My insight?? What do you want to know? I just do things my own way. I dont really care what others do. I have done this long enough that I just do what I think works. I have some parents on teams that are going crazy right now because I have not had a practice since we formed teams 7 weeks ago.
I need a break, the girls need a break. I thought I was going to get shot last weekend because while others were playing in a friendly I was at home chillin with my family... actually skiing at Dodge Ridge.
Our teams are just gearing up. We have LOTS of stuff to work on, and then we will start playing in a few friendlies to show the kids the stuff we have been working on. Then tourneys start and we continue to reinforce all the stuff we work on in practice. We hope to do well, but whatever happens, happens.
About 8 years ago we were in Mo. for a national qualifier. We won all games on Saturday and were positioned perfectly to win the the tourney and the trip to nationals (this was before we were getting trips to nationals out of the metro tourney, so it was REALLY HARD to go to nationals.)
We lost back to back games in the finals and everyone was devastated. We were in the airport waiting to come home and I got a call from my wife telling me my 2 and 4 year old were exposed to spinal meningitis (which can be deadly). That day changed the way I look at this game. We work hard and do the best that we can, but if we dont qualify, or we dont win a tourney, big freaking deal.
Teach the kids, give the parents some perspective, have fun, and enjoy softball for what it is. That is my insight for what it is worth.... which aint much.
NorCal
very well said iluvblue.
- Coach Kat
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:38 pm
Ditto from me. I have posted rankings on the 12U post
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Wilson Bats - Posts: 137
- Joined: Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:37 pm
won't give my ranking yet, but i will tell you what i'm expecting from some of the 12u teams this summer..
breeze 98 - finished fall ball strong and expect them to continue the momentum. good hitters and good game strategy will make them a top contender.
dirt dogs - what can't these guys do? I expect these guys will give everyone a run for the money. possibly the most well rounded team.
stompers – hardworking girls and excellent game strategy will keep the top teams on their toes.
grapettes sn - expect their #1 to lead the charge. run the bases like deer. Probably the best base running team out there.
rr gold – game young team with bigger bats than their size would indicate. Expect these guys to surprise a few of the “top” teams and catch them sleeping. Possibly the best 99 team.
sorceress - these guys can small ball with the best of them and force the errors. Possibly the fastest team in the area.
hotshots - the summer brings a new team together – merging players from several orgs. a few mashers, solid pitching. we'll have to see how the team comes together.
smash -possibly the best hitting team. and they can small ball too.
grapettes vasquez - will have to see what kind of pitching these guys bring, but they’re always game.
lady sharks - what a classy team. expect these guys to try to break into the top 5.
breeze 98 - finished fall ball strong and expect them to continue the momentum. good hitters and good game strategy will make them a top contender.
dirt dogs - what can't these guys do? I expect these guys will give everyone a run for the money. possibly the most well rounded team.
stompers – hardworking girls and excellent game strategy will keep the top teams on their toes.
grapettes sn - expect their #1 to lead the charge. run the bases like deer. Probably the best base running team out there.
rr gold – game young team with bigger bats than their size would indicate. Expect these guys to surprise a few of the “top” teams and catch them sleeping. Possibly the best 99 team.
sorceress - these guys can small ball with the best of them and force the errors. Possibly the fastest team in the area.
hotshots - the summer brings a new team together – merging players from several orgs. a few mashers, solid pitching. we'll have to see how the team comes together.
smash -possibly the best hitting team. and they can small ball too.
grapettes vasquez - will have to see what kind of pitching these guys bring, but they’re always game.
lady sharks - what a classy team. expect these guys to try to break into the top 5.
Last edited by Tenshun on Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
No courage. No game.
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Tenshun - Posts: 265
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:31 pm
The purpose of Preseason rankings gives everyone an overall idea of the landscape in our area. Makes it fun. I'm sure that's why ESPN or SI has preseason for football,basketball and Baseball. Gives us junkies some cookies to munch on. All in fun. Thanks for keeping it real Blue.
- Bdad73
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:29 am
This is awesome... civility on Heybucket:)
- Iluvblue
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:05 pm
I havent done any preseason rankings for 14u as I was waiting to see how teams round out. I think Norcal33 did a good job of the top 5 from what I saw in the fall.
Some key points of interest in 14u
1. AASA losing pitching will hurt them, but they seem to reload. If they dont however we could see a drop.
2. Roseville Heat losing their best player will hurt them. Still some talent there though
3. Breeze 96 Im not completely sold they will be as good as they were last year. But this is the year of 97s and ALOT of 96s have moved up. This could be the youngest 14u division in a long time for NorCal. In years past the highschoolers come back and clean up, and I just dont see a clear cut dominant 14u 96 team yet that will clean up in Nor Cal.
My favorite is probably Sorcerers at this point. Good hitting team and they seemed happy with what they had and got tryouts over in a hurry. Leads me to believe they were happy with the talent they were able to get. After that I'd say LM will be in the hunt and they will probably flip flop all year. LM has some talented kids but at times they seem to need a slice of humble pie. I say that because they will benefit from the 96s moving up and weakening of teams around these parts. I guess what Im saying is if the 96 teams that moved up and the various amounts of 96 players that are gone from the division were still around most of these 97 teams would be a non factor.
Some key points of interest in 14u
1. AASA losing pitching will hurt them, but they seem to reload. If they dont however we could see a drop.
2. Roseville Heat losing their best player will hurt them. Still some talent there though
3. Breeze 96 Im not completely sold they will be as good as they were last year. But this is the year of 97s and ALOT of 96s have moved up. This could be the youngest 14u division in a long time for NorCal. In years past the highschoolers come back and clean up, and I just dont see a clear cut dominant 14u 96 team yet that will clean up in Nor Cal.
My favorite is probably Sorcerers at this point. Good hitting team and they seemed happy with what they had and got tryouts over in a hurry. Leads me to believe they were happy with the talent they were able to get. After that I'd say LM will be in the hunt and they will probably flip flop all year. LM has some talented kids but at times they seem to need a slice of humble pie. I say that because they will benefit from the 96s moving up and weakening of teams around these parts. I guess what Im saying is if the 96 teams that moved up and the various amounts of 96 players that are gone from the division were still around most of these 97 teams would be a non factor.
- watchtonsofsoftball
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 6:31 pm
14's are YOUNG! LM always brings solid defensive team with tough pitching. Sorcerers follow suit. Fall is usually a feeling out period for coaches & players. AASA has a solid core group that's also defensively sound with consistent bats. Not sure who left, but pitching was solid. Each had something different they brought to mound. Interested to see what changes were made on Grapes 14 from fall as most were freshman. Know they lost 2 pitchers.
Spring / Summer will be a period of adjustment for most teams. Everyone starts at zero until they get a chance to play.
Spring / Summer will be a period of adjustment for most teams. Everyone starts at zero until they get a chance to play.
- bring'nheat
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:08 am
Iluvblue wrote:My insight?? What do you want to know? I just do things my own way. I dont really care what others do. I have done this long enough that I just do what I think works. I have some parents on teams that are going crazy right now because I have not had a practice since we formed teams 7 weeks ago.
I need a break, the girls need a break. I thought I was going to get shot last weekend because while others were playing in a friendly I was at home chillin with my family... actually skiing at Dodge Ridge.
Our teams are just gearing up. We have LOTS of stuff to work on, and then we will start playing in a few friendlies to show the kids the stuff we have been working on. Then tourneys start and we continue to reinforce all the stuff we work on in practice. We hope to do well, but whatever happens, happens.
About 8 years ago we were in Mo. for a national qualifier. We won all games on Saturday and were positioned perfectly to win the the tourney and the trip to nationals (this was before we were getting trips to nationals out of the metro tourney, so it was REALLY HARD to go to nationals.)
We lost back to back games in the finals and everyone was devastated. We were in the airport waiting to come home and I got a call from my wife telling me my 2 and 4 year old were exposed to spinal meningitis (which can be deadly). That day changed the way I look at this game. We work hard and do the best that we can, but if we dont qualify, or we dont win a tourney, big freaking deal.
Teach the kids, give the parents some perspective, have fun, and enjoy softball for what it is. That is my insight for what it is worth.... which aint much.
Last edited by Cool Breeze on Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Cool Breeze
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 4:40 pm
Iluvblue wrote:This is awesome... civility on Heybucket:)
Coach.......u an't goin soft on us are you????? Hope to see u again in May. Hopefully you won't have to leave between games this year!!!!
- cardinal75
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:36 pm
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