Who are the Top 3 14U teams in DFW

[Joe]

So tell us middle age crazy who you think the top 5 teams would be at that time. Who am I leaving out?

Also, sbfan you sound like sour grapes a little bit. So are you saying if they play in 14U nationals this summer they are giving up their chance to be seen at the 16U level? Also, are you sure their team or athletes are not "on the radar" of any big colleges? You sound like a parent of a 96 team (perhaps Fusion, maybe DBat or Diamonds) and are upset they are not playing up. Just my opinion.

BB Rhine might be able to compete with your list. They re-tool every season so I don't know what they've got yet.

[Rootingforsis]

The current crop of 14u parents won't believe it, but with the exception of maybe the Kruzers, every team on the list would have been regularly run-ruled by the top 14u teams from 2-4 years ago. The 14u age group in North Texas is a wasteland of talent because the above average players are playing up and getting lost at 16u and 18u.

No one accepts that they need to establish themselves as a dominate player at 14u to create name recognition and recruiting buzz. College coaches are sick and tired of watching above-average 8th graders play 16u and freshman playing 18u. If you question that statement, call them and ask.

Once your DD joins one of the second- or third-tier 16u and 18u programs just so she can tell her classmates she is playing up, her Division I college recruiting opportunities are OVER! If you doubt that, name the Division I players (and for that matter Division II players) signed off an 18u Gold program not among the top 5-6 18u Gold travel teams in North Texas.

Those travel programs are not watching the average 8th grader or freshman playing on a second- and third-tier team. They are recruiting their future 16u and 18u Gold rosters off the top 14u teams. If your DD is an 8th grader who should be playing 16u, or a freshman who should be playing 18u, a coach in one of the top 5-6 organizations has ALREADY contacted you.

Otherwise, play 14u this summer in a top program if possible, and try to separate from the crowd. Then if your DD isn't already on one of those teams, try to move her onto one of the name-brand clubs with solid college recruting contacts in the Fall 2010. That's just my advice.

[men talljie aunt]

Joe you might be right about BB (Rhine). They do always seem to field a competitive team. I just never know what they are doing from year to year.

Sis rooter I understand what you are saying about I disagree with your claim about not being able to hang with teams from 2-4 years ago. It seems you suffer from glory days syndrome (no pun intended). You are probably one of those that says Kareem could not hang with Russell or Shaq with Kareem and so on. This current group of 95's and 96's probably have more skins on the wall than most if not any age group in the last several years. Since 2006, the Kruzers have won an ASA National Championship and a Top 10 finish; the Travelers have a Top 10 finish; the 96 Diamonds have a Runner-Up and a Top 5 finish and Fusion has a 3rd place finish. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Now I know some of these teams are no longer together and some of those players have moved up to older age groups, but the majority of talent is still in place. There are several athletes playing 14U that could make a lot of 16 or 18U's current rosters but have chosen to stay put for those reasons you listed. I have a sneaky suspicion there are going to be a lot of freshmen and sophomores on these rosters come fall.

[Lefty82594]

BB Rhine is 16U unless he got rid of his 94's. But as far as I know he hasn't.

[Rootingforsis]

. . . This current group of 95's and 96's probably have more skins on the wall than most if not any age group in the last several years. Since 2006, the Kruzers have won an ASA National Championship and a Top 10 finish; the Travelers have a Top 10 finish; the 96 Diamonds have a Runner-Up and a Top 5 finish and Fusion has a 3rd place finish. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Now I know some of these teams are no longer together and some of those players have moved up to older age groups, but the majority of talent is still in place. . .

I've seen 9 of the teams on this list play multiple games since last fall. I admit I don't know who they were missing at the time I watched them play, if anyone. I do know that virtually every team on this list has lost its star pitcher, power hitter, etc. to older age groups. The problem is that 14u as an age group is watered down from coast to coast. Since 2006-07, you are seeing fewer and fewer top high school freshmen players from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Texas playing 14u ball. This is especially true for pitchers, power hitters, and crazy speed.

Be sure that I'm not diminishing what these teams have accomplished, but in my opinion, the best three or four teams in the 14u age group from Houston and DFW would have killed the teams on this list most of the time they would play except for the Kruzers and Diamonds. Each of the teams from 2-4 years ago were almost entirely freshmen starters in high school playing 14u ball. I've seen only2-3 pitchers that would have been the ace of the staff from teams 2-4 years ago.

Again, that is just my opinion based on actually watching these teams listed play, and I'm certain there are many who probably disagree. . . . and for the record, no one could hang with Kareem