14U Top Teams - Bracketologist - Teams To Watch!

[OCwildcatMom]

[quote="NoTimeForChores"]Irving Sting is the top 96 team in So Cal if you judge by the results of championship play. I was watching some games over the last few weeks. So Cal Invasion needs to be up there as does Wicked. Watched the Punishers play two games and was not impressed. I have not watched any Corona Angels (Lockman) games yet (this season) but if he managed to hold it together (5 or 6 true number 1's), I would bet they will come out on top. Batbusters 96 not what they used to be. Bomb Squad picked up a couple of quick players so may be very competitive. Not sure what is up with Minors Gold. I know they had a coaching meltdown last year. Voodoo lost most of their talent last year so will be interesting to see the rebuild. I will reserve judgment on those two until I see them play.

My Picks:

Corona Angels (Knighten) - Not sure if staying a 14U or moving to 16U, always fields a competitive team. Great Coaching, great pitching, good hitting.
Irving Sting 96 - Top SoCal 96 Team last year. Good Coaching. Inconsistent bats.
Bomb Squad 96 - New pick ups with speed and bats. Should be a scrappy team. Good Coaching.
Firecrackers97-Sota - National 12U finalist last year. Great Coaching. Best 97 pitcher in So Cal. This team will be very competitive.


I think you really need to check your data about the 97 pitcher.

CA-Lockman has a very talented 97 pitcher
Choppers have very solid 97 pitching
1 of the BB teams has Ray's 97 Pitcher as well.

I FC do have a good pitcher but I would not say the best in So Cal.

[Ironhorse]

I'm not as excited by 14u this year because it appears we may not be able to crown a true National champion – as some of my top contenders will go ASA Nationals and the others to Premier!

Not many top tier 96 team’s stayed down so the top 3 is easy – of the 96’s OC Batbusters Stith, Firecrackers Rodriguez and Corona Angels – Knighten are the key contenders and are the 96’s most likely to win Nationals (either one).

As I said last year and the year before – with High School ball it is easier for a top first year 14u team to do well and contend at Nationals then a second year team. If you look past the top finishing second year 14u team at Nationals the last two year – most of the So Cal teams in the top 10 are 1st year 14u teams.

Corona Angels 96 – Knighten - A
Firecrackers 96 – Rodriguez - A
OC Batbusters 96 – Stith - A

OC Batbusters - McNee – Top Contender
Firecrackers 97 (Javier) – Top Contender
Firecrackers97-Sota – Top Contender


The following teams are on my watch list – who else belongs?

Not in any order!

San Diego Aztecs
Corona Angels(Lockman)
California Cruisers (Cone)
Bomb Squad 96
So Cal Pumas 96
Minors Gold 96
OC Batbusters -(Ybarra)
Corona Angels (Allen)
San Diego Power Surge 97
So Cal Choppers
American Pastime 97
Cal Storm
Voodoo/Black
Lights Out

Let the hype begin!

Great list Bracky. Just a couple of questions? Bomb Squad 96 lost 4 players to BB Marquez, didn't they? When will the first rankings come out?

Here is a couple of teams that I have seen that deserve mention:

Punishers 97 Cameron- Just an overall well balanced team. Good coaching, pitching and hitting solid all around.

OC Batbusters 96 Stith- Great all around easily a favorite.

Firecrackers 97 Javier- Big Hitting team with a decent defense can play with anyone.

So Cal Athletics 96/97- Well coached and fundamentally sound, overall a good game.

Wicked 96- Not Helms team, Martin (i think), balanced hitting, good pitching, decent defense

OC BB Ybarra- Good overall team.

Mizuno Pride 97 Tiamalu- Watched them play FC Sota great game. Very balanced team.

These are just teams that I have seen at some friendlies so none of it really matters until tournament play begins.

[PoorBirdie]

From what I heard Bomb Squad 96 lost three girls to OCBB Marquez which was no hurt to the team anyway. They are still a team to watch!

[Ironhorse]

From what I heard Bomb Squad 96 lost three girls to OCBB Marquez which was no hurt to the team anyway. They are still a team to watch!

Good deal, I havent seen them play, just passing word of what I was told.!!

[EzOut.EzOut]

What about Jynx?

[KekambuS]

Bracky,
Add Victory97-Fry on your watch list. We played them this weekend and they are a very strong team and very well coached.

[ontheblack]

Nothing a team did last year counts for anything today. Teams lose players and gain players. Sometimes that one addition or subtraction can make a world of difference in team chemistry and on field performance.

[CODE_BROWN]

Nothing a team did last year counts for anything today. Teams lose players and gain players. Sometimes that one addition or subtraction can make a world of difference in team chemistry and on field performance.

this statement makes total sense....I'm no Bracky but if that is how rankings are normally done (basing it on last years team performance) then thats the way it is but do I agree with it.....nah.

[bracketologist]

Thanks for all of the feedback - I have a number of teams to watch.

Went to O.C Batbusters 16u Fall Brawl Tournament and two 14u teams played in the the semi's.

Firecrackers 96 – Rodriguez vs. OC Batbusters - McNee (FC96 won) - Co-Champs with OC Batbusters Meyers 16u.

OC Batbusters McNee = very good team, great combination of talent and coaching. They will be a contender for Nationals.

Firecrackers 96 - Rodriguez = A grade team (they were the top finishing 1st year 14u team at ASA State last year aka = 5th Nemesis 96) same team, same players, and same coaches. Along with CA-K 96 this years Nationals 14u favorites. Not sure why FC96-R are playing down in 14u at ASA Tourney - most second year 14u teams play up in 16u in the fall..

Should be a fun year......................

[bracketologist]

Thanks Bracky. I will update my notes.

Irvine Sting was the top 96 SoCal team last year if you go by Championship play at States and Nationals. I don't think any 96 team came in ahead of their placement at States and only a handful at Nationals. Sure the bracket gods were good to them but you got to give them their due.

Dude, you need to do your homework and get your facts straight.

Directly off of SoCal ASA website: Final order at 14U ASA States.

Place Team
1 SoCal Madness 95
2 Firecrackers
3 Lakewood Firecrackers
4 Corona Angels 95
5 Mizuno Pride 95
5 Nemesis
7 OC Batbusters‐McNee
7 SoCal Athletics
9 Irvine Sting 96
9 Mizuno Pride‐Dawsey
9 CA Cruisers 96
9 Bomb Squad

As you can clearly see every team above Irvine Sting (that lists age) is a 95 and not a 96 team. If you want me to post the Nationals Final order of finish for you, you will see only a few (96) teams finishing above them, and most of those from other States. Maybe you should do your homework before posting.

Actually teams posted as top contenders for this year did not even qualify for Nationals at States last season and had to scramble to other tournaments/States to earn a berth. I am not saying they are the best team out there (right now), only they deserve SoCal bragging rights.

No SoCal bragging rights for Irving Sting - that would go to Jynx & PowerSurge 96 both 1st year 14u teams in the top 5 at ASA Nationals.


14u ASA Nationals
4. Jynx 96 - (2011 = 16u)
5. Power Surge 96 - (2011 = 16u)

ASA State Place Team (Jynx & PS96 did not attend ASA State - already had berth)
1 SoCal Madness 95
2 Firecrackers 96 - this was a 96, but picked up some 95's before ASA State. (2011 = 16u)
3 Lakewood Firecrackers - 95 team
4 Corona Angels 95
5 Mizuno Pride 95
5 Nemesis - (pure 96 team) (2011 = 14u aka Firecrackers 96 – Rodriguez)
7 OC Batbusters‐McNee - mixed 95/96 (2011 = 14u but about half from OC BB Ray 12u National Champions)
7 SoCal Athletics - Considered a 96 team. (coaches & key players = 16u in 2011)
9 Irvine Sting 96 - (pure 96 team) (2011 = 16u)
9 Mizuno Pride‐Dawsey - 95 team
9 CA Cruisers 96 - Considered a 96 team. (16u in 2011)
9 Bomb Squad - Considered a 96 team. (now Firecrackers 16u in 2011)