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12U TOP TEAM RANKING (Bracketologist) Updated After STATE!

by bracketologist » Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:22 pm

12U TOP TEAM RANKING (Bracketologist) Updated July 2nd

Bracketologist's 12u Top Team Ranking – This is the UPDATED PRE NATIONALS POLL!

12u Final Poll Updated After STATE!

In the end there can only be one champion, but every team that has played up to their talent level is a champion to me.

For the coaches who did it for the girls: Those of you

 that made sure each player had a chance to get better – even if it cost you a game or two
 that didn’t recruit parents/players out from under someone else’s feet
 who let the kids go for the right reasons
 who finished the year with their team
 who gave the girls an opportunity to prove it on the field – whether they could win or would most likely lose!
 who recognized and rewarded the “girls” success and not their own!
 who didn’t put winning above all else

I applaud you! Whether you are going to IL, WA or UT or somewhere out there or around here – I applaud you. I have been putting the 12u poll together since the 93’s 1st year of 12u and this was a year with so much promise and talent………… Unfortunately in 2010 there were so many people focused only on being associated with a winning team or winning a meaningless friendly instead of focusing on the development of their daughters and the teaching of life lessons in a safe and structured environment.

To the girls: Have a great time and enjoy your teammates – this should be the best time of your softball career! This is your reward for all of your hard work and sacrifices!

Finish what you started and be safe!

Group 1 = THE Contenders - to win it all! Like usual I pick 4!

#1. O.C Batbusters Ray – Group 1
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #2
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
1st 12u ASA Turkey Day Tournament 11/29/09
1st 12u So Cal States 6/2010
Comments: The only thing that will hurt this team is that they were not at Nationals last year. The clear favorites as the offensive, defensive and coaching are excellent.

#2. Corona Angels - Lockman – Group 1
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #4
Website:http://www.eteamz.com/CoronaAngelsLockman/
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
Comments: State was a good run for this team, finally played at a high level for more then two games. At some point in Nationals every teams bats will go cold – yes even Ray’s – if you are ready you have a chance. This team has a chance but most likely will have a number of very close games.

#3. Team Anderson 97 (Sota) – Group 1
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #1
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
1st 12U TCS Huntington Beach Classic 1/30/2010
1st 12U LAS VEGAS " ST. PADDY'S DAY BLAST" 3/14/2010
1st 12u March SurfCity Classic 3/2010

Comments: This team has not slipped it’s just that others have hit their stride. Don’t believe the press they still have a chance to win it all. Stay focused and get to Sunday – it should not matter which bracket this teams in. If you take your bat out of the bag on Sunday at Nationals you have a chance to be champions!

#4. Victory USA 98 – Group 1
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #14
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/victoryusa-campbell/
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
Comments: If they can make it to Sunday look out. Best shot will be if someone else knocks OC BB-Ray to the losers bracket. Don’t except this team to fall down for you. There will be a lot of fight in this dog if they make it to Sunday.

Group 2 = The Bracket Dependent Contenders (i.e., Can win it all but will struggle to beat two teams in Group 1 in back to back games)!


#5. PowerSurge 97 – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #17
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/PowerSurge97/
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
Comments: Will need some luck from the bracket gods but they have picked the right time to play outstanding ball. I remember when this team barely had enough players to play! See hard work with a little fortune does pay off. Be prepared half the teams and parent will not recognize that this is not PS96 so some games will have a “nice atmosphere”!

#6. San Diego Aztecs – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #12
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/sandiegoaztecsforrest/
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
1st 12U TCS Turkey Bash 11/9/09
Comments: I simple terms this team peaked to early, but had enough time to come back down to earth and get back up at the right time. Should be very competitive at Nationals – will have to watch out for those teams from SEC country.

#6. California Cruisers 97 – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #6
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
1st 12u So Cal Finest Beat the Heat - 4/26/10
Comments: This is where not taking the bid last year may come to bite them in the backside. If this team plays nervous and without purpose for one game at Nationals – they will be in the Losers bracket. Team showed a lot of heart at State – but an early defeat at Nationals is much harder to overcome. Like Victory the hard part will be in getting to Sunday.

#8. Valley Tribe 97 – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #6
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/ValleyTribesoftball/
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
#1 - 1st 12u ASA Disney Hall of fame qualifier 10/09
#2 - 1st 12u AA Toys for Tots 12/6/2009

Comments: Ok the softball gods punished this team at Nationals last year. Balls fell out of gloves and everything went wrong…. But they were competitive. There is no pressure on this team… go out and have fun. Hopefully the gods will find another team to mess with this year and Sunday could be fun! Currently not playing at the level of the three following teams… but experience should see this team through the first two rounds.


#9. Firecrackers 97 – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #7
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/Firecrackers97
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
Comments: This is a consistent team now. Sometimes their best is good enough sometimes it’s not. They will find that only 3-5 teams at Nationals play their style and some of the bigger teams will not know what hit them. Don’t let pool play results change your plan… work the plan and the plan should return a good result. There are going to be some close games for this team.


#10. American Pastime 97 – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #5
Website: http://www.eteamz.active.com/AMERICANPASTIME-12U
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
1st TCS Presidents Day Showdown 2/13/2010
Comments: The team showed some heart in the losers bracket at State – but that road was relatively easy. Will have to take their A game and reduce the errors to contend. Like the Firecrackers 96 last year this is a hot and cold team. Maybe the most likely Group B team to be in the final four.


#11. Artesia Punishers 97 – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #15
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/artesiapunishers97/
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
1st 12u USSSA Softball Lover's Classic 2/2010
1st 12u TCS Big League Dreams Classic 4/11/2010
1st 12u USSSA Spring Fever tournament Las Vegas, NV 4/25/2010

Comments: I like this team but it seems the more the other teams see this team the less effective they become. Like Pastime – their B game will have them leaving the hotel for home on Saturday by 11 am!

Group 3 = The SPOILERS! (i.e., The teams most likely to end the title dreams of the Group 1 & 2 teams). They don’t have enough to win it all – but they will send a lot of teams home!


#12. Sudden Impact 97 – Group 2
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #28
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/suddenimpact97
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
Comments: Talk about a late arriving guest to the party! This started with hype, settled down and then played solid ball when it counted. Team still has some upside and is a solid member of Group 2.

#13. TeamSmith 97 – Group 3
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #10
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/TeamSmith97
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
Comments: The best team that has not qualified for Nationals. To end up in the losers bracket after the 1st game, and to win three games and then die one game away from the berth is hard. Glad to see that the girls have a chance to qualify at Regionals.


#14. Firecrackers 98 – Group 3
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #9
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Comments: Talk about a hard road for a 98 team at State. 1st game = losers bracket. Team did an outstanding job beating a solid So Cal Breakers team before losing to VT. Would like to see this team at Nationals, not qualifying may hurt off season recruitment efforts vs. the other 98 power.


#15. Bomb Squad 97 – Group 3
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #11
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/bombsquad97
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
1st 12u Southwest Showdown LV 10/4/20009
Comments: Did the right thing to get the berth prior to State… ask the others heading to WA. Not a lot of hype about this team – but they are a solid team that will try to hang around to Sat night at Nationals. A top 20 finish would be very respectable.


#16. OC Frenzy 97 – Group 3
Avg Points Last Poll:
Previous: #20
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen:
Tourney Wins:
Comments: A team that deserves to go to Nationals. Talk about up and down year, from as high as 5th to back to 28th. Injuries just killed this team this year. Type of team that has nothing to lose and is really playing with the house’s money…. Enjoy.

#17. American Athletics – Group 3
Avg Points:
Previous: #13
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
1st 12U USSSA Fall Festival 11/2009
Bracky’s Comments: Team had a difficult draw at State. Probably the only team (outside of FC98) that didn’t qualify that I truly believe deserved to go to Nationals. Solid team should be a contender whether they go to TCS or Westerns.


Group 4 = The Dreamers! (i.e., Goal is to qualify and success is measured by playing on Sunday at ASA Nationals - these teams have the talent and play solid enough ball to succeed at Nationals – but just can’t get the right break at the right time to contend on a consistent basis).

#18. So Cal Breakers Imoto– Group 4
Avg Points:
Previous: #16
Website: http://www.socalbreakers.com
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
1st 12U USSSA Oktoberfest Tournament - 10/2009
1st 12U TCS Monster Mash Tournament - 10/2009

Bracky’s Comments: The perfect group 4 team, have the talent but always seems to miss out on the lucky breaks. A very hot and cold type of team…. Remember what I said in Fall, played like an All Star team at districts or states in fall – not like a travel team that truly understood that prime time is June, July and August. For a 1st year team – they had an outstanding fall. Team has enough talent to contend at Westerns and if they stay together should be a factor in 14u next year.


#19. So Cal Breakers - Sieber – Group 4
Avg Points:
Previous: #29
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: :mrgreen: Yes
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: State was the perfect storm for this team… they had to pull one upset to qualify for Nationals and they did. The Cruisers were the ideal top team for this team to face.. just a good match. Team benefited from the Fall success of the other Breaker team, to add talent in Spring. This team is playing at a more consistent level then the other Breaker team. Should have a solid Nationals…. Will have to bring their A game to make it past Saturday afternoon!


#20. Minors Gold 97 Alvarez – Group 4
Avg Points:
Previous: #24
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
1st 12u TCS 9/09
Bracky’s Comments: Had a special team at the beginning of the year! Team fall a part and was rebuilt by State. The original fall team would have easily qualified for Nationals. Coaching staff did a good job rebuilding to form a solid team that should be competitive at TCS or Western Nationals.

Group 5 – Very Solid Teams – Should be contenders at Western Nationals or TCS Park City

#21. Cal Thunder 97 – Group 5
Avg Points:
Previous: #22
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/calthunder97
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Pollsters/Coaches Comments: Not the same team as in Fall. Like Minor’s Gold the musical chairs game with critical players hurt this team. Coaching staff did a good job and the team played at a high level. Another contender at TCS or Westerns, but they will need their A game.

#22. Double Play – Group 5
Avg Points:
Previous: #18
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: State went about as I expected – but the lost to TNL was a surprise. This team is just a day late or dollar short every time I see them. Very solid team that should be a contender in TCS or Westerns.


#23. So Cal Wicked – Group 5
Avg Points:
Previous: #19
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/socalwicked12u.
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Comments: Another team that came out of no where to join the poll! Had a great run at the end of the year but maybe peaked a month to early. Should be a contender at TCS or Westerns.


#24. Huntington Beach Breeze – Group 5
Avg Points:
Previous: Not Ranked in top 40
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: This team was not ranked much of the year, but started to play really solid ball in June. Had a great run at State, and should have a great run at TCS or Westerns.


#25. TNL Gold – Group 5
Avg Points:
Previous: Not Ranked in top 40
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: Like a typical TNL Team this team was not ranked much of the year, but started to play really solid ball in June. Had a solid run at State, really beating three good teams in the losers bracket. Should be a contender at TCS or Westerns – if they bring their A game.

#26. Bombers – Group 5B
Avg Points:
Previous: Not Ranked in top 40
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: Came out of no where to play solid ball at State.


#27. USA Athletics 98 – Group 5B
Avg Points:
Previous: #39
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: Not a true 98 team, but a team that when hot is a solid team.


#28. Nemesis 97 – Group 5B
Avg Points:
Previous: #21
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: Sometimes really good/sometimes really bad… did not play at a high level at State! Will need to add some critical talent to become a contender at TCS or Westerns.


#29. Corona Xpress 97– Group 5B
Avg Points:
Previous: #23
Website: http://www.eteamz.com/coronaxpress97/
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Bracky’s Comments: Just could not cross the bridge and get to the Group 4 level. Jury is still out on playing such a hard schedule with basically a 1st year team. Very well coached team that operated the right way and put winning in the proper prospective. Should be competitive at TCS or Westerns.


#30. Minors Gold 98 – Rosete - Group 5B
Avg Points:
Previous: #38
Website:
ASA Nationals Qualified: No
Tourney Wins:
Comments: Looking at this year – this might be the third best 98 team! Hope parents realize that jumping to a bigger name organization will add no value, when you are this close to being a top team next year.


Top 30 - I'm done for 2010 - Good luck and see the 98's back in 12u next year!

=======================================================================


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 2007, 2008 & 2009 the championship game at nationals came down to the top 2 teams in the poll.

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 2008-2009 12u PowerSurge 96, Jynx 96 and Firecrackers 96, were identified as A (even though Jynx never did beat PS96). To be ranked as a solid 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 2008-2009 think California Rebels, OC Batbusters M, Corona Angles 96 and OC Wildcat 96. 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 2008-2009 think Bomb Squad 96 and Revenge 96, both 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.
Last edited by bracketologist on Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:45 pm, edited 71 times in total.
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by hs dad » Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:44 pm

Thanks for the fix Bracky
it was starting to get a little boring around here
The other teams could make trouble for us if they win...
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by J Fierce » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:22 pm

Great job. Seen most of these teams and agree for the most part. Firecrackers 97 might be underated. Beat Team Anderson head to head and play amazing defense. They also have a lefty that hits the piss off the ball and has exceptional range at shortstop. They also beat Valley Tribe pretty handily this past weekend. Saw Team Smith and they can flat out hit. Renegades 97 will be top 5 very soon. Jynx seems to improve every week. Great first poll!
Stay thirsty, my friends
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by CheckWriter » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:36 pm

I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words.
--- Hesiod, Eighth Century B.C.
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by fatguyonthebucket » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:52 pm

have seen most of these teams ps97 will move up soon
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by PhotoJo » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:56 pm

Are you including a team that may not be of an organization or a well known team but has won a TCS tournament?

So Cal Extreme Heat - "B" Champions in the TCS Fall Classic - Sept. '09
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by artomatic » Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:22 pm

ooh, an "Anderson Heat 95" reference from the archives!
Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.
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by artomatic » Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:29 pm

psshhh, more like:

Image

sorry Tumblebug, you didn't recognize a gold mine even when it was right in front of you...
Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.
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by bracketologist » Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:36 am

Spazsdad wrote:
artomatic wrote:ooh, an "Anderson Heat 95" reference from the archives!

Those where the days


Spazsdad & Artomatic,

That was a long time ago........ I recieved a number of requests to change references to "A teams" that the "new generation can relate to." Sad but true we may have to replace both teams.........
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by artomatic » Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:43 am

bracketologist wrote:
Spazsdad wrote:
artomatic wrote:ooh, an "Anderson Heat 95" reference from the archives!

Those where the days


Spazsdad & Artomatic,

That was a long time ago........ I recieved a number of requests to change references to "A teams" that the "new generation can relate to." Sad but true we may have to replace both teams.........


dammit!
how can they forsake their forefathers and those that paved the way?
blashphemy i tell you!
Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.
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