I just wanted to say good luck this season to three local teams in Elk Grove and Modesto.
All three are ranked in the top 20 for the preseason and look to be strong contenders this year.
If you are close to one or more of them go out and support their program/s and see some well played/coached softball.
Elk Grove H.S. (Elk Grove)
#1-Espn Rise
#2-MaxxPreps
Johansen H.S. (Modesto)
#15-Espn Rise
Pleasant Grove H.S. (Elk Grove)
#17-Espn Rise
#18-MaxxPreps
NorCal
Local HS teams looking good for the Central Valley
16 posts
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PitchersDad99 - Posts: 89
- Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:52 pm
Don't forget Oak Ridge (ESPN #37). They are a four time SJS Div 2 Champion. However they now play Div 1 in the "Super League" (Delta River: Sheldon, PG, Oak Ridge, St Francis, Folsom, and Ponderosa). Should be some great conference games.
Back to pre-season rankings. Rankings are based on last year's performance and really don't take into account the loss of key players. Pitching will always play a key role in the rankings (Wisdom, Carda, and Stanchek). Rankings are only one person's thoughts (possibly a small group of people's thoughts).
Take EG for instance: they return Wisdom, who is indeed a talent, but they lost Suitos, Basquez, and Stone. Three solid infielders who contributed greatly to the offense. Thus, EG now has a brand new, unproven IF and offense. Time will tell.
I'm curious what ILB has to say about his ranking.......... Performed very well last year when it counted. Can they work that same magic again this year???
Back to pre-season rankings. Rankings are based on last year's performance and really don't take into account the loss of key players. Pitching will always play a key role in the rankings (Wisdom, Carda, and Stanchek). Rankings are only one person's thoughts (possibly a small group of people's thoughts).
Take EG for instance: they return Wisdom, who is indeed a talent, but they lost Suitos, Basquez, and Stone. Three solid infielders who contributed greatly to the offense. Thus, EG now has a brand new, unproven IF and offense. Time will tell.
I'm curious what ILB has to say about his ranking.......... Performed very well last year when it counted. Can they work that same magic again this year???
- cardinal75
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:36 pm
Thank you for the input. I guess it will be an exciting season to see who pulls it out.
There were some good games last night at the Ceres tournament at Rainbow Fields.
East Union pulled out a couple of squeakers right at the end. It should be a good finish come Saturday.
Also looking forward to the Victory tournament next month with a lot of big fish in that pond.
ILB should be pleased as punch, with most of his team coming back. Johansen will have a strong year.
There were some good games last night at the Ceres tournament at Rainbow Fields.
East Union pulled out a couple of squeakers right at the end. It should be a good finish come Saturday.
Also looking forward to the Victory tournament next month with a lot of big fish in that pond.
ILB should be pleased as punch, with most of his team coming back. Johansen will have a strong year.
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PitchersDad99 - Posts: 89
- Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:52 pm
I have to completely disagree about Oak Ridge. Division 2 is not the same as D1 here. While I do think they are a solid team, everyone in the know will agree that Oak Ridge's offense is below average at best and will struggle to score runs. Heavily relying on Stanchek this season, and my guess is they wont factor into the equation at all in the end. Come back in two months and say you told me so.........but I doubt it.
And to the above post about elk grove, I do agree that they lost quite a bit but early on the bats seem to be ok. They have a new infield and will rely on a couple of freshman to get up to speed as Jeff has eluded to on the ESPN rise article. They have some quality young kids and should be fine this year, and years to come. In fact I dont see the Elk Grove/ Pleasant Grove dominance going away any time soon. Sheldon is the dark horse this year and has a ton of offense. Unfortunately for them they are not getting an influx of young talent to keep it going. Living in Elk Grove, I dont miss to many Sheldon, PG and EG games. Some great games being played around here. Yes , I'm a bit of a homer
And to the above post about elk grove, I do agree that they lost quite a bit but early on the bats seem to be ok. They have a new infield and will rely on a couple of freshman to get up to speed as Jeff has eluded to on the ESPN rise article. They have some quality young kids and should be fine this year, and years to come. In fact I dont see the Elk Grove/ Pleasant Grove dominance going away any time soon. Sheldon is the dark horse this year and has a ton of offense. Unfortunately for them they are not getting an influx of young talent to keep it going. Living in Elk Grove, I dont miss to many Sheldon, PG and EG games. Some great games being played around here. Yes , I'm a bit of a homer
- watchtonsofsoftball
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 6:31 pm
Johansen didn't just do well when it counted. They may have surprised many people in the north, but not myself. Out of their six loses last season, 2 were in playoffs. Out of their four reg season loses, they were all by one run.
I told our girls as we were getting ready for playoffs that there were only five or so teams that really had a legit shot to win sections, and we were one of them they just needed to play like they did all season, and they did. Am I happy? Sure I am. It is an absolut honor for me to get to coach such talented young plays.
As far as oak ridge and d1, when I coached at oak dale and we won back to back d2 and then it changednto d 3 if I remember correctly, I would have takes thatbteam up against any d1 team. You don't need to score tons of runs if younhave pitching and defense. When we beat pg last year, Carda dominated us. We struck out 17 times, yet we still won the game. If oak ridge has really god defense, I wouldn't want to see stanchek in the circle.
No matter what happens, that will be an awesome playoff bracket.
I told our girls as we were getting ready for playoffs that there were only five or so teams that really had a legit shot to win sections, and we were one of them they just needed to play like they did all season, and they did. Am I happy? Sure I am. It is an absolut honor for me to get to coach such talented young plays.
As far as oak ridge and d1, when I coached at oak dale and we won back to back d2 and then it changednto d 3 if I remember correctly, I would have takes thatbteam up against any d1 team. You don't need to score tons of runs if younhave pitching and defense. When we beat pg last year, Carda dominated us. We struck out 17 times, yet we still won the game. If oak ridge has really god defense, I wouldn't want to see stanchek in the circle.
No matter what happens, that will be an awesome playoff bracket.
- Iluvblue
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:05 pm
Quality H.S. Softball Coaches,
I give as much admiration as I can give to all of the Quality H.S. Softball Coaches out there.
I attended some of the local H.S. tournaments this weekend and found a level of competition on par with travel 12U. I don't know how you guys achieve the level of excellence that you do (in schools with quality programs). It was literally painful to watch some of the games. I thought I was watching "slow-pitch" during some of the games, and in my opinion "Slow-Pitch" is the worst thing since the sport was invented.
Please keep your young ladies on the right path.
I give as much admiration as I can give to all of the Quality H.S. Softball Coaches out there.
I attended some of the local H.S. tournaments this weekend and found a level of competition on par with travel 12U. I don't know how you guys achieve the level of excellence that you do (in schools with quality programs). It was literally painful to watch some of the games. I thought I was watching "slow-pitch" during some of the games, and in my opinion "Slow-Pitch" is the worst thing since the sport was invented.
Please keep your young ladies on the right path.
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PitchersDad99 - Posts: 89
- Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:52 pm
PD99,
Sorry to say that I agree with you regarding HS softball. While in travel ball, we generally see the best players in the area accumulated onto many of the top area teams. Yet in HS ball, it's completely watered down. You may be lucky to see 1-3 travel ball players on any one HS team. It is this situation that makes it difficult for the TB pitcher, as the weight of her HS team is on her shoulders. It's unfortunate, but I see many HS players opting not to play HS ball and just focus on academics.
Also, we the state of our economy and many school districts laying off teachers, many athletic programs are also on the chopping block. What will be the fate of HS to college softball be?
Sorry to say that I agree with you regarding HS softball. While in travel ball, we generally see the best players in the area accumulated onto many of the top area teams. Yet in HS ball, it's completely watered down. You may be lucky to see 1-3 travel ball players on any one HS team. It is this situation that makes it difficult for the TB pitcher, as the weight of her HS team is on her shoulders. It's unfortunate, but I see many HS players opting not to play HS ball and just focus on academics.
Also, we the state of our economy and many school districts laying off teachers, many athletic programs are also on the chopping block. What will be the fate of HS to college softball be?
- bring'nheat
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:08 am
Of course HS isn't as strong as TB. So what. HS ball gives them a chance to play for their school and town. Plus, usually they get to play with their friends and against TB teammates that play for other schools. Yes, there are some weak tournies out there but there are some good ones too. Go check out the Elk Grove in Sac tourney this week or the Livermore Stampede in April. Playing for a league title and maybe even a section title is nice too!
- bulldog21
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 1:34 pm
ILB - You continue to post as if you are the head coach of the high school softball team that you are affiliated with. I have heard that you are not. Are you?
- downthepipe
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:28 pm
downthepipe,
Show up at a game and watch, show up at a game and ask the girls, ask the parents, hell, even ask the "Head coach" who coaches the team.
I was called and asked to come to Johansen to coach the team. That is what I do.
So your insistence on saying I am not the "Head Coach"to some how minimize my role at Johansen is laughable.
I do at Johansen exactly what I did in Oakdale, which is run things. Dont need a title, dont want one, dont want to deal with behind the scenes garbage. I am fine doing what i do.
Show up at a game and watch, show up at a game and ask the girls, ask the parents, hell, even ask the "Head coach" who coaches the team.
I was called and asked to come to Johansen to coach the team. That is what I do.
So your insistence on saying I am not the "Head Coach"to some how minimize my role at Johansen is laughable.
I do at Johansen exactly what I did in Oakdale, which is run things. Dont need a title, dont want one, dont want to deal with behind the scenes garbage. I am fine doing what i do.
- Iluvblue
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:05 pm
16 posts
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