Things have died down a bit for the Madison County Little League softball all-stars since clobbering all competition at the district tournament and meeting Gov. Sonny Perdue before their championship win over Habersham County.
For the past two weeks, the team has practiced and waited … and waited … for its chance to get back on the field. Oh, by the way, no more politicians have dropped by the dugout.
“No, the governor hasn’t shown back up this week,” manager Jay Pridgen joked.
Madison County finally returns to the field Sunday at 4:30 p.m. when it opens state tournament play in Warner Robins, ending what will be a 17-day layoff.
The day can’t come fast enough for this 4-0 team with its sights set on winning a state title.
“We want to get back and play as quick as possible,” Pridgen said. “I hate these rests.”
Madison County, which returns seven players of last year’s state runner-up team, receives a first-round bye at state, playing the winner of Oglethorpe County and Harris County.
Having the bye means Madison County will be able to scout both the Oglethorpe County-Harris County and West Point-Warner Robins games Saturday.
“So we get kind of an advantage,” Pridgen said. “We get to look at them before we’ve got to play them.”
Though the team hasn’t played since July 2, Madison County has been hard at work. The squad has practiced everyday but twice since winning the district title.
“So they’re by no means unpolished,” Pridgen said. “They’re still working hard. We’re just ready to get down there and play.”
The state championship game of the double-elimination tournament is Thursday, with an “if needed game” scheduled for Friday.
The state champion — whoever that might be — advances on to the regionals in Ceredo-Kenova, W. Va, which start July 30. But Pridgen isn’t looking that far ahead.
“You know what’s ahead of you, but I’m trying to keep my head in line with one game at a time,” Pridgen said. “I don’t want to get too spread out.”
But those really wanting to think big and look ahead, the Little League softball World Series is in Portland, Ore. Aug. 13-19.
Should Madison County somehow get that far, its players would miss a week of school.
“That’s what keeping them driving,” Pridgen joked. “Every time I see them getting a little lazy, I’m like, ‘y’all want to got to school the first week of school don’t you?’”
