12U Spring/Summer Ranking

[itsforthekids]

#2-Sorcerer98- Great pool play in 14’s, but got rolled on Monday. They got a true taste what 14’s is all about. Would be better served playing top #12 first. Limited and young pitching starting to show. Will make deep run in Reno Triple crown.

"Got a true taste of what 14's is all about??" They have BEEN playing 14's almost ALL season and have been competing well, just won last weekends 14's tournament they were in and have beaten some top 14's teams also. (Breeze 97 (x2), OBS Monarchs, and AASA-Mello to name a few)

Sorcerer 98 overall record in 14's divison is 27 WINS and 5 LOSSES and "Tenshun" has them ranked 6th in his 12U ranking thats a joke!!!!!!!! With that record why should they play more 12's tournaments???

Last thing I heard was this team was filled with 6 "99" and 6 "98" players. I would say that those young little girls are competing quite well playing up in the 14's divison with no credit being given. I think they should keep up all the hard work they are doing and stay right where they fit in.

And your right, 2 of their 3 pitchers are 99's.

"Got Rolled on Monday really???" I watched their first game and it was a 16-5 win with Sorcerers winning that game. 2nd game was close game 2-0 till the last inning with AASA winning 6-0 after pitching #1 and #2 to get the win. Sorcerer 98 went 5-1 in the Memorial Day tournament this weekend making it the Gold Bracket with 8 teams left.

GETTING ROLLED WOULD BE THE Sorcerer 14's team beating Storm-Given 16-0 in semi-finals and beating AASA-Mello 13-1 in championship game.

And "NO" I don't have a DD on any Sorcerer team, just a big fan of the organization.

[Missinit]

Any coach out there that adjust their schedule to make a Heybucket top ten list should probably head back to rec ball and I would bet most of the coaches whose teams are on the top ten list feel the same.

[Tenshun]

#Sorcerer 98 overall record in 14's divison is 27 WINS and 5 LOSSES and "Tenshun" has them ranked 6th in his 12U ranking thats a joke!!!!!!!! With that record why should they play more 12's tournaments???

And "NO" I don't have a DD on any Sorcerer team, just a big fan of the organization.

Where to start????

As my ranking indicates, Sorcerers 98 is a very good team. But just because they have a nice record in 14s doesn't mean they're better than the top 12s. Which top 12u teams have they played and which have they beaten? In case you're not sure, please see my ranking.

Of the top ten, they have only beaten Stompers and Grapes RV (in a tough matchup).

They have lost to Smash, Dirt Dogs and Breeze multiple times (if you count friendlies where teams are playing to win). Grapes Vasquez has an impressive record this season and has earned their spot and given the improvements Hotshots have made (reflected in their wins), they deserve their top 5 position as well.

It is possible that Sorcerers could beat some of the other top 5 teams, but they are yet to prove it. Playing 14s after losing to the top 12u teams doesn't prove that point.

Tenshuns ranking rewards teams who play the best and beat the best.

The reality is that they are probably playing 14s to help them prepare for their run at natioanls or Triple Crown WS and could care less about Tenshuns ranking. But you don't know that since you don't have a DD on the team.

You're calling Tenshun's ranking a joke?

You tell me how the team has earned a higher ranking?

[itsforthekids]

They have lost to Smash, Dirt Dogs and Breeze multiple times (if you count friendlies where teams are playing to win).

Lost to Smash twice, that's the only multiple loss I see on their website. Make sure you know your facts before you start knocking down some 11 and 12 year olds. And if they are playing "B" ball tournaments then I guess Sting, Breeze 97, AASA, Fresno Force, and Obs Monarchs (to name a few) all are too.

At the end of the day your ranking is just "ONE" opinion out of hundreds that watch softball.

[Tenshun]

Don't try to twist my words. I think highly of the team and thus all the positive comments in my ranking. Yes, they have beaten some good teams.

I have never disparaged any of the girls on the team, unless it's in your imagination. In fact I have offered praise.

Not sure how you infer otherwise. They are a good team and all I asked you to do is to tell me where and why you think they fit higher into the ranking?

Instead of giving the bucket your opinion, you choose to attack me because you don't like mine.

This ranking changes all the time, so don't try to focus it one team. All the teams move up and down according to performance.

[coachadub]

GameTimer 23 ranking as of 5/31…

#1- Smash- Force, 14’s and Memorial Day winner. Team will make a deep run at nationals or westerns.
#2-Sorcerer98- Great pool play in 14’s, but got rolled on Monday. They got a true taste what 14’s is all about. Would be better served playing top #12 first. Limited and young pitching starting to show. Will make deep run in Reno Triple crown.
#3. Grapes RV-better and better each game. This teams shows up and will play anybody. Could have a good run at nationals or westerns.
#4.Hotshots- Played a few top teams and won. Injuries and limited pitching set them back in championship game vs. smash. Great showing and will do well at Reno Triple Crown.
#5. D Doggs98- I love these kids, but had some issues this weekend. They will pull it together and move up as season goes on. Maybe a little too much so cal?
#6. Breeze98- they looked a little off to me this weekend. Losing a top player is starting to show and coaches seem to be on edge. Still a great team and coaches and will make a good run at nationals.
#7-AASA- Playing 14’s & beat grapes 14’s & Stars, 6-2 and won Silver bracket and beat breeze98. Team is really starting to gel and 99’s are playing big roll. (2) Stud #1’s pitchers help.
#8.Grapes SN-really hard to judge and haven’t scene very much of them, but they beat R&R 99 and won championship. Will need to play and beat top team to move up at all.
#9. R&R Gold99- I love these kids. Seem to play well vs. older teams and down to younger ones. This will be top U12 in 2012.
#10. Foothill Gold- Not a big fan and think they peaked a month ago. Will need to beat top teams to move up, my guess it will be down.
#11. Stompers98- Stud coach and solid players. Coach will always keep kids in the game and get the most out of the talent he has. As 10’s this was a stud team, but most have left.
#12. Storm98- Playing RR tourney and losing to MoJo doesn’t help at all. I could see them following off the map. Peaked too soon?

HM-Intensity, Blast, Breeze99, Hype98 ,Sting & OBS

Thanks Gametime for recognizing our team's performance in our first NorCal Tournament this past weekend (Central Cal Intensity)!! Played real well on Saturday & Sunday going 5-0 (including 5-3 win vs AASA in a "memorable" game...LOL!!). Played our worst game all Spring on Monday however and deservingly got knocked out by a young, but up and coming, Elk Grove Thunder. Having spent all Spring playing against the top teams in SoCal (including 5 of the Top 10 teams atleast once), this tournament was a nice change of scenery. Got a first look at the best in NorCal (watched the Saturday game btwn the Smash & Breeze 98) as well. Want to thank the TD for getting our team in last minute. Good luck to everyone the rest of the year!!

[rbi]

#2-Sorcerer98- Great pool play in 14’s, but got rolled on Monday. They got a true taste what 14’s is all about. Would be better served playing top #12 first. Limited and young pitching starting to show. Will make deep run in Reno Triple crown.

"Got a true taste of what 14's is all about??" They have BEEN playing 14's almost ALL season and have been competing well, just won last weekends 14's tournament they were in and have beaten some top 14's teams also. (Breeze 97 (x2), OBS Monarchs, and AASA-Mello to name a few)

Sorcerer 98 overall record in 14's divison is 27 WINS and 5 LOSSES and "Tenshun" has them ranked 6th in his 12U ranking thats a joke!!!!!!!! With that record why should they play more 12's tournaments???

Last thing I heard was this team was filled with 6 "99" and 6 "98" players. I would say that those young little girls are competing quite well playing up in the 14's divison with no credit being given. I think they should keep up all the hard work they are doing and stay right where they fit in.

And your right, 2 of their 3 pitchers are 99's.

"Got Rolled on Monday really???" I watched their first game and it was a 16-5 win with Sorcerers winning that game. 2nd game was close game 2-0 till the last inning with AASA winning 6-0 after pitching #1 and #2 to get the win. Sorcerer 98 went 5-1 in the Memorial Day tournament this weekend making it the Gold Bracket with 8 teams left.

GETTING ROLLED WOULD BE THE Sorcerer 14's team beating Storm-Given 16-0 in semi-finals and beating AASA-Mello 13-1 in championship game.

And "NO" I don't have a DD on any Sorcerer team, just a big fan of the organization.

These are key points! The Sorcerers have a mix of kids, just like most teams, but this team is really strong with even the 99's, that says alot. They know what they have, playing 14's is about getting better, its about playing someone different, its about a lot of things other than what most think, we all did it, we hope it worked, most of us with a top 12u team did very well in 14's. Now when you can do well with a 99' in the circle playing 14's that says a lot and they have had success doing that. Its now always about "W"'s people or ranking's, its about getting better, bottom line, and however you feel as a staff in getting there, so be it, and they have a excellent staff..

Now Smash on other hand knows they have the horses, I might be wrong but I am going to say mostly if not all 2nd year 12's. They know where they stand, they know what they have, and they have a good staff. Now I have not followed close enough to know if Smash 12u has played in 14's or not this Spring and/or how they have done. Its about choices as a staff, and whatever you feel helps your kids get better, than go for it, dont let outside influences deter you from your mission.

[norcalballer]

Well said rbi. It's all about getting your team better and getting the best competition you think you can get for your team. Obviously trophy chasing and winning a tournaments isn't the top agenda for all teams. If it was, Sorcerer 98 would of probably played all 12's tournaments and would possibly have won some of those tournaments. I think they are doing a good thing and competing well where they are. No ranking system should make them change their agenda. Smash and Breeze 98 also played in 14's tournaments as well and also did a great job and competed.

As for tenshun, who is he? He has no credentials, just a fan stating his opinion, nothing more. But when you try to take away from a team by saying they played in "weaker" or "B" tournaments (like that's the only reason they have the wins)that's when I lose all faith in your rankings. All of the top 12's tournaments have had teams that are questionable and could be classified as weaker or B teams and that doesn't take away from any of the teams that won those tournaments in the 12's. So why would you try to knock down the Sorcerer 98 team for their accomplishments. They have beat a lot of top 14's teams as well and continue to compete consistently. Hope the coaches and the girls keep up the hard work and play wherever they choose to play. Doesn't make them a lesser team.

Smash by all means deserves the #1 ranking after that i disagree with tenshun a spot or two here and there. But then again that's my opinion. I don't need to post it on heybucket and critique all the teams like I am a know it all either.

[GameTime23]

It’s-4-kids…thank you for your 2nd post and your attempt to call me out. I call it how I see it and where were you my last 5 rankings when I was giving sorcerer98 LOVE? From day one I have loved this team and have sorcerer98 ranked #2 all year long. Tenshun and myself have debated this for a while now.

I just want to make it clear these kids can flat out play vs. ANYBODY with solid coaching and cool parents…This team has been killing 14’s and played great in So Cal…2 coach kids 99, #1 pitcher 99 and new Grapes pitcher 99.

Facts: they have lost to smash, breeze and dogs more than they have beaten them since fall.True FACTS!!!


Sorry I quoted a parent that told me they got "rolled up" on Monday. Poor choice of words and I apologize. And this was one of the 1st big test they have faced in a big tournament playing someone’s/top 14's #1 Sunday lineup.

DF 14’s: blast-Spartans & Heat
Triple play: loss to smash & dogs
Wilson 14’s: comets, thunder, star & misfits
Bash tourney:Stompers 14s-steal breeze-silverstreak
Memorial day:Ice-hype, ghost& Rush

I think U12’s top 5 teams would beat all of these teams too. Please don’t kill the messenger

[Tenshun]

Look, I think that everyone who has followed my rankings knows that I try to keep my comments on all the teams relatively positive. But when asked to defend my reasoning sometimes difficult comparisons are made.

The recent update rewards teams for solid showings in the big recent tourneys. Sorcerers can hang with ANY team in the top five and IMO, are likely to move up the ranking as the continue to play.