12U Fall Ranking

[WatchinBall]

As I am sure you know, there are usually only 11-13 girls on a team. It may appear that the line up's didn't change much but it is very possible and likely in a friendly situation. Sometimes even 1 or 2 changes can make a world of difference. Unless you are 100% positive that the line up's didn't change and all players played in their regular positions you shouldn't rank off of friendlies (in my opinion). I am sure you will see the teams listed at the top of your ranking's in another tourney together before the season is over. Or follow each team and their sucess or lack there of at the tourney's they attend giving some weight to the type of teams/age division/etc; they are playing. But a friendly is just that a friendly the bottom line is, that is when many coaches try different/new things and give opportunities to players to play positions that they may be interested in. It is likely to see 2nd string players getting lots of play time and , likely you will see 3rd and 4th string pitchers getting much deserved mound time regardless of the outcome. You certainly wouldn't or should I say shouldn't see those types of changes to your starting line up in championship game and really not even in bracket play. It is my opinion that the only fair/accurate way to rank teams is when you know without doubt they are putting their best foot forward. Would you rank the perfomance of your favorite FB/BB team in Pre-season or if they were scrimmaging using a mix of their first and second string players? Probably not! Or what about your Favorite BB team. Lets put in the the 4rth string pitcher and put your 1st string pitcher at SS or in OF. Hmm that is not a major change in the line up only a slight change but that slight change is likely to change how a team plays and possibly the outcome of the game you think? Or maybe you decide you want to try your #7 batter in the #2 spot and maybe switch your #1 with your #8 still slight changes but changes that can have a big impact none the less. These rankings are fun to watch because you clearly watch the performances of the teams which gives your posts some weight (again just my opinion) But there is a time and place to monitor the perfomance and although a friendly might give you a little insight to a team and how they may perform it definately isn't the performance that should hold weight in a ranking. just sayin

[Mr. Monday!]

Great point Watchinball, way to sum many things up. I thank Wilson Bats for keeping this thread going and his/her insight on the rankings. Bringing Nevada teams may not be a bad thing either. Unless this is strictly for Nor Cal.... I was able to catch a couple games on Sunday before the rain... From what I heard many teams were changing things up. The Cal Breeze look like they can hit the ball. Not bombs but consistent hits. The Smash had a good outing. They have a pitcher and catcher combo that are tough. Not sure if they will be moving up come January. I know the Sorcerers did good too. The Dirt Dogs lost all three Saturday and then won all three Sunday. The only quality win was the Sorcerers. I see the Top 5 as this so far...

1. Grapettes, N
2. Cal Breeze 98
3. Smash
4. Dirt Dogs 98
5. Sorcerers

I also think that these teams can move up and down on spots.... I heard that many teams will be going to Palmdale in November Triplr Crown....

[softballmom65]

Come on Wilson!!!
You might want to take another look at those rankings. I think for the most part everyone would agree that Grapettes(Norwood) is the #1 team in Nor Cal. Norwood has the #1 pitcher hands down, her girls are all well disciplined and know the fundamentals. I would say it is a tie at #2 between Sorcerers 98 and Breeze 98. The Sorcerers have good coaching and when the girls don't make the mental errors they can be a #1 team. Breeze have good coaching and can hit the ball. #4 would be Cen Cal Dirtdogs, #5 East Bay Vipers who had a good showing on Sat at the RR Gold tournament. #6 would be the San Jose Lady Sharks who had a good showing at the grapettes tourney. #7 Grapettes (Vasquez). #8 I would say is Grapettes 99 they have a great #1 pitcher and can hit the ball good. #9 RR Gold is also a very tough team good pitching and can explode for runs at any given time. #10 Valley Stompers. All of this is still pre-mature. The best will show when the spring comes. Players will shuffle after Fall season. It's a given.

[Tenshun]

Come on Wilson!!!
You might want to take another look at those rankings. I think for the most part everyone would agree that Grapettes(Norwood) is the #1 team in Nor Cal. Norwood has the #1 pitcher hands down, her girls are all well disciplined and know the fundamentals. I would say it is a tie at #2 between Sorcerers 98 and Breeze 98. The Sorcerers have good coaching and when the girls don't make the mental errors they can be a #1 team. Breeze have good coaching and can hit the ball. #4 would be Cen Cal Dirtdogs, #5 East Bay Vipers who had a good showing on Sat at the RR Gold tournament. #6 would be the San Jose Lady Sharks who had a good showing at the grapettes tourney. #7 Grapettes (Vasquez). #8 I would say is Grapettes 99 they have a great #1 pitcher and can hit the ball good. #9 RR Gold is also a very tough team good pitching and can explode for runs at any given time. #10 Valley Stompers. All of this is still pre-mature. The best will show when the spring comes. Players will shuffle after Fall season. It's a given.

reads ranking... <giggles>

[Wilson Bats]

Well here is my Rankings for this week I will not include Nevada teams as they have their own Regional News section. The Grapettes Norwood have played 14U the last two weeks and the other Top 5 played in friendlies. As of this posting I only see only Dirt Dogs & Breeze 98 playing in Palmdale in November. I'm sure there will be some comments on this ranking as I have lowered the numbers to 15. No disrepect to teams left off but I haven't seen you play and as things look now we won't be seeing all the top 15 playing in a tournament together this winter. The Grapettes Tournament Nov. 6 & 7 will be the next best time to witness these teams playing. Thanks for your interest in these ranking and please continue to share your thoughts.


1. Grapettes-Norwood
2. California Breeze 98
3. Sorcerers 98
4. C.C. Dirt Dogs
5. T.C. Smash
6. San Jose Lady Sharks
7. Valley Stompers
8. Grapettes- Vasquez
9. East County Vipers
10. Grapettes 99
11. AASA
12. SJ Sting
12. Runnin Rebels
13. Roseville Heat
14. Foothill Gold
15. Sun Devils

[Tenshun]

wilson, can you provide the reasoning behind your ranking?

[WatchinBall]

I would love to know the reasoning behind your rankings too. Clearly Grapettes are #1 and the Breeze is a strong contender if not the only contender for #2, your # 4 has beat your # 3 on a number of occassions if I am not mistaken the #3 beat the #4 only once in a close game, your number 5 has also beaten your #3 and your #4 and correct me if I am wrong but also the #2. I'm not going to go all the way down the list, I am sure you get the idea. What are you using to determine where in the ranking each team goes? Obviously, isn't head to head or even wins/losses. Just curious

[norcalballer]

WatchinBall you got a list????? Wow, you must really know your stuff!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you ever played or even coached the game?? Or do you just read up on the sport and think you know it all? Just curious.

[PitchersDad99]

Grapettes or not Grapettes, that is the ranking.
I guess this is a Mel Kuiper type of ranking system.
If you are Grapettes then you will be in the top ten.

[fatcat]

a couple things...while grapes may be the the top team, there are other teams that can give them a run for the money. breeze has come on strong, but they do not have a lock on the #2 seed.

each of the top five teams are all good and they all bring something different to the table.

ranking teams is pretty subjective and not as easy as only using head-to-head games, otherwise grapes would not be ranked #1.