It has been a great year. Here is my last poll and good luck to all the teams/coaches/parents!
Group 1a - So Cal Teams that can win ASA Nationals – Have the Talent to win it all!
1. San Diego Power Surge – http://www.eteamz.com/powersurge-scottb/ (Previous #1)(Movement in poll 0)(1st – Tourney Win) 1st 12u USSSA OctoberFest 10/08
(2nd Win) 1st 12u Surf City Classic 3/30/08
(3rd Win) 1st 12u TCS Big League Dreams 4/09:
(4th Win) 1st 12u Fresno Force Classic 4/09
(5th Win) 1st 12u ASA So-Cal States 5/09
State: Clearly the best team at State – approaching the level of CA95
Best of West: Their first test playing in a very competitive bracket. Beat the OC Wildcats in ITB, beat Sting and looked flat in lost against Firecrackers.
ASA Nationals: Still the favorite, from So Cal – The Frost Comets are clearly the overall favorite. I
Hope this team is not bracket dependent. The pitching is outstanding and Scott should have them ready to play.
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (9-3 WIN PCT .000): FC96 1-1; CA96 4-1; OCBB-M 1-1; CA Rebels 1-0; Jynx 1-0; OCW-96 0-0, BS96 1-0
2. So Cal Jynx – http://www.eteamz.com/socaljynx/ (Previous#2)(0) (1st Win) 1st 12U West Covina Toys-for-Tots 12/08
(2nd Win) 1st AFA 14U Qualifier Walnut 4/11/09:
(3rd) 12u USSSA Swingin for Summer Tourney 5/16-5/17
State: Had a great run going into the game with the OC Wildcats by beating Raiders, and BombSquad 96. Simply were never the same team after the heartbreaking lost to the Wildcats. Played terrible against Rebels… not the way you want to exit a tourney.
Best of West: Tied Wildcats in pool play, played lifeless against Sac & Fire, took it to OC Batbusters 96 and simply did not finish against Firecrackers.
ASA Nationals: Ok I see a pattern up by 5 against OC Wildcats at State (lose) up big against Firecrackers at Best of West (lose). Softball’s version of XXX (Van Diesel) – if they are excited and challenged to compete – they are So Cal’s best 12u team. The problem is that once the excitement dies down they are very beatable. If the parents figure this team out, “they have to play fast, loose and very excited/pumped up” – they can win Nationals. Maybe they should borrow the Grapettes music and parents from last year.
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (5-5 WIN PCT .000): FC96 1-2; PS96 0-1; OCBB-M 1-0; CA Rebels 1-1; CA96K 1-0; OCW96 0-1; BS96 1-0
3. O.C. Batbusters Marquez – http://www.eteamz.com/ocbatbusters/ (Previous #5)(+2)(1st Win) 1st 14u Las Vegas Southwest 10/08;
(2nd Win) 1st 12u PFX Tournament 11/16/08
(3rd Win) 1st First Class 12u Tournament 3/09:
State: Played good at State, but lets face it the draw did not put any of the solid level 2 or 3 teams – that typically give them trouble - between their 1st round Firecracker game and the semi final match up with the OC Wildcats. The victory over the Firecrackers was impressive and played a competitive game against PowerSurge in final.
Best of West: Got the typical PowerSurge pool and had their way. The only tough team they faced – they lost to (Jynx in semi-final).
ASA Nationals: This team is new compared to the State team. If they play “solid defense they have a chance to win it all.” However they still have way too many defensive errors and these errors make them vulnerable to good 2nd & 3rd level teams. Judging by the HOF, there are a number of solid 2nd and 3rd level teams so they need to stay in the winner’s bracket.
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (7-4 WIN PCT .000): FC96 2-0; PS96 1-1; Jynx 0-1; CA Rebels 0-1; CA96K 1-1; OCW-96 2-0; BS96 0-0
4. CA Rebels – http://www.eteamz.com/12underCARebels/i ... te=3888091 (Previous #3)(-1)(1st Win) TCS Best of the West 10/08
(2nd - Win) 1st AA's Toys-for-Tots 12/08
State: Had a good run at State beating Firecrackers and Jynx in elimination games. The offensive is the most consistent in 12u.
ASA Nationals: If they can stay focused, they will go as far as their bats take them. It seems since fall that every tournament they have a bad game – if they end up in the losers’ bracket early – I expect them to make the same run as the Texas Travelers did last year (i.e., a great team that eventually ran out of gas). I expect them to play good against the top teams, but the 2nd & 3rd level So. Cal teams are no longer scared of them. If they can avoid the 2nd & 3rd level So. Cal and Texas teams they will go far.
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (7-3 WIN PCT .000): FC96 1-0; PS96 0-1; OCBB-M 1-0; CA96K 1-0; Jynx 1-1; OCW-96 3-0; BS96 0-1
Group 1b: - So Cal Teams that can win ASA Nationals – “The Super Assassins” (i.e., most likely to upset a major contender and sneak their way into the semi-finals or if lucky the finals).
5. Firecrackers - http://www.eteamz.com/Firecrackers_96/ (Previous #4)(-1)(1st - Win) 1st 12u ASA Disney Hall of fame qualifier 10/08
(2nd - Win) 1st 12u ASA Turkey Tournament Chino
(3rd – Win) 1st 12u Best of West Tournament 6/09
State/HOF: Lets’ face it the Firecrackers were not competitive in HOF, but did lose two
competitive games against the Rebels and OC Batbusters 96 at State.
Best of West: A classic run with wins over Corona Angels K, PowerSurge, OC Batbusters Ray and Jynx in a row.
ASA Nationals: They are playing very good defense right now. I expect them to cause some trouble at Nationals (if they figure a way in). Still 100% "Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hide" but now confident! It would not surprised me if they make the finals or if they are two and done! If the team does not implode this team will be a better 14u then 12u team.
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (3-5 WIN PCT .000): PS96 1-1; Jynx 2-1; CA96 0-0; OCBB-M 0-2; CA Rebels 0-1; OCW-96 0-0; BS96 0-0
5. Corona Angels Knighten – http://www.eteamz.com/CoronaAngels96/ - (#6)(-1)(1st Win) 1st 12u TCS Huntington Beach Classic 1/09
State: Simply the most impressive team at State! Proved they can win back to back to back games against top teams. Very consistent – will beat teams they should beat at Nationals.
Best of West: Did not look good at Best of West – lost to OC Batbusters Ray in pool play and Firecrackers in elimination. They were simply not competitive against the Firecrackers.
ASA Nationals: Depends on which team shows up. Have a track record of beating teams they
Should beat. Maybe the best loser bracket team from So. Cal. The bracket gods will determine their faith – I expect them to pull an upset and beat someone they shouldn’t (i.e., PowerSurge, Frost Comets 96, Jynx, OC BB-M or Texas Bandits etc.).
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (4-9 WIN PCT .000): FC96 0-0; PS96 1-4; OCBB-M 1-1; CA Rebels 0-2; Jynx 0-1; OCW-96 1-1; BS96 1-0
5. O.C. Wildcats 96 – http://www.eteamz.com/OCWildcats12U-1996/(#8)(-3)(1st Win) 1st 12u USSSA Fall Fest 11/08 –
(2nd Win) 1st 12u TCS So Cal State Championships 11/08
State: Up and Down. Beat Corona Xpress and then Jynx, and lost to OC Batbusters 96 and Corona Angels K.
Best of West: Up and Down. Lost to OC Crush, tied Jynx and lost to PowerSurge in ITB.
ASA Nationals: Still a hot streak team that can beat anyone and then turn around and lose to anyone. Another team that relies on big hits and big innings. I expect them to win some 8-0, 10-2 games at Nationals and lose a couple 0-1 or 1-2 games. Like Forrest Gump's mom would say “they are a lot like a box of chocolate – you never know what you'll get.”
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (2-6 WIN PCT .000): FC96 0-0; PS96 0-0; OCBB-M 0-2; CA Rebels 0-3; CA96K 1-1; Jynx 1-0; BS96 0-0
Group 2a: - (HIGH LEVEL SPOILERS –just missing something) So Cal Teams that most likely will have an impact on who wins ASA Nationals.
8. Bomb Squad 96 - http://www.eteamz.com/bombsquad96/ Previous #7 (-1)(1st Win) - TCS Casino Ball, NV 4/5/09
ASA Nationals: A very dangerous team, but their offensive will make them vulnerable against good defensive teams at Nationals. Not deep enough to win Nationals. If the OC Crush does not continue after TCS - taking the top 3 players/families off of that team would make them a contender.
Tournament record vs. Top Teams: (1-3 WIN PCT .000): FC96 0-0; PS96 0-1; OCBB-M 0-0; CA Rebels 1-0; CA96K 0-1; Jynx 0-1; OCW96 0-0
9. Irvine Sting – http://www.eteamz.com/12uirvinesting96/index.cfm? (Previous #11)(+2) (1) 1st TCS/Franchise Mother's Day Classic on 5/10/09
ASA Nationals: Great job at State, they have turned the corner and now everyone needs to look out. Can play the same style as the Angels so they are a contender to do well at Nationals. The problem with this team is that the parents and kids truly do not believe they are as good as they are.
10. Cal Thunder – http://www.eteamz.com/calthunder12u/index.cfm? Previous #9(-1)
(1st Win) 1st 12u TCS On the Border 10/08
(2nd Win) 1st 12u Dynasty Toys for Tots AFA 12/08
(3rd Win) 1st 12u Luck O' Irish - San Pedro 3/09
State: Had a hard draw at State. I said the Sting game was critical and it was. Nationals – Not going! Would have qualified and been very dangerous at Nationals if the pitcher was health.
11. Corona Angels Lockman (mostly 97) –http://www.eteamz.com/CoronaAngelsLockman/index.cfm? (Previous #14)(+3)(1st Win) 12u Triple Crown/Quicksilver Classic - Double Elimination 5/25
ASA Nationals: Playing very good ball. Need a good draw. #1 pitcher should make them very competitive against the Texas & Georgia teams that showed up in OKC.
Group 2b: - (SPOILERS) – Very Good B Teams that deserve to be at Nationals
12. Corona Xpress – http://www.eteamz.com/coronaxpress96/ (#12)(0)
Gave a gift to the Wildcats at State. If they would have won that game, this team would be going to Nationals. Good enough to qualify if they wanted to.
13. OC Batbusters – Ray (#21)(+8) – Made a big jump in June. Now one of the better teams out there just might be the top 1997 team now.
14. Team Smith 96 – http://www.eteamz.com/teamsmith96/ (Previous #10)(-4)Had a very hard draw at State but were able to qualify for Nationals last week. ASA Nationals: Not a contender, but a spoiler.
15. Revenge 96 – http://www.eteamz.com/REVENGE12U/index.cfm? – (#17)(+2)State: Had a great run at State beating the Rebels. The talent has always been there, they just finally put it together. ASA Nationals: Not a contender, but a spoiler.
16. OC Batbusters – Snow 97 – http://www.eteamz.com/12UOCBatbustersSnow/index.cfm? (#15)(-1) – A very sound team that will fly under the radar at Nationals17. OC Crush (#25) (+8) – This team has gotten better - but not yet consistently good. Should contend for TCS title along with Revenge & Corona Xpress & Outlaws. Would have qualified for Nationals if they tried.
(1st) 12u TCS World Series Champions - Park City Utah 7/11/2009.
XX. AA Palomino 97 (#13)(-14) http://www.eteamz.com/AmericanAthletics12UPalomino/ – This was a great team, that had good coaching and played with a lot of heart. They can play a style that could give the top out of state contenders’ trouble at Nationals. Still a good team, but the loses will impact them the further they go in any tourney. 18. Raiders (#16)(-2) – Another inconsistent 96 team that will be a spoiler at Nationals – if they qualify. 19. Nemesis 96 – (#22)(+3) – This team has consistently improved throughout the year. My Coaches of the Year winners! Will be a spoiler at Nationals but will need some help from the bracket gods and capitalize on a couple of errors to make it into the third round. Group 3
20. Valley Tribe 96 & 97 – http://www.eteamz.com/valleytribe12u/ - Previous #18 – (-2)(1st Win) 2008 USSSA Derald Adair Tournament 08.
21. Outlaws Garden Grove http://www.eteamz.com/Outlaws12U/index. ... te=4955535 (#23)(+2) – Picked up a great pitcher – in time should be at the same level as the AA Palomino were #12/13. Will be a contender next year for ASA Nationals!
22. SD Legacy (#30)(+8) – A team that has been working hard, and is getting better at the right time. 23. Lights Out
(1st win) 12u TCS Stars and Strikes 6/09 &
Played the B circuit all year. A very good team that needs to play better competition next year
24. OC Wildcats 97 (#34)(+10) – A solid team that had a good run at State to qualify for ASA Nationals! They did the wrong thing and attended TCS! In 2010 it is going to be harder to qualify! 25. USA Athletics (#28)(+3) – Have some talented players, coaches did a good job with this team.
26. Valley Breeze – In the right place at the right time. Now have to prove they belong at ASA Nationals.28. San Diego Elite (#32)(+4) – A good team that the TNL parents should be running to. They just ran out of gas at State.
29. Double Play 97 (#27)(-2) – Will be a serious contender next year.
29. OC Frenzy (#NR)(+10) – A good team that plays competitive, is a little over matched against the strong 96 teams.
30. No Fear 96 http://www.eteamz.com/nofear96/ - (#24)(-6) – Just could never put it together against a higher level of competition. Like Lights Out stayed on the B circuit to long.
Others received consideration:
TNL, SD Mystic, Glendora Crush, Revenge 97, Lights Out (1st win) 12u TCS Stars and Strikes 6/09, Minor’s Gold 97/96, Corona Eliminators (1st Win) 12u USSSA Spring Fling 4/19/09), Cerritos Franchise,
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 12u head coaches rankings and bracketologist count double. All head coaches can participate in the poll. Teams need to average a 1.0 (i.e., #30 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 for Spring. However, in 12u the teams identified as A in fall – were still A’s in spring and in both 2007 & 2008 the championship game at nationals came down to two teams identified as A Teams in Fall!
A’s – Have the ability to win three consecutive games against other A or B+ rated teams at a major tournament (i.e., State, Nationals, Fresno etc). A’s are playing for the big prize “ASA Nationals”. In 2007-2008 12u only three teams were identified as A – Corona Angels Smith 95, O.C. Impact 95 and Anderson Heat 95. These three teams proved they could beat each other to win a big tournament. To be ranked an A Team, a team must have the ability to beat all of the other A Teams - as demonstrated by wins in tournament bracket play and not friendlies. 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! In 2007-2008 think California Grapettes, and Nemesis Elite 95. In 2006-2007 think TNL. Example: In 2006-07 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! In 2007-2008 think TNL, Bomb Squad 95, AA-H and Mizuno Pride 95 etc. All very good teams.
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. In 2008 think Corona Angels 96 beating Bomb Squad 95 twice for the berth to ASA Nationals. In 2008 Firecrackers 96, Power Surge 96, CA 96 were C+ Teams, along with Corona Eliminators, Stringers, Franchise 95 etc.
