14U Team Rankings (Bracketologist) Updated July 8th Poll!

[Fan]

... Loyalty doesnt get you on one of their Gold teams if you don't have Gold level talent. And even that isnt a guarantee.

However, there is an illusion for the many non-gold ... parents that their DD's will one day be ... Gold players.

(4) teams in (1) division is ridiculous. I hope these teams aren't paying team loyalty fees to the organization just to use a name ... If you are paying Org. fees then its all about the $$$$.

So, what is the primary goal of these organizations? softball? Your DD best interest? What do you think?

[sofbal1234]

Should be nice to see him carry an 18 Gold roster of like 60 girls.

I thought they (and the batbusters) already do? Or at least it "looks" that way in the dugout!

easy tiger...
Worth FC roster is 18, which is pretty normal for gold.
with unofficials, officials, SAT's, injuries and illnesses, etc, they have averaged about 13-16 players on any given weekend this fall...

[scout team]

Another interesting poll Brackey. While I agree with the majority of teams on the list, no doubt the order will change several times over in the coming weeks and months. Hard to swallow FC 98 at 6. True, they lost a friendly or two this fall and then lost to CA98 in IE Tourney Championship, but they are a truly solid team and should still be at or close to the top. I would list them ahead of both Victory98 and CA98 as the strongest all around 98 team- right now. As you stated, Victory is very solid, but doesn't score much and CA98, while possibly the strongest hitting 98 team, has reportedly been nursing injuries all fall, so we don't yet know what their true team even looks like. JMO
I have no issue with the four FC teams, or 2 BB and CA teams. How many organizations had more than one team in 12U? Same three above, plus AA, Choppers, Breakers, PowereSurge, Gamers, etc. Stronger organizations attract strong players, especially as they get older. Whether it is the organizations, the coaching, the players, the opportunities to play in better showcases, etc., players in the "name brand" organizartions probably do have the opportunity for exposure to the better Division 1 programs. No guarantees or promises, but the odds favor them, all things being equal, over a player of like skill from a lesser known organization.

[CoachWithDenimShorts]

You have got to be kidding me!!!! Bracky, seriously put up the real poll now...
These people are believing you already....

Victory 98 vs. Sota? Lockman? McNee?

We're waiting for the real list Bracky, jokes over.

[TheCloser]

Here's some spin:

FC Sota is a really good team. They picked up some strong 98's. I think their the #2 team.

CA Lockman is another solid team but they did lose their top pitcher to 16U.

OCBB McNee, I heard they lost most of their key players from last year. Any thoughts?

CA 98 got stronger by picking up the Breakers '98 ace.

Victory 98 got stronger by picking up the clean-up hitter and SS from Punishers along with their ace pitcher.

FC Brashear lost arguably his best overall player to Sota so I'd say his team got a bit weaker. Additionally, the team was built on hitting and dominant pitching in 12U. In 14U and above, speed and defense will play a bigger factor as the game gets more offensive as a whole.

[Southerncali]

Pretty good Bracket. FC Sota I have known since his time with Team Anderson. Always got talent and recruits well. Got the pleasure to watch FC Brashear play this past weekend in Beaumont, CA they did well wining it all in a 16U tournament but it was funny the two youngest teams there Brashear and OC Elite Bolin was the 2 finalist. That Elite team had a really good pitcher and their 2-5 hitters were pretty good also. Got to watch them for a couple of games also. But that Brashear team was ready and rested. Great last game even though it was cold.

[CoachWithDenimShorts]

Here's some spin:

FC Sota is a really good team. They picked up some strong 98's. I think their the #2 team.

CA Lockman is another solid team but they did lose their top pitcher to 16U.

OCBB McNee, I heard they lost most of their key players from last year. Any thoughts?

CA 98 got stronger by picking up the Breakers '98 ace.

Victory 98 got stronger by picking up the clean-up hitter and SS from Punishers along with their ace pitcher.

FC Brashear lost arguably his best overall player to Sota so I'd say his team got a bit weaker. Additionally, the team was built on hitting and dominant pitching in 12U. In 14U and above, speed and defense will play a bigger factor as the game gets more offensive as a whole.

My main issue is with the Lockman and Sota teams. These guys lost players but not enough to change their team success! Maybe Lockman because he lost his pitcher, but you know he's going to be viable. #7, below CA98 is a bit low, don't you agree? Sota, who is hands down the best team probably got better over the Summer, by adding Imoto's best player and Ybarra's 2 best player from last year AND Brashear's pitcher? McNee will be a question mark, but I just don't see how first year pitching is going to hold down the bats... Especially a team like Victory whose pitching was suspect last year. These 3 mentioned teams all did well at Premier last year (top 5) with probably 80% 97 rosters, what gives?

And don't forget in the Summer, while the batters move up to 40 ft again, so do the pitchers!!! So as much as you think the distance will effect the batter's timing, it will also effect the older girls' pitching speed and those girls who played all year around are going to see more speed then they've seen all year- at least from the good teams. It is what it is.

Poll must be a little biased to some of the 98 teams at the top, and there's nothing wrong with that. Homers got a lot to learn

Just my opinion though, I could be wrong.

[TheCloser]

Agree, sorry, Sota should be the #1 team.

[ontheblack]

I have seen most of these teams and the 1st year 14s are not as good as the 2nd year 14s in this poll. IMO you have let your bias against those teams playing up color your judgment here. I also disagree with your premise that the 98s will have an advantage over the 97s after HS. If Stith had dropped back to 40' right after HS and and not played so much at 43' he would have rolled thru Premier. Premier will not be won by a 98.

McNee reloaded with sticks, gloves and pitching. They hit the crap out of the ball and their defense is excellent.

[12UBucketDad]

Here's some spin:

FC Sota is a really good team. They picked up some strong 98's. I think their the #2 team.
I would put them # 1 as they picked up enough to keep things goings. Gd Coach and they seem to have no drama which is hard to do.

CA Lockman is another solid team but they did lose their top pitcher to 16U.
Not sure as he lost his best pitcher so this one will be tough to get where he was the last couple of years. He recruits all the time so look for him to grab a couple to get him where he needs to be.

OCBB McNee, I heard they lost most of their key players from last year. Any thoughts?
They lost too many players as well as the head coach, I hear they all ready have drama. From what I hear the ones that they picked up are not the same caliber of players or coaches

CA 98 got stronger by picking up the Breakers '98 ace.
The pick up should help a lot but not to the level of Lockman or Sota

Victory 98 got stronger by picking up the clean-up hitter and SS from Punishers along with their ace pitcher.
I have watched them play and they will be very tough again. He will give the older teams a run for the money every time.

FC Brashear lost arguably his best overall player to Sota so I'd say his team got a bit weaker. Additionally, the team was built on hitting and dominant pitching in 12U. In 14U and above, speed and defense will play a bigger factor as the game gets more offensive as a whole.

FC Brashear -This guy will have his team ready and be a threat come Nationals or PGF. If the older teams overlook this team they will be in trouble early.