14U Top Teams - Bracketologist - Teams To Watch!

[bracketologist]

I'm not as excited by 14u this year because it appears we may not be able to crown a true National champion – as some of my top contenders will go ASA Nationals and the others to Premier!

Not many top tier 96 team’s stayed down so the top 3 is easy – of the 96’s OC Batbusters Stith, Firecrackers Rodriguez and Corona Angels – Knighten are the key contenders and are the 96’s most likely to win Nationals (either one).

As I said last year and the year before – with High School ball it is easier for a top first year 14u team to do well and contend at Nationals then a second year team. If you look past the top finishing second year 14u team at Nationals the last two year – most of the So Cal teams in the top 10 are 1st year 14u teams.

Corona Angels 96 – Knighten - A
Firecrackers 96 – Rodriguez - A
OC Batbusters 96 – Stith - A

OC Batbusters - McNee – Top Contender
Firecrackers 97 (Javier) – Top Contender
Firecrackers97-Sota – Top Contender


The following teams are on my watch list – who else belongs?

Not in any order!

San Diego Aztecs
Corona Angels(Lockman)
California Cruisers (Cone)
Bomb Squad 96
So Cal Pumas 96
Minors Gold 96
OC Batbusters -(Ybarra)
Corona Angels (Allen)
San Diego Power Surge 97
So Cal Choppers
American Pastime 97
Cal Storm
Voodoo/Black
Lights Out

Let the hype begin!

[WCV12]

Brackey- Thanks for the shout to voodoo black- But a must add to your list is Punishers Cameron

[NoTimeForChores]

Irving Sting is the top 96 team in So Cal if you judge by the results of championship play. I was watching some games over the last few weeks. So Cal Invasion needs to be up there as does Wicked. Watched the Punishers play two games and was not impressed. I have not watched any Corona Angels (Lockman) games yet (this season) but if he managed to hold it together (5 or 6 true number 1's), I would bet they will come out on top. Batbusters 96 not what they used to be. Bomb Squad picked up a couple of quick players so may be very competitive. Not sure what is up with Minors Gold. I know they had a coaching meltdown last year. Voodoo lost most of their talent last year so will be interesting to see the rebuild. I will reserve judgment on those two until I see them play.

My Picks:

Corona Angels (Knighten) - Not sure if staying a 14U or moving to 16U, always fields a competitive team. Great Coaching, great pitching, good hitting.
Irving Sting 96 - Top SoCal 96 Team last year. Good Coaching. Inconsistent bats.
Bomb Squad 96 - New pick ups with speed and bats. Should be a scrappy team. Good Coaching.
Firecrackers97-Sota - National 12U finalist last year. Great Coaching. Best 97 pitcher in So Cal. This team will be very competitive.
Firecrackers 96 – Rodriguez - Good team, fair coaching. Good recent batting pick up.
OC Batbusters - McNee - Speed issues. Some pick ups may be an issue. Steam still has some top players. Should be competitive team. Good Coaching.
San Diego Power Surge 97 - Playing well and will be a force. Fair coaching. Needs a few solid batting pick ups. Should be a competitive team.
So Cal Invasion - Recently picked up one of the top, batter/base runners in So Cal. Playing with only 10 players, Great coaching. A few sold pick ups makes this a top contending team.
OC Batbusters 96 – Stith - fair coaching, scrappy team, good pitching. Tends to play to level of opponents.
Wicked 96 - Not sure if playing 14U or 16U. Recently picked up one of the best 96 long ball hitters in So Cal.
Cal Rebels 96 - Not sure if playing 14U or 16U. If they stay a 14U they will be a top team. Fair Coaching and no speed factors. Inconsistent Bat issues.
Cal Storm - Could use a few solid pick ups. Good Coaching, speed and pitching issues. Could be a top 20 team in the end.

[bracketologist]

Irving Sting is the top 96 team in So Cal if you judge by the results of championship play. I was watching some games over the last few weeks.
My Picks:

Irving Sting 96[/b] - Top SoCal 96 Team last year. Good Coaching. Inconsistent bats.

Wicked 96 - Not sure if playing 14U or 16U. Recently picked up one of the best 96 long ball hitters in So Cal.
Cal Rebels 96 - Not sure if playing 14U or 16U. If they stay a 14U they will be a top team. Fair Coaching and no speed factors. Inconsistent Bat issues.
.

Cal Rebels 96 are in 16u
Irving Sting 96 - I have always liked this team but no way near the top 96 last year
So Cal Wicked 14u from last year is in 16u.


Corona Angels 96 – Knighten missing...

[NoTimeForChores]

Thanks Bracky. I will update my notes.

Irvine Sting was the top 96 SoCal team last year if you go by Championship play at States and Nationals. I don't think any 96 team came in ahead of their placement at States and only a handful at Nationals. Sure the bracket gods were good to them but you got to give them their due.

[J Fierce]

Thanks Bracky. I will update my notes.

Irvine Sting was the top 96 SoCal team last year if you go by Championship play at States and Nationals. I don't think any 96 team came in ahead of their placement at States and only a handful at Nationals. Sure the bracket gods were good to them but you got to give them their due.

Dude, you need to do your homework and get your facts straight.

[ordaz]

was at a tourney last weekend and seen a team called cal lite? dont know where they are from, but was very impressed. i think they will be trouble for some of the top teams..

[Havetake]

So Cal Invasion - Recently picked up one of the top, batter/base runners in So Cal. Playing with only 10 players, Great coaching. A few sold pick ups makes this a top contending team.

So Cal Invasion or California Invasion. Where are they out of Fullerton?

[NoTimeForChores]

Thanks Bracky. I will update my notes.

Irvine Sting was the top 96 SoCal team last year if you go by Championship play at States and Nationals. I don't think any 96 team came in ahead of their placement at States and only a handful at Nationals. Sure the bracket gods were good to them but you got to give them their due.

Dude, you need to do your homework and get your facts straight.

Directly off of SoCal ASA website: Final order at 14U ASA States.

Place Team
1 SoCal Madness 95
2 Firecrackers
3 Lakewood Firecrackers
4 Corona Angels 95
5 Mizuno Pride 95
5 Nemesis
7 OC Batbusters‐McNee
7 SoCal Athletics
9 Irvine Sting 96
9 Mizuno Pride‐Dawsey
9 CA Cruisers 96
9 Bomb Squad

As you can clearly see every team above Irvine Sting (that lists age) is a 95 and not a 96 team. If you want me to post the Nationals Final order of finish for you, you will see only a few (96) teams finishing above them, and most of those from other States. Maybe you should do your homework before posting.

Actually teams posted as top contenders for this year did not even qualify for Nationals at States last season and had to scramble to other tournaments/States to earn a berth. I am not saying they are the best team out there (right now), only they deserve SoCal bragging rights.

[GSB]

I agree, Sting should have at least made the bracketologist's list if still playing 14U. Cal Invasion is out of North Orange County.