UPDATED 14u Top Team Rankings – May 22, 2009 – Pre ASA State

[bracketologist]

UPDATED 14u Top Team Rankings – May 22, 2009 – Pre ASA States

14u Top Team Rankings – May 22, 2009 – Pre ASA States

Poll welcomed most of the 94’ coaches back!

My new comments section should get the blood going before ASA State.

After 12u States this weekend will finish adding the remaining 5 teams

31. Mizuno USA 14U
32. USA Athletics 14u 95
33. San Diego Legacy 14U
33. American Athletics 14U
35. Cerritos Franchise


Newcomers to the poll (no longer under the radar):


Biggest Gainers in Poll:


Biggest Drop in Poll:


1. Victory USA (Campbell) (poll pts. Avg. 29.7)(previous rank #1 – pts 28.6)(Plus or minus movement in poll - 0)
Coaches/Pollsters/Bracket Comments: The best for sure. Seem to be replying on some young players, but by far the best coaching in 14u. We will see if HS ball has impacted the coaching. You can count on them performing well on big stage, based on experience and coaching. See after the big friendly. Top defense.

Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (0-0 WIN PCT .000): F/Lakewood 0-0; CA-Tyson 0-0; F-Cordova 0-0; CA-Holt 0-1; SC-Hurricanes 0-0; CE 94 0-0; SC-Jets 0-0]

2. Firecrackers/Lakewood (poll pts. Avg. 26.9)(#2 & pts. 26.9)(0)
Strong bats and coaching. Not sure about pitching yet (new kid in circle) - No Nancy and without her this is not the same team. But they have beaten some good 18Gold teams. Good hitting and coaching.

Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (0-0 WIN PCT .000): Victory Camp 0-0; CA-Tyson 0-0; F-Cordova 0-0; CA-Holt 0-0; SC-Hurricanes 0-0; CE 94 0-0; SC-Jets 0-0]

3. Corona Angels (Tyson) – (poll pts. Avg. 25.8)(#3 – 25.4)(0)
Have always been top 3 in this class. Is #9 still in the circle? If so too much experience. Plenty of attitude - but can they back it up?

Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (0-0 WIN PCT .000): F/Lakewood 0-0; Victory Camp 0-0; F-Cordova 0-0; CA-Holt 0-0; SC-Hurricanes 0-0; CE 94 0-0; SC-Jets 0-0]

4. Firecrackers (Cordova) – (Poll pts 24.4)(poll pts. Avg. 25.0)(#4 – 25.0)(0)
Will be a scary team at states and nationals! Very good pitching, not sure they can score enough on a consistent basis to beat the top 94 teams. Bet they wish that they stayed under the radar - just a bit longer. If hitting can match pitching, they will be fine. Best talent in the division. Dare I say it - they might be #1, 3 great pitchers

Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (1-4 WIN PCT .000): Victory Camp 0-0: F/Lakewood 0-0; CA-Tyson 0-0; CA-Holt 0-1; SC-Hurricanes 0-0; CE 94 1-0; SC-Jets 0-3]

5. Corona Angels (Holt)/SI Elite – (Poll pts 22.7)(#5 pts. Avg. 23.2)(0)
I think a better overall team then Tyson. May have the depth to beat top 5 teams. A steady team, that just kepts coming at you! Was the fall season a fluke?

Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (4-0-1 WIN PCT .000): Victory Camp 1-0; F/Lakewood 0-0; CA-Tyson 0-0; F-Cordova 1-0; SC-Hurricanes 1-0; CE 94 0-0; SC-Jets 1-0-1]

6. So Cal Hurricanes - –(Poll pts. 21.6)(#6 pts. Avg. 21.0)(0)
At some point the defense must catch up! Sooner or later the defensive mistakes will bring you down. Agree hitting is their strength. Good Hitting/Pitching. Need to be more consistent on both offensive and defense.

Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (0-0 WIN PCT .000): Victory Camp 0-0: F/Lakewood 0-0; CA-Tyson 0-0; F-Cordova 0-0; CA-Holt 0-1; CE 94 0-0; SC-Jets 0-0]

7. So Cal Jets – (Poll pts. 20.1)(#8 -pts. Avg. 19.2)(+1)
Pitching is turning around, new pitcher will help. They now have two #1 pitchers. Deepest pitching outside of the top 5. Solid core.


Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (0-0 WIN PCT .000): Victory Camp 0-0; F/Lakewood 0-0; CA-Tyson 0-0; F-Cordova 3-0; CA-Holt 0-1-1; SC-Hurricanes 0-0; CE 94 0-0;

8. Corona Eliminators 94 – (Poll pts 19.5)(#7 - pts. Avg. 20.2.)(-1)
If they lack that "us against the world attitude" - they will not be a contender. So it's time for them to put up or shut up. This team can hit, but like the majority of the teams in the NCAA super regional are this year - they really do not have a dominant #1 pitcher. Not sure if they have played enough of the top teams.

Tournament record vs. Top 8 Teams: (0-0 WIN PCT .000): Victory Camp 0-0: F/Lakewood 0-0; CA-Tyson 0-0; F-Cordova 0-1; CA-Holt 0-0; SC-Hurricanes 0-0; SC-Jets 0-0]


9. Lakewood Ladies – (poll pts. Avg. 17.6)(0)
Not sure who is coming back - and if not - where are those 2 players going? Could be some wishful thinking on a coaches part (had the same thing in 12u with a coach claiming to have recruited 2 key girls off of Jynx - did not happen). Wait and see. Team has a lot of pressure to perform well, but it is a tough team. Is the pitching strong enough - you need consistent pitching to move up in the poll.

10. TNL (Blue) - (pts. avg. 15.8)(+2)
Wait and see who is on this team. Is this the 94 team? Is this the team that won Fresno? Might be top 5 - lefty pitcher is very good.

11. SoCal Wicked 94 – (pts. Avg. 15.0)(-1)
Can beat anyone - but not consistent. Up and down, maybe rating is higher than actual performance. Most inconsistent team in top 10. Not sure if they finished well before HS. Maybe a couple players away. Good hitting team.


12. Corona Angels (Smith) – (poll pts. Avg. 14.8) (-1)
Good coaching and the experience of being there before is a plus - but a beatable team. A great team was destroyed by the moving van (lost to many players)! Some say this team is waiting to explode, while others claim they need to add another pitcher and replace some of the bats they lost - time will tell. Yesterday, yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away... but I believe in yesterday!


13. Minors Gold 95 – (pts. Avg. 13.8)(0)
Good team that is improving with solid pitching that can beat anyone on any given day. Did not have a great Fresno - struggle against good pitching. Lost to Choppers in great pitching game - solid team. Good pitching maybe some issues hitting. Maybe a couple players away but they have a true #1 pitcher. Need to stay in winner bracket longer than most teams. Great coaching, 3 great pitchers, need more hitting!

14. TNL Gold (pts 12.3)(+7)
This is the team with the Lefty Pitcher, SS, & CF. Lets be real - if they decided to put the best of 94 with the best of 95 - that would be a top 4 team. If team gets lefty pitcher then easy top 10. 95 team? I'm sure they will be good. All of the above is based on rumors – blue vs. gold it seems only Chris & Jerry know.

15. Victory USA 95 - (poll pts. Avg. 11.6)(-1)
Have started to play better ball, but a disappointing season thus far - still need to add some players

16. OC Batbusters (McNee) - (pts. avg.10.1)(0)
Wait and see, they may need some additional pitching. A very unsettled in terms of pitching for this time of the year.

17. San Diego Renegades - (pts. avg. 9.7)(+19)
Very underrated! Competitive team that started to play better ball at Fresno and this has carried over to making the finals at TCS Mothers Day. Getting better….just ask them! Like Lakewood Firecrackers and Campbell Victory will benefit at Nationals because of the fences!

18. OC Elite 94 - (pts. avg. 8.6)(-3)
Need to see more, but has enough pitching to carry the team. Time will tell. A lot of movement in this organization, we'll see who's left.

19. Team Smith 95 - (pts. 7.9)(-1)
Wait and see, also a few players away… they may need some additional pitching help. With an additional strong pitcher, could be top 10

20. Mavericks 94 (pts. 6.7)(+14)
Will surprise many people, so they could be a sleeper as the majority of players from fall SD Thunder (Dodd). Have a solid lineup, but do they break up after states?

21. Primetime Elite Black (pts 6.1)(-4)
Need to see more, but maybe a few players away.

22. Mizuno Pride 95 – (pts. Avg. 4.9)(-3)
Struggling right now. SOP (Save Our Pitcher) - has not been answered. Need some additional pitching help and a couple of more bats.

23. Irvine Sting 95 - (pts. avg. 3.7)(+13)
Was it luck in Fresno? Good team, but not at the level that will enable them to compete with top teams, maybe TCS type of team.

24. So Cal Stingers - (pts. avg. 3.1)(+16)
Like Victory SS - starting to play better. Good group of hitters - if you just throw heat they will hit it! Should be top 29

24. So Cal Choppers 14U (pts. 3.1)(0)
Ok at Fresno in Silver bracket, have pitching issues or not able to effectively utilize the pitchers they have? Rumor has it they lost 2 key players (revolving door)? Solid team that was showing signs they can hang with anyone.

26. CTS - (pts. avg. 2.4)(#23 – 3.0)(-6)
Lost pitcher, not a contender - will be in Park City again.

27. Fury 14u (pts 2.0)(+1)
Playing solid ball

28. OC Elite 95 - (pts. avg. 1.9)(-6)

29. Riptide 14U (pts. 1.8)(-2)

30. So Cal Madness 14U (pts 1.7)(+2)


Poll points system - each pollster ranks and presents their top teams. Each #1 ranking equals 30 pts and so on. All pollster rankings are averaged to give the final pts average. Note division 14u head coaches rankings and Bracketologist count double. All head coaches can participate in the poll. Teams need to average a 3.0 (i.e., #23 ranking) to be listed in the poll.

Rank Pts
1 30
2 28
3 26
4 24
5 23
6 22
7 21
8 20
9 19
10 18
11 15
12 14
13 13
14 12
15 11
16 10
17 9
18 8
19 7
20 6
21 5
22 4
23 3
24 2
25 1.5
26. 1.4
27. 1.3
28. 1.2
29. 1.1
30. 1.0

The important component is the Teams grade (A, B+ & B) and not their ranking. At this point rankings and grades are projections.

A’s – Have the ability to win three consecutive games against other A rated teams at a major tournament (i.e., State, Nationals, Fresno etc). A’s are playing for the big prize “ASA Nationals”. In 2009 to be ranked an A Team, a team must have the ability to beat the three top A Teams Lakewood/Firecrackers, Victory-C and CA Marty. Not one but all!

B+ Teams – Have the ability to win the big prize at ASA Nationals if a few things break their way (i.e., don’t have to beat two A teams in consecutive games). B+ teams will beat A teams in tournaments, they just lack the ability to beat all of the A teams! Remember in 2007 TNL could beat anyone but they could not beat Victory-Campbell, Corona Angles 94 and Lakewood Ladies in back to back games. To be ranked a B+ team, a team must have the ability to beat all of the other B+ teams.

B Teams – Can only win ASA Nationals if they get hot and they get lucky (i.e., a great draw)! They can beat A teams in friendlies but struggle beating them in tournaments. B teams can and will eliminate B+ Teams but they would be hard press to win a tournament that requires them to beat three B+ Teams in a row!

C+ Teams – The goal is to qualify for ASA Nationals. These are usually top 10-20 teams that will play the B+ teams closely and beat B Teams in significant tournaments. Typically the best first year 12u teams perform at this level.

[verdade]

Just pointing out an error.....OC Wildcats(Lyn) was not at AA T4T 14u. It was their '95 team. They haven't played a 14u Tourney this Fall, they've played 16u. They've played at some Hurricane Friendlies at 14u but there just that, friendlies. I'd definately have them in Top 5.

[weekend4trvl]

you nailed it "bracket". Soon we will only have the 95's to talk about. The 94's will be playing JV and roping off girls that have never pitched in TB.

[Madmun]

I think we all acknowledge who the top 94 teams are and the rankings posted above are pretty good. Cant argue with his logic. Just curious as to all of your opinions on who the top 10 95 teams are after this fall. You have to have Corona Angels (smith) and Firecrackers (Cardova) at the top. But who are the other 8 or so. I have not seen them play but I heard the 95 Victory team was pretty good too.

[artomatic]

Firecrackers Cordova has 3 94's, so not a totally 95 team.
victory 95 is last year's 12u national finalists (oc impact 95)
yes they are very strong in my opinion...

[th33]

I think the list is good. I do think Victory and Firecrackers-Lakewood are far ahead of the rest. The only change I would make is Sudden Impact 3, Corona Angels (Tyson) 4. I would give 3-8 a B+, and the rest on the list a C+.

[bracketologist]

Just pointing out an error.....OC Wildcats(Lyn) was not at AA T4T 14u. It was their '95 team. They haven't played a 14u Tourney this Fall, they've played 16u. They've played at some Hurricane Friendlies at 14u but there just that, friendlies. I'd definately have them in Top 5.

I missed that one.. just can't make all the games..that's why I turned to more pollsters and coaches in the 12u poll and hope to do the same here. I should of known by the score 10 or so to 0, that it wasn't Lyn's team........ I think I need a break from the softball field......

PS. I hope the new pollsters will correct my error and put the OC Wildcats 94 in there rightful place.

PSS. I also left a couple of above average teams out ... hope someone catches that too and puts them into the poll.

[rbi]

Keep an eye on All-American Sports Academy, with the recent pick-up of another solid pitcher and being able to play together all spring they will be a team to reckon with out of Nor-Cal. They are a mix of last years 12U 3rd place ASA National Grapette team and AASA.

[bracketologist]

UPDATED 14U TOP TEAM POLL - NOW 22+ Teams Covered

updated on Dec 18 2008!

[verdade]

I also believe that Lakewood Ladies are ranked too high at the #8 spot. They're definately a mid-teens team. I think the Top 95's (Victory, Angels, Firecrackers) should be somewhere in spots #7-#11. Jets still a good team that should be in low-teens. I think Primetime Elite-Black was forgotten, they've got good bats and defense, just need stronger pitching(maybe spot #19-#25). But now that Fall is over.....LET THE MOVING OF ROSTERS BEGIN.....1,2,3,BANG!!!