Ranking 14s & 16s

[bracketologist]

Will these teams make the top 10 at nationals I think so, on any given Sunday anybody is beatable but if history repeats itself you might see a 95 win nationals because highschool will screw up the 94 players

I think you are right. Younger 14's always have the advantage, come money time. The younger teams play together for 3 more months than the older teams do because of HS. And, you look at the younger teams this year. Very good. Corona95, FC95, Victory95, all great teams. I truly believe a 95 team may win this year. But, I'm sure Firecrackers, Victory, Corona, SI, and Hurricanes will have something to say about that. But, at least its fun.........

WOW! And 14u is supposed to be BORING THIS YEAR!

We have so many strong opinions on this topic in this post… that I think all of you with such strong opinions should become pollsters on the 14u bracketologist poll!

You would help balance out the 4 head coaches already participating…… thats what makes it fun … me, coaches and crazy parents (and grand parents)…

[softballmafia]

It is hard to be boring when most of the big mouths come from the first year 14th's....95's.....

[Nzane]

After seeing this first hand, I dont think there is a big difference between 1st and 2nd year 14's. It's not like the jump for 10's to 12's. Everything is the same, ball, pitching distance, rules, etc...But, the advantage, come State/Nationals definately goes to 1st year 14's. They get to stay together those 3 months of HS ball, while older 14's get to practice once a week....

[Gone in 2.6]

I've seen CA Tyson and Lakewood Firecrakers both lose games to the Hurricanes and Jets at a friendly does that make them better! I just think the playing field is starting to even out a bit and I know it's just a friendly but nobody plays to lose they play to win. Will these teams make the top 10 at nationals I think so, on any given Sunday anybody is beatable but if history repeats itself you might see a 95 win nationals because highschool will screw up the 94 players

I don't think that's the cause. Historically (speaking So Cal only), the older 14's used to come back from high school season much harder to beat. You'd see some laying smack downs on the younger teams that maybe beat them in the fall. In my experience, this was consistently true probably through the 2006 season. What has changed since then is accelerated recruiting has prompted a much larger percentage of the top players to skip up to older divisions to be seen. The result is 14U, once arguably the most talent rich division in ASA, is now becoming a bit like 16's. A mixed bag minus some of the strongest players from the age group. It's nowhere near the division it once was.

[RaeRae56]

DodgerBlue...If friendlies are all trying to be won as you say... then why dont the teams play 9 vs 9? They don't because winning isn't everything in those games. 9 vs 9 is when the rubber meets the road for winning, not friendlies.

[Ace]

I've seen CA Tyson and Lakewood Firecrakers both lose games to the Hurricanes and Jets at a friendly does that make them better! I just think the playing field is starting to even out a bit and I know it's just a friendly but nobody plays to lose they play to win. Will these teams make the top 10 at nationals I think so, on any given Sunday anybody is beatable but if history repeats itself you might see a 95 win nationals because highschool will screw up the 94 players

I don't think that's the cause. Historically (speaking So Cal only), the older 14's used to come back from high school season much harder to beat. You'd see some laying smack downs on the younger teams that maybe beat them in the fall. In my experience, this was consistently true probably through the 2006 season. What has changed since then is accelerated recruiting has prompted a much larger percentage of the top players to skip up to older divisions to be seen. The result is 14U, once arguably the most talent rich division in ASA, is now becoming a bit like 16's. A mixed bag minus some of the strongest players from the age group. It's nowhere near the division it once was.

I agree not having the team playing together for 3 plus months hurts, but I think if all the top second year 14 players stayed down it would be no contest. I know several second year 14s that are studs, playing 18gold.
P.S. I could sure use another pitcher...

[Nzane]

I've seen CA Tyson and Lakewood Firecrakers both lose games to the Hurricanes and Jets at a friendly does that make them better! I just think the playing field is starting to even out a bit and I know it's just a friendly but nobody plays to lose they play to win. Will these teams make the top 10 at nationals I think so, on any given Sunday anybody is beatable but if history repeats itself you might see a 95 win nationals because highschool will screw up the 94 players

I don't think that's the cause. Historically (speaking So Cal only), the older 14's used to come back from high school season much harder to beat. You'd see some laying smack downs on the younger teams that maybe beat them in the fall. In my experience, this was consistently true probably through the 2006 season. What has changed since then is accelerated recruiting has prompted a much larger percentage of the top players to skip up to older divisions to be seen. The result is 14U, once arguably the most talent rich division in ASA, is now becoming a bit like 16's. A mixed bag minus some of the strongest players from the age group. It's nowhere near the division it once was.

I agree not having the team playing together for 3 plus months hurts, but I think if all the top second year 14 players stayed down it would be no contest. I know several second year 14s that are studs, playing 18gold.
P.S. I could sure use another pitcher...

Yea, but not THAT many are gone. 3 months of not playing together hurts. Look at last year. At least what I heard, at this time last season, EVERYONE was talking about Lakewood93. And, they were stacked. But, they didn't win. I TRULY believe older 14's dont have the time to get the continuity a team needs to win a National Championship.......

[Gone in 2.6]

"Yea, but not THAT many are gone"

Not to be picky but I would have to disagree. Far more are playing up than was the case 3 years ago. Big time impact players.

"3 months of not playing together hurts Look at last year. At least what I heard, at this time last season, EVERYONE was talking about Lakewood93. And, they were stacked. But, they didn't win. I TRULY believe older 14's dont have the time to get the continuity a team needs to win a National Championship......."

Thayne,

The continuity is the same as it's always been. Yet until two years ago, the older teams dominated when they got back from high school and no young teams were winning nationals. Usually only one in the top 10 (usually the defending 12u champ). In 2004 and 2005 you have to go clear down to 33rd to find a 2nd young team. At least one from So Cal.

[anonlooker]

[quote="bracketologist"

WOW! And 14u is supposed to be BORING THIS YEAR!

[/quote]

Every now and then you write something that really questions your credibility.

Did you really think the rivalries that were brewing last year (and even before that) just disappeared because the players got a year older?

14U in SoCal this year will hardly be boring... just because you spent the fall focused on 96-97's, the 94-95 softball universe continued on just fine without you, and is as heated as ever.

Hallelujah!

[DDG]

You can’t read too much into how teams do against each other in friendlies, unless you actually see the game and can see how each team treated the game (did it mater to them). Some teams use the games as a practice, moving players around, changing their line up trying to find new things that work. Some use it as a smoke screen to “fool” the less savvy coaches, especially if they know they are most likely going to see the same team soon in a tournament (games that actually mean something).

The latter happened to DD’s team this spring. They played a friendly against a “top ranked team”. Our coach went all out, only playing his “best 9” the whole game, getting overly worked up over every perceived questionable call by Blue, acted like it was the finals at nationals, etc. The other team rotated players, stayed relaxed, and generally had a good time. DD’s team won by a run or two. Two weeks later at a tournament, we got the sh** kicked out of us by the same team (10 + run differential). Our coach was surprised.