As we continue our tour across the nation profiling top club and high school teams of every age, we head to the South today to look at a 14U team that can make some noise this year.

The Birmingham Bolts 01 team, coached by Keith Dorsett, is is a Top 25 caliber team and recently had a player commit to the SEC. You can bet many more will go to top conferences and commit before the year is over…

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FullCountSoftball.com: When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Keith Dorsett: We started as second year 8U team in the Bolts organization.  Our overall record is 294-70-5.

FCS.com: Geographically, where do your athletes come from?
KD: We are based out of Birmingham, Ala., but our athletes actually hail from six different states: Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Missouri. Eight out of 13 of our girls are from out of state.

FCS.com: What is the top priority for the Bolts in terms of mission or purpose?
KD: Our purpose was initially to develop skills in the young girls. We are still focused on skill building as well as showcasing our athletes in hopes to help each one find the right college fit.

FCS.com: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
KD: As an 8U team, we won the USFA World Series, as second year 10’s we finished 9^th at ASA Nationals. As a first year 12U team, we finished 13^th at PGF and we finished 9^th at PGF as second year 12’s.

FCS.com: What makes the organization unique?
KD: The most unique characteristic about the Bolts organization is that we only allow one team in per age group/year. The Bolts founder and 18 Premier Head Coach Richard Shea isn’t trying to grow this organization into a money-making softball empire. He cares about the successes of every girl on each of the Bolts teams. The Bolts are also fortunate to have experienced coaches and former athletes helping our entire organization like former Arizona State All-American Katelyn Boyd, Rocky Thompson, and Jackie Beener.

FCS.com: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
KD: I started coaching when my oldest daughter was younger. When she moved on to competitive ball, I began coaching my second daughter, Abbie. When we decided to become a competitive team, my good friend Jay Roberson, who was currently with the Bolts, encouraged us to become a Bolts 8U team.

FCS.com: How many teams are there in the organization overall?
KD: 11 teams total.

FCS.com: Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
KD: I think our defining moment came during the 2014 PGF Nationals when we faced the SoCal A’s in bracket play with both teams undefeated at that point. It was an intense and exciting environment early on with college coaches all around, watching warm ups and then the game. We battled for eight long innings; ultimately, we lost, and they later went on to win the championship. Our team’s drive and skills to compete with a nationally recognized team identified us as a team worthy of the top level of competition. Had we won that game, who knows how long we could have made it!

FCS.com: What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
KD: Our most important goal is to get all of our girls committed. Our next focus is on winning PGF Nationals!

FCS.com: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
KD: Our strength is the balance we have on our team. We have both powerful hitters as well as speed. Our pitching will also keep us in games.

FCS.com: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
KD: We’ve put together a team with athletes from the eastern half of the United States. Because of this, we can’t practice on a regular basis, which means these young ladies have to be committed to working on their own, year round. It takes great dedication and sacrifice to travel and play on this team; they have to truly love the game to do it.

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The following comments of each player on the roster for the Birmingham Bolts 01 team were made by Coach Keith Dorsett:

— C/1B Abby Allen (2020, uncommitted)
“Abby is also a tough defensive catcher with a strong bat. She is quick behind the plate and has a strong arm and can also play first base. She is another power hitter who also hit two home runs during our 2014 PGF Nationals. We expect Abby to be a strong force in our power lineup.”

— SS/OF Meghan Cassidy (2019, uncommitted)
“Meghan is simply a strong athlete. She can play anywhere but is an effective middle infielder. She has nice range and a strong arm, also making her an option in the outfield. Meghan hits mostly for contact but is a strong bat who can also hit for power. We can use her anywhere in the line-up from the 1 or 2 hole to cleanup.”

— P/OF Maci Cunconan (2019, uncommitted)
“Maci is our lefty from Kansas City, Mo. She spins the ball well with nice velocity. Maci’s maturity on the mound is evident and her pitching IQ is advanced! She faces batters up through the Gold level and never changes her approach or emotions. Maci wants to face the biggest hitters she possibly can. She hits for contact, bunts, and runs the bases well. Maci is fast and can also play outfield too.”

— OF/2B Abbie Dorsett (2020, uncommitted)
“Abbie is a slapper who is not intimidated at the plate at all. She is small and fast, making her tough to pitch to. Abbie can place a slap as well as slap for power. She is a very confident athlete. Her speed makes her effective anywhere in the outfield.”

— 2B Chloe Fabio (2020, uncommitted)
“Chloe is undoubtedly one of the best defensive players in her age group. She has textbook mechanics for an infielder and is simply a tough kid. There’s nobody better at fielding a ball. She is a strong kid who hits for contact. She will ‘wow’ coaches with her fielding!”

— OF Lindsey Gilbert (2018, uncommitted)
“Lindsey (‘Lou’) is a lefty slapper from Kansas City, Mo. Lou is not just fast but is also one of the quickest kids out of the box. Lou is instinctive on the bases and has a high softball IQ. She can get around the bases as fast as anyone out there. She understands how to pressure the game and her speed makes her an effective outfielder as well.”

— OF Maddie Majors (2019, uncommitted)
“Maddie brings our team speed, both in the field and at the plate. She has great control of the bat and can place a slap anywhere. Maddie is fast and will make an impact at the front of the lineup. Her speed enables her to cover enormous ground in the outfield, making her an outstanding center fielder. Her strong arm also makes her an effective outfielder.”

— Jordyn Manning (2019, uncommitted)
“Jordyn is our right handed pitcher from West Monroe, La. Jordyn is strong with great velocity as well as spin. She is also mature for her age and looking for strong competition. Jordyn is a hard worker who throws everything. Her pitching IQ is also advanced. She can play first base and is a tough infielder. Jordyn hits for power and is a strong force in our line-up.”

— OF/2B Carlee McCondichie (2019, uncommitted)
“Carlee is our leadoff hitter. She has speed and sees the ball well. Carlee is versatile and can slap and hit for power. She is not intimidated at anything pitchers throw at her and her speed makes her an effective outfielder. Carlee is also versatile in the field and can play middle infield as well.”

— 3B Caitlin McCrary (2019, Tennessee)
“Caitlin (‘KK’) is a tough kid, making her a great third baseman. Her presence in the infield is strong. One of KK’s biggest strength is her bat. Caitlin has fast hands and her bat speed separates her from other girls. She sees the ball well and we will look to her to lead the team with power.”

— SS/P Whitney Tate (2019, uncommitted)
Whitney is a versatile athlete. Her range and athleticism make her a great shortstop and all-around infielder. She also pitches and will make a great addition to our pitching staff this season. She is a switch hitter who hits for power from the right and can also slap.”

— OF Brylie St Clair (2019, uncommitted)
“Brylie is a fast outfielder who can cover a lot of ground. She is a tough kid who is willing to sacrifice her body to lay out for a ball. She is a slapper who can also hit for contact and power. Brylie will be a triple threat as well this season. Her speed makes her a tough out.”

— C Kassidy Wilcox (2019, uncommitted)
“Kassidy is a tough and focused kid, both offensively and defensively. She is strong for her age with a live arm behind the plate. She catches varsity as a middle school athlete, so her experience is great. Kassidy is a power hitter who we know will be hitting her share of home runs this coming season. She hit two homer uns in our 2014 PGF Nationals.”