.
Here are some highlights of the team from the NAZ League live streaming platform:
AZ Hotshots Top 10 Plays:
AZ Hotshots Bomb Squad (Home Run) Highlights:
With 11 committed players heading off to colleges like Stanford, Seton Hall, Furman, UTEP, Manhattan, etc., the AZ Hotshots will have a lot of shoes to fill, but according to Brian Georges he believes the team is not going to miss a beat.
“We had over 50 players (in separate position groups because of COVID-19 concerns) try out for the team and, unfortunately, there were a lot of great players that didn’t get a spot, but we did our best to make sure these players found a home in the Hotshots family and we will certainly do our best to help all of them regardless of whether they are in the organization or not.”
“With one week of practice under our belts with our new team, I can say with certainty that the future is bright. The defense, pitching, and hitting all are solid. Better yet, this group of young ladies is outstanding in the classroom.”
Coach Georges concluded, “Overall, I’m fired up about this team. We have the potential to be as good as our 2020 summer team, despite having graduated 11 amazing seniors. From a NAZ league perspective, we really appreciate all the support from the Arizona organizations that have participated.”
“We’re looking forward to this fall, we expect a large influx of teams from across the Southwest and, come the end of September and early part of October, once tryout season has concluded. The competition and overall level of play will be tops. The future is bright!”
AZ Hotshots Current Fall Schedule:
- 8/22 – 8/23 NAZ League Tournament in Payson, AZ
- 9/26 – 9/27 NAZ League Tournament in Payson, AZ
- 10/3 – 10/4 NAZ League Tournament in Payson, AZ
- 10/10 – 10/11 USA Preps Tournament in Prescott, AZ
- 10/24 – 10/25 NAZ League Tournament in Payson, AZ
- 11/21 – 11/22 NAZ League Tournament in Payson, AZ
Anyone interested in the NAZ League can contact Brian Georges at 480-239-4229.
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The 2020-21 Arizona Hotshots – Georges team consists of the following new and returning players (comments by Brian Georges)… scroll down to read their bios including one standout 2021 already committed to an SEC school!