Best 14U Texas Teams

[shutup&playball]

if they are all 93 That team is the best 14u

[rip it]

3Bsnag, I agree with your list for the most part.

I am not sure how BB (Montoya) makes any list with all the rumored problems with this team. Talented group but will they stay together???

Here is what I would change. I would add Fusion (Sidwell) to the Best group with 94 Glory, Tx Peppers, and STE08 haven't seen this team but seem to be making some noise in the fall and early Spring. 94 Glory (Elliott) has performed well so far, but before I put them in the Best group I would like to see them compete against the other 4 teams listed in the Best group and win on a weekly basis.

[TXfastpitchsoftball]

I know this relatively new board is for now dominated by '94 parents, but how can you leave the Texas Traveler's (Splash); American Freedom, and Fusion (Sidewell) (mostly last year's '93 Texas Elite) off of any "Best" list when these teams all qualified for ASA 14u Nationals last season as first-year teams. Are these '94 teams really THAT good? If so, what make them the teams-to-beat in 14u over the best-of-the-best second-year 14u teams? Pitching, defense, ability to consistently hit 58 mph-plus pitching, coaching, etc. I can't remember a year in 14u (or any division for that matter) where a bunch of first-year teams dominated an age group. What am I missing?

[Brooke's Dad]

TXfastpitchsoftball - all very very good points.




I can only speak about teams that my DD has played against. Last year she never got the chance to play Fusion / Traveler's (Splash) / American Freedom - so I can't speak intelligently on those teams.

[3Bsnag]

How can I leave them off the best list? It was my post and I wanted to.

That was just my spring list because we are consistently making tournament predictions that are the same teams week after week. I've seen all 3 of those '93 teams play THIS spring and while they are good, they are beatable by any of my '94 "best" and "better" teams. Will that change when they get their all their team members back from HS? Probably.

In my opinion, Fusion-Sidwell doesn't look like they're hitting the ball as well and AF got beat by one of my '94 "better" teams at the Bomber. Only saw TT play once, but it looked like they had a few pickups, it was early in the season, and it was an average game.

Again, any team from any of those categories could beat one another, but for right now, this month and mostly next, I'm sticking with my list.

[TXfastpitchsoftball]

How can I leave them off the best list? It was my post and I wanted to.

That was just my spring list because we are consistently making tournament predictions that are the same teams week after week. I've seen all 3 of those '93 teams play THIS spring and while they are good, they are beatable by any of my '94 "best" and "better" teams. Will that change when they get their all their team members back from HS? Probably.

In my opinion, Fusion-Sidwell doesn't look like they're hitting the ball as well and AF got beat by one of my '94 "better" teams at the Bomber. Only saw TT play once, but it looked like they had a few pickups, it was early in the season, and it was an average game.

Again, any team from any of those categories could beat one another, but for right now, this month and mostly next, I'm sticking with my list.

Wasn't trying to start a fight. Just curious why these discussions this spring seem to have focus on '94 teams. Not saying it can't happen, but what about all these '94 teams makes them believe that they will dominate . . . unsually talented pitchers, hitters, defense, coaching? If this is the "best-of-whose-playing-right-now" list then the '93s (Rapid Fire, Traveler's, Freedom, Fusion, Anderson Express) probably shouldn't even be on the list because what you are seeing isn't even close to the rosters that they will field in June.

[3Bsnag]

I can be a smart azz, not trying to fight. I agree that this wave of '94 wins will diminish in June, with maybe the exception of the 2 Glory '94's. The reason I listed the '93's now is because they are still entering tournaments.

I can't wait till HOF Qualifer. I'll be one of the ones drifting from field to field just to see all the talent coming together!

[TXfastpitchsoftball]

I've heard the Peppers' pitcher is a legit, 60-mph-plus pitcher in a game, but I'll just have to see it to believe it. At 14u nat's you'll be able to count the pitchers on hand that can regularly hit 60 mph in a game, so she could be a once-in-while exception. From what little I've seen of the other '94s on this list, they just won't have the pitching or depth of pitching. Early in a bracket maybe, but not late on Sunday. I do think the younger hitters are just better than years' past, but can't see them consistently scoring enough runs to offset the usually weaker defensive part of their game.

[catdad]

TXfastpitchsoftball, good points, there's really no telling whats going to happen when all the 93's get out of high school ball and get with their teams for the summer. I did see AF play last fall in a 16U tournament and they looked really strong. I also saw TT beat a couple of the "best" teams a couple of weeks ago in Allen even though they were using 5 pickup players. I'm not sure about Fusion since I have'nt seen them play. High school playoffs start next week so more and more 93's should be open to travel ball every week. Hard to really judge teams you have'nt seen yet, so for now the 94's will continue to get votes until some teams prove they're better.

[wizard]

Last year HOF qualifier the 94 peppers had a pitcher throwing 60-61 mph.Don't know if it is the same girl as you were hearing about.Our head coach didn't believe it till he saw her in person.