NorCal Top Ten !

[NapoleonD]

All American Sports Academy is the name reference. They are one of the better training facilities and outstanding College Prep Programs in the area (IMO). They host a few Showcase tournaments every year which provide some very good exposure to a lot of teams.

Thanks xxxYerOut...
I will keep an eye out for them. Just an FYI though, I do not think they are affiliated with All American Sports Academy. That organization is based in Tracy, run by Debbie Nelson, and they do not have a 14U team. I think the Mizuno All American team is based in Sacramento.

[xxxYerOut]

It's actually All American Softball School, Inc out of West Sacramento. I had the name wrong. Kelly Jackson also has a Roseville location at Arena Softball.

[NapoleonD]

Not to get off track here... But, have you ever been to that arena Softball facility in Roseville? I heard about some type of indoor game they play with fields that are enclosed in a net...

To get up back on track, I think that 12U Grapettes team ispretty scrappy and how about AASA's 12U team? I thought they did well last year. Just my 2 cents, really do not know much on the 12's.

[Ericn559]

Just a response to DBLUE on why I thought it was a surprised of the top ten list. Central California Dirt Dogs 14U took 4th at Western Nationals at 12u. They move up to 14u and make some good pick ups and had a good fall ball. The tournaments that you said are filled with B caliber teams consisted of playing and beating your number 1 selection San Jose Lady Sharks (I do agree they are a top 10 team) at the Halloween Bash in the championship game. The Dirt Dogs also had to beat the Salinas Storm (which I believe you left off your list) the game prior to get into that championship game. The Triple Crown in Santa Clarita had 21 teams like Lakewood ladies, Synergey, Bomb Squad, Anderson Heat to name a few. Central California Dirt Dogs took 3rd place in that tournament. A couple of teams on your top 10 list didn't place in the top 10 at Triple Crown in Santa Clarita. I believe the teams mentioned are the elite teams.

[DBLUE]

There's some information for me to consider. I doubt that the Sharks team you beat is the one that is sitting at #1. If it is you will be in the top ten on the next update. The Salinas Storm are not in the top ten for many reasons, mainly though, because they just don't belong. Matter of fact, they don't have a team anymore at the 14 level. I think what I really need, is seeing results against these teams, instead of some of those socal teams. Not saying your team doesn't belong, but until you consistently play Norcal teams and tourneys, it's hard to rank you among them.

The Guru

[DBLUE]

There were only 2 teams at that triple crown event, Breeze 3-1 , and the Force. The force like I said on the post , might not be in the top ten for long. 75% teams at that tournament would get blown away by top ten.

[Intel]

The Force 14U team at Santa Clarita is not the same force team in 2008. In Santa Clarita they were missing their top pitcher and another starter. They have added some new talent and should contend. I will agree the Cen Cal Dirt Dogs are young in the 14U division but they are a strong hitting and discplined team that will only get better with more games.

[xxxYerOut]

Not to get off track here... But, have you ever been to that arena Softball facility in Roseville? I heard about some type of indoor game they play with fields that are enclosed in a net...

To get up back on track, I think that 12U Grapettes team ispretty scrappy and how about AASA's 12U team? I thought they did well last year. Just my 2 cents, really do not know much on the 12's.

We go to Arena Softball often to throw inside. DD has taken a few lessons there. I have not actually played on their fields, but have watched. You play everything off the net. Nothing is foul. Pretty fast pace game though.

I have not seen the Grapette's or AASA play in over a year, but did take a peek at the Grapette's roster. They have picked up a few very good players. I see two very solid pitchers and that is always a good place to start.

Good to see some solid teams coming together. Let's hope it clears up long enough so we can actually play some ball.

[xxxYerOut]

Grapettes did not fair to well when they came down to SoCal for the ASA Turkey Tournament. Don't know what the roster looks like now.

That is what I thought too. They may have done well in the short off season resetting their roster. The couple of girls we know, are now second year players that did not move up to 14's with last year's teams. Both were solid contributers to their teams as 1st year players.

One of the other pitchers moved up from SoCal just after we did. I have only seen throw once in a bullpen session, but was VERY good as a 1st year player last January. I think the CAngels and AA's know this one.

[NapoleonD]

That is what I thought too. They may have done well in the short off season resetting their roster. The couple of girls we know, are now second year players that did not move up to 14's with last year's teams. Both were solid contributers to their teams as 1st year players.

I do not think anyone from their 12's team from last year moved to 14's. The 14U team the Grapettes have is a totally new team with new coaches and I believe they have not even completed their roster. They usually have an agressive team, but just can't stand the constant music being played from warm ups to in between every inning.

We go to Arena Softball often to throw inside. DD has taken a few lessons there. I have not actually played on their fields, but have watched. You play everything off the net. Nothing is foul. Pretty fast pace game though.

Just like soccer, football or lacrosse, seems as though anytime you bring an outside sport indoors, it becomes a total speed game. Seems like it would be a blast to softballs coming off nets and being played live, sorta like the arena football kick offs.