14U Top Team Ranking (Bracketologist) – PRE NATIONALS (ASA & Premier) UPDATED JULY RANKINGS
It has been another great softball year. This would have been one of the best ASA Nationals in 14U if not for the big divide. Oh well below is my last breakdown for Nationals/Premier. Good luck to all of the teams and everyone have a safe trip.
Group A - The Favorite Top Contenders – Going to ASA Nationals or Premier to win it all. Have the ability to survive a hard bracket and still win it all.
Ok to stir the pot – I don’t believe any of the below teams can beat three other Group A teams in back to back to back games (yes this includes Stith) – therefore the draw at Premier will ultimately determine the champion.
OC BatBusters – Stith
Grade: A
Destination: Premier Nationals
Tournament Wins:
1st 16U Surf City Kick Off Tournament
1st 16U ASA turkey tournament
1st 16U AA-Toys for Tots
1st Co-Champion Surf City 16U Valentines Day Tournament
Bracky Comments: Very good team and the favorites at Premier. Would be the odds on favorite with one of the best pitchers and a number of big hitters ….. but the offensive is 100% baseball and does go cold.
Firecrackers97- Sota
Grade: A
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
1st 14U ASA turkey tournament
1st 14U AA-Toys for Tots (Co-Champions)
1st 14U So Cal Finest Beat the Heat 4-2011
1st 14U Firecrackers MDC Tournament 5-2011
1st 14U Cal Cruisers Classic Tournament
Bracky Comments: Most consistent top level 14U team. Good all around team that will need to win a couple 2-1 and 1-0 games to make the finals at Premier.
Corona Angels (Lockman)
Grade: A
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
1st Surf City 14U Valentines Day Tournament
1st Co-Champion ASA So Cal State Tournament
Bracky Comments: This team is designed for Premier – 40-48 teams vs. 150+ last year at ASA Nationals. Premier is set-up so a team can pitch their ace in every game. With one of the divisions best pitchers – this team will be a hard team to deal with at Premier
Corona Angels 96 – Knighten
Grade: A
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:.
Bracky Comments: Flying under the radar. To have a chance to beat Stith, or Lockman in back to back games you need a couple of cool headed batters who can hit the ball over the fence. This team has the two bats!
Power Surge 96
Grade: A
Destination: ASA Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Unlike Lockman this team is better suited to a larger tournament like ASA Nationals. Team has solid pitching and probably the second best offensive. Will be a contender for the overall win in Midland - but maybe So Cal’s only hope!
Group B+ - The Bracket Dependent Contenders – Can win it all but it will take a bit of bracket luck (i.e., the A teams grouped in the other side of the bracket). Not a Top Contender because they are susceptible to B & C+ teams but they can beat an A team.
OC BatBusters McNee
Grade: B+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
1st TCS Memorial Day Classic Tourney,
Bracky Comments: This team can beat any of the A teams but they are very susceptible to both B and C+ teams. Will need to play their A game – every game or they will end up in the loser’s bracket fast!
TNL Gold
Grade: B+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
1st Co Champion ASA So Cal State Tournament
Bracky Comments: I said they would be a contender at ASA State! Another B+ team that can beat most of the A teams – but really a bracket dependent contender at Premier. Like McNee, Rodriguez and Sting the bracket gods will have to be on their side.
Firecrackers 96 - Rodriguez
Grade: B+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Previous: #4 (-3)
Tournament Wins:
1st Co-Champions – OC Batbusters Best of the West – 16U Fall Brawl Tournament
1st Co-Champions – Cal Cruisers Classic Tournament
Bracky Comments: Team looked awful at Premier and at ASA State. Seemed to gain some momentum in Colorado advancing thru the loser’s bracket to make the finals. Have a bad habit of going to the loser’s bracket early……
Irving Sting 96
Grade: B+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Ok some will argue that this is a questionable place for this team but it comes down to this (unlike McNee, Rodriguez and TNL) …….. they beat the teams they should beat. They may not be as overall strong as a couple of Group B teams but they are not as susceptible to the B and C+ teams.
Group B - The Spoilers – Don’t have enough to win it all but can send an A or B+ team home or to the losers bracket. Playing on Sunday (ASA Nationals) & Friday Night (Premiere) and a solid top ten finish are the ultimate goal.
So Cal Athletics 96/97
Grade: B
Destination: Premier NationalsWebsite:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Ok it’s a big tournament with some interesting spectators watching the games …… can you say “pressure”. In that type of environment I always like to bet on the very solid and sound teams that will not beat themselves.
San Diego Aztecs
Grade: B
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
1st TCS Monster Mash 10/16/2010
Bracky Comments: Small tournament (i.e., Premier) works in their favor – in a tournament with more teams I would put Breakers Imoto ahead of them. Probably suffered from too much “girl or parent drama” early in the year but they are looking better lately.
O.C BatBusters 96 – Marquez
Grade: B
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Comes down to this …… if they stop wishing for what they don’t have and play the hand given them … they will stay around to Friday. If they are still wishing and dreaming this team won’t last too long. Rule #3 – never take a big hitting team lightly.
So Cal Breakers 97 - Imoto
Grade: B
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Streaky team that is playing well right now. Not sure why but a lot of teams seem to not like this team. Maybe they should learn to walk quietly and carry a big stick!
So Cal Choppers
Grade: B
Destination: ASA Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: When on the pitcher gives them an edge over some of the other Group B and C+ teams. Big Bats but they are a bit inconsistent. Will have to play their A game in Midland to help So Cal represent!
Corona Angels 96 (Allen)
Grade: B
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Ok did they qualify? Wow that took along time – see what I mean when I say someone is susceptible to the B and C+ teams! Good coaching, defense and pitching – just lack offensive pop … so very susceptible.
OC Batbusters - (Ybarra)
Grade: B
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: The little version of Sting – very well coached but the offense has to be on full cylinders for them to make it to Friday night.
Lights Out
Grade: B
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: For all of the parents who change teams every season – this team is not for you. Qualifying for both ASA Nationals & Premier was a tremendous success for a team that “developed not recruited” their best players….. an excellent reward! Coaches of the year!
Group C+ - Very good teams that will need to play their A game to make it to Sunday (ASA Nationals) or Friday Night (Premiere). No C+ team has made the final eight at Nationals. These teams will cause some pain for a couple of B+ or B teams but not enough to make the final 4. Playing with the final 12 is the goal! C+ teams attending Western Nationals or TCS World Series are the favorites!
American Athletics - Kay
Grade: C+
Destination: ASA NationalsWebsite:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Will have to continue to step up their level of play in Midland. Probably So Cal’s second most consistent team going to ASA Nationals – so they will have a big target on their back. Need to stay away from the Group A and B+ teams in early rounds – not a great loser’s bracket team.
California Cruisers (Cone)
Grade: C+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: A dangerous team that would love to be around on Friday night at Premier
VC Venom
Grade: C+
Destination: ASA Nationals Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: The one C+ team that the A and B+ teams will want to stay away from in Midland.
Team Smith 97
Grade: C+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: A blue collar team that works hard but is a bit boring to watch. Very solid team.
CA Raiders
Grade: C+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Another well coach team that will surprise you with a upset or two.
USA Athletics - Eveland
Grade: C+
Destination: ASA Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Solid team that may have trouble dealing with some teams speed in Midland. Need to get a few good hits to make it to Sat night in Midland.
So Cal Hurricanes
Grade: C+
Destination: ASA Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Another solid team that should to very well in Midland. Sat night in Midland is the goal.
So Cal Pumas 96
Grade: C+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: The one team that should be able relaxed at Premier
Victory 97 - Fry
Grade: C+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Another team that had to fight it’s way to Premier. Will need to stay out of the loser’s bracket.
Firecrackers 97 (Javier)
Grade: C+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Bracky Comments: Another team that is a down and up. Not sure what to expect for them at Premier.
American Pastime 97
Grade: C+
Destination: Premier Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Comments: Completely overlooked by Bracky but a team that qualified for both Premier and ASA Nationals. Great job of building the team back up after the mid year break-up!
Group C - Very good teams that are a bit too hot and cold to be a C+ team (i.e., inconsistent). Playing on Saturday night is the main goal for these teams at ASA Nationals. Those attending Western Nationals will be labeled a top Contender in Roseville!
San Diego Mystic
Grade: C
Destination: ASA Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Comments:
San Diego Power Surge 97
Grade: C
Destination: ASA Western Nationals
Website:
Tournament Wins:
Comments: Still an up and down team. 2nd most over-rated team! Solid team
Punishers 97 Cameron
Grade: C
Destination: ?
Website:
Tournament Wins:
So Cal Invasion - Bob
Grade: C
Website:
Tournament Wins:
1st TCS World Series Champions 7-2011
Comments: Had a great run in Reno.
Other Very good teams
HB Breeze 97
Knockouts
Mizuno Pride - Tiumalu
American Athletics - Rawls
Nemesis - Wright
OC Elite - Ertle
So Cal Rage
Minors Gold Rosete
USA Athletics- Miskmen
Team Boombah 97
San Diego Breakers 96/97
OC Hawks 97
OC Fierce 96/97
Cal Lite
Primetime Elite
Glendora CRUSH 96
The Next Level 14u blue
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 14u the teams identified as A in fall are typically still A’s in spring. The hard fact of 14u is that in 2008, 2009 & 2010 the So Cal teams in the championship game at nationals were ranked in the top 3 in the last 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”. 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! 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)! Let's change this - a B Team has never placed in the top 4 at Nationals. 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!
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.
CA
14U Team Ranking (Bracketologist) Pre Premier & ASA Nat 7-22
Last edited by bracketologist on Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:55 am, edited 23 times in total.
- bracketologist
- Posts: 551
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:03 pm
Nice job, Bracky! Do you plan on finishing out the grades before spring for the TBD's or will that just have to wait?
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fastpitchdad05 - Premium Member
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 1:43 pm
You need to add Power Surge 96 to your list. They will be playing 14 u for spring and summer.
- trickplay
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:41 pm
trickplay wrote:You need to add Power Surge 96 to your list. They will be playing 14 u for spring and summer.
Last I heard PS96 had two 95's .......... anything is possible. Heck I thought there were two Victory 97 teams
Atleast I ranked both teams equal! 
Just tell me Jynx is coming back to 14u and it will be like "All in The Family" again!
- bracketologist
- Posts: 551
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:03 pm
fastpitchdad05 wrote:Nice job, Bracky! Do you plan on finishing out the grades before spring for the TBD's or will that just have to wait?
I will add the grades to teams after I watch them a couple of times in meaningful games.
- bracketologist
- Posts: 551
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Team Smith 97???
- DadinThestands
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:56 pm
Lights Out will definitely be much higher on the list since Shane Wells took over the team. He is a great coach that has years of experience at the Gold level. By the end I would put them in the top 10 category if the defense holds up. One of the best hitting teams out there but lacking speed on the bases. We will see.
- smash
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:25 pm
Fury 96 Smith - is going to give alot of these teams a run for the money.
- hookedup
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 9:49 pm
- Location: Murrieta, CA
Good job Brackey. thanks for all of the work you put into these polls. It is really tough to rank these teams before the ASA Turkey & the AA's Toys for Tots tourneys. I think Lights out and Voodoo will be moving up in your poll, both are expierenced 96 teams that have been together a while. Invasion, Cruisers, Punishers looked solid, but seem to me to be ranked a little high. I am surprised Mystic 96 did not make the list, another solid 96 teams that has been together a while. The next two weeks will tell alot.
- Uncle Rico
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:02 am
Uncle Rico wrote:Good job Brackey. thanks for all of the work you put into these polls. It is really tough to rank these teams before the ASA Turkey & the AA's Toys for Tots tourneys. I think Lights out and Voodoo will be moving up in your poll, both are expierenced 96 teams that have been together a while. Invasion, Cruisers, Punishers looked solid, but seem to me to be ranked a little high. I am surprised Mystic 96 did not make the list, another solid 96 teams that has been together a while. The next two weeks will tell alot.
Correct most of the 96's are down graded a bit because of High School ball. I've learned my lesson - 95% of 2nd teams will take a big step back after HS ball ends. If you look at some of the top 2nd 14u teams last year:
Minors Gold
San Diego Renegades
Mizuno Pride 95 Dawsey
They never regained the level of play they displayed during the Fall.
High School ball does not hurt 2nd 14U teams - it kills most of them!
- bracketologist
- Posts: 551
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:03 pm
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