UPDATED! 12u Top Team Ranking – Pre ASA Nationals Poll!

[sballcatchr]

Not to mention, against some high caliber teams.

With bracketologist's reaction to Thunder demoralizing some lower level competition, hopefully the Hey Bucket Poll doesn't turn into the BCS, where teams are going to steamroll weaker teams just to move up in the polls.

JMO

My reaction was to Thunder winning the tourney. I don't pay attention to the high scores as this is happening more and more in softball each year. So I disregarded the other scores early and only paid attention to the two games Thunder played against top 25 caliber teams.

Unfortunately running up the score is now very popular in softball …. and I see it, each and every week!

So using that logic, why isn't Nemesis '96 being announced as a team who should be ranked higher than their #16 ranking nor being recognized for their 1st place finish at the ZPizza Christmas Classic....or MG 97 and TNL 97 for their 3rd place finishes behind 2 '95 teams (SC Elite, So Cal Waves) at the USSSA Holiday Magic Tourney???

My point is, just because you win a tourney, the # of high caliber teams in that tournament should be taken into consideration. The teams who attended the So Cal Crunch Friendly, over the same weekend, played much tougher competition.

I agree. Looking at the scores from the USSSA tournament, Minors Gold 97' and TNL 97' only lost to the top two 95' teams by one or two in high scoring games.

[AM Softball]

"I put zero weight in Friendly performances.... who really won the Rebels vs. CA96 @ So Crunch Friendly? Depends on the drop dead rule? I just don't care about how hard the friendlies are... there is no "lose and go home pressure in friendlies." The goal is to prepare the team to qualify for Nationals and each coach may choose a different path. I have watched Cal Thunder play in elimination games and they are a good team.... you can see it whether their playing the #2 team or #17 team. I said the same thing about the OC Wildcats 96 before AA T4T - predicting they would make the semi's.. I was wrong they made the finals."


I can honestly say until Sunday, I really thought friendlies should count but I cannot agree more that they shouldn't. Drop dead rules, reverting back, numerous teams that bat 9 or 10 when you bat 14, home vs. visitors, etc. I agree with Bracket 100% on this. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen top teams with subs during a friendly...they shouldn't count because not all coaches play them the same way....

[anonlooker]

Friendlies shouldn't count because they are PRACTICE!!

[anonlooker]

This looks like potentially a very good tournament. It will be interesting to see if the ranked teams actually pay and enter this tourney. I don't believe it would benefit the Cal Rebels if OC Wildcats 96 or Corona Angels don't enter.

Looking at the teams that have already paid in 14u (most have 1 stud pitcher), if I were a top ten 12u team (i.e., Rebels, Wildcats or Angels) I would play up in 14u unless all three sign up for 12u together. If I remember right Victory-Campbell played up in 14u in this Tournament the year they won ASA Nationals in 12u.... quick exit lost in 2nd round.

WTF??!! Now you want to dictate who plays when where and which age division? Think maybe this whole Bracket Boy thing is going to your head?

Are you going to penalize the 12U teams for not playing up in 14U? And how would it not benefit the Rebels to play without OCW96 and CA? Are you saying they would be better off skipping the tournament and taking the weekend off? Or maybe the only way they can improve is to arrange some three way friendlies with your other two darlings? Friendlies which, ahem, don't count in your poll.

And your suggestion that there would be a correlation between Victory playing here last season, then going on to win Nats, so other 12's should do the same this year, ranks among your most absurd statements.

Here's an idea. Maybe you should look over all the scheduled tournaments, and then post on here who should play in what. That way all the managers and coaches could focus 100% of their energy on moving up in your amusing poll.

i'm just sayin'

btw, when are you going to start the Bottom Ten rankings? I've always found that entertaining during college football season.

and yeah, maybe i just woke up grumpy...

[bracketologist]

This looks like potentially a very good tournament. It will be interesting to see if the ranked teams actually pay and enter this tourney. I don't believe it would benefit the Cal Rebels if OC Wildcats 96 or Corona Angels don't enter.

Looking at the teams that have already paid in 14u (most have 1 stud pitcher), if I were a top ten 12u team (i.e., Rebels, Wildcats or Angels) I would play up in 14u unless all three sign up for 12u together. If I remember right Victory-Campbell played up in 14u in this Tournament the year they won ASA Nationals in 12u.... quick exit lost in 2nd round.

WTF??!! Now you want to dictate who plays when where and which age division? Think maybe this whole Bracket Boy thing is going to your head?

Are you going to penalize the 12U teams for not playing up in 14U? And how would it not benefit the Rebels to play without OCW96 and CA? Are you saying they would be better off skipping the tournament and taking the weekend off? Or maybe the only way they can improve is to arrange some three way friendlies with your other two darlings? Friendlies which, ahem, don't count in your poll.

And your suggestion that there would be a correlation between Victory playing here last season, then going on to win Nats, so other 12's should do the same this year, ranks among your most absurd statements.

Here's an idea. Maybe you should look over all the scheduled tournaments, and then post on here who should play in what. That way all the managers and coaches could focus 100% of their energy on moving up in your amusing poll.

i'm just sayin'

btw, when are you going to start the Bottom Ten rankings? I've always found that entertaining during college football season.

and yeah, maybe i just woke up grumpy...

You are correct grumpy maybe this is going to my head! ............... still look at the 14u pitching at the TCS and there is an opportunity to face some very good pitching early in spring ...... their next opportunity may only be ASA Nationals in IL!

[anonlooker]

You are correct grumpy maybe this is going to my head! ............... still look at the 14u pitching at the TCS and there is an opportunity to face some very good pitching early in spring ...... their next opportunity may only be ASA Nationals in IL!

... now you're just baiting me!

[sballcatchr]

i wonder how many teams that didnt make the "top" 12U teams will beat these "top" teams.
I just dont get how you can make a top without even knowing these other 12u teams? thats just my opinion though.

[SB drama]

"I agree. Looking at the scores from the USSSA tournament, Minors Gold 97' and TNL 97' only lost to the top two 95' teams by one or two in high scoring games."

Why are 95 teams playing 97 teams?? Why aren't they playing 96's teams as that are who they will face at States??

[SOFTBALL TAXI]

the 96 teams got eliminated by the 97 teams

"I agree. Looking at the scores from the USSSA tournament, Minors Gold 97' and TNL 97' only lost to the top two 95' teams by one or two in high scoring games."

Why are 95 teams playing 97 teams?? Why aren't they playing 96's teams as that are who they will face at States??

[sballcatchr]

the 96 teams got eliminated by the 97 teams

"I agree. Looking at the scores from the USSSA tournament, Minors Gold 97' and TNL 97' only lost to the top two 95' teams by one or two in high scoring games."

Why are 95 teams playing 97 teams?? Why aren't they playing 96's teams as that are who they will face at States??

haha that is funny
two great 97's teams wonder how they will do against the "top 12u's" haha