2011 Rankings: 14U

[bring'nheat]

While I didn't stick around for the Championship game, I've heard this story from several sources (none of which were from AASA) and every version has been consistent. And in this odd world of softball, consistency is a rarity.
Last time I checked, these are young ladies (this incident in particular-14 year old young ladies) and it's a shame that an individual such as this has provided them with a valuable lesson...it is NOT about them, but it's about the adults who feel it's THEIR right to flex whatever muscle power they think they have. Maybe this individual needs a long reality "cup check".
To ALL the young ladies who were affected by this incident (both teams). Regardless of the outcome, be proud of yourselves and how you played. All of you must have done something right to make it to the Championship game. Continue to play the game you love with passion. There will ALWAYS be bad umpires...just remember to say Thank You to the good and consistent ones, win or lose. With integrity and sportsmanship, you will go further than one umpire.
Good job AASA and RR

[anothermom]

While I didn't stick around for the Championship game, I've heard this story from several sources (none of which were from AASA) and every version has been consistent. And in this odd world of softball, consistency is a rarity.
Last time I checked, these are young ladies (this incident in particular-14 year old young ladies) and it's a shame that an individual such as this has provided them with a valuable lesson...it is NOT about them, but it's about the adults who feel it's THEIR right to flex whatever muscle power they think they have. Maybe this individual needs a long reality "cup check".
To ALL the young ladies who were affected by this incident (both teams). Regardless of the outcome, be proud of yourselves and how you played. All of you must have done something right to make it to the Championship game. Continue to play the game you love with passion. There will ALWAYS be bad umpires...just remember to say Thank You to the good and consistent ones, win or lose. With integrity and sportsmanship, you will go further than one umpire.
Good job AASA and RR

Well put and so true!

[Bdad73]

I wanted to see how all the teams fared if there was a Points System in place for rankings. It would base it all on results(Grapes tournies). If you’re a 12U team playing up and received points, Kudo’s to your team! Hope you enjoy the read.

After the 2 most recent tournaments here’s how it looks:

Pts awarded as follows:
Winning Pool Record 1 pt
Pool Winner 2 pts (1 pt for a tie)
Undefeated in Pool 2 pts ( I added this to give teams credit for their depth)
Quarterfinal appearance 3 pts
Semis 5 pts
Finals 5 pts
Winner 5 pts

Points System Ranking:

1. AASA 36 Points
2. OBS Monarchs 31 Points
3. RR Gold 24 Points
4. Lady Magic 18 Points
5. Grapes (SN) 11 Points
6. Silverstreak 10 Points
7t. TC Smash (B) 8 Points
7t. SJ Sharks (R) 8 Points
7t. Mizuno AA(H) 8 Points
8. Foothill Gold 6 Points
9t. Breeze 97 4 Points
9t. Sting(I) 4 Points
10t. Sorcerer98 3 Points
10t. Kryptonite97 3 Points

Honorable Mention: Grapes CL 2, Lady Hustle 1, Breeze98 1, Rocklin Hype 1, TC Smash(Thorn) 1, Bears 1, Misfits 1, Force 1, SJ Sharks(TB) 1


Disclaimer: I don’t take responsibility for Excel errors! Damnit this took longer then I planned for but definitely fun to see how the teams stack.

[Tenshun]

Very interesting bdad. It'd be cool if someone would use your formula in the 12s and line it up against the Tenshun ranking system. I suspect there'd be a strong correlation.

[Bdad73]

Ten..that system has not been patented. Feel free to use it and yes..I would suspect like in 14's the top 5 would be very close to your ranking.

[Tenshun]

I'll have to leave the task up to someone who has better excel and numbers skills than me.

[luv2teachthegame]

"The umpire was not out of line to toss a coach. It is their perogative."

It is NOT an umpires prerogative to toss a coach. An umpire needs to have sufficient reason to do so. THAT is the main problem....some of these umpires that are at these tournaments feel it is THEIR prerogative and they hold that power to control the game. The best umpires around are the ones that we don't even know are there because they don't initiate conflict, follow coaches to the dugout, or make a mistake and get mad when a coach knows it.

The sad part is that good umps are far and few between. It is bad when you see a good ump and think to yourself, "FINALLY!" If an ump has to throw out a coach it should be for the behaviors mentioned above and not because he/she is soooooo bad that they lose control of the game with their lack of knowledge, understanding, and ability.

[Blockster]

That's a pretty nice ranking system there bdad. Looks like it's weighted pretty evenly. Only recommendation I would make is to only use it for the more competative tournaments. A good team entering a weaker tourny might skew the numbers.

[Bdad73]

Thanks Blok! I see your point..I took for granted the fact the last two tournaments have been fairly large size. But the idea was with the points being weighted more for advancing on Sundays that it would root out the "luckier" teams. But at the same time if they were lucky enough to come up with a decent showing during Saturday pool play they got a point..Small points will basically leave you in Honorable Mention rather then the top of the heap which was more where I wanted to see how it stacked.

[lvtwft]

IMO, you would need to publish which tourneys you are doing it for. That way teams can enter if they want to get ranked.
Other wise teams might pass up on that tourney and play something closer to home that week, but play one you do a month down the road. If they win it and everyone thinks they are the new flavor of kool-aid this week, they would not be ranked to high on your list...IMO.