Nor - Cal 12U Spring Summer Rankings

[linedrivelouie]

Thanks for providing something to talk about. I think the rankings should be a snapshot in a moment in time, so teams can be added or dropped based on a performance after the latest tourney. If #1 loses to #2, #2 gets to be #1 until they play again.

So, no arrows, darts, or anything negative intended with my comments. Thanks for putting together a list. Won't use lots of comments because you already provided.

1. RR Gold Miller
2. Mizuno Garcia
3. CC Dirts Dogs - beat Sting at PGF
4. Grapettes Norwood
5. KG Hitters - as said, not a true 00 team; enough 99s to make them compete very well
6. Team Xtreme - lost a couple but should still match up well against those rated lower
7. SJ Sting
8. USA Elite - beating Heat 99 in champ game is a good enough reason to go ahead
9. Heat LaGabed
10. Mizuno Stone
11. Grapettes Kappmeyer
12. MSC Tigers - Would like to see MSC Tigers enter tourneys with some of these teams so we can see them match up. USA Elite did that and had a great showing.

Like has been said, nothing against any teams or any players listed or not listed. Just a ranking of teams playing against each other.

I too used to like the moment in time way all tho I have found over the years with all of the options teams now have for tourneys it is very hard to get the same teams together to play week in week out. I also think any team can get lucky and win a big name here and there which could give them a bump that is not deserved. I like your lest and could agree as well with most my only question would be, Team Extreme 6 Mizuno Stone 10? with a moment in time snap shot Mizuno Stone beat Extreme pretty good in the All American tourney 2 weeks ago and that was before they lost the catcher and #2 pitcher. I would also like to see both Grapes teams and MSC play in a few other tourneys to see more teams but it is early and I am sure that will come.

Fresno Force Just around the corner can't wait!!!

[linedrivelouie]

Does Xtreme have any healthy pitchers left? This is not a request for gossip about player parents parting ways with certain coaches, because we still see and talk with everyone out at the tournaments. I am only questioning them holding onto a high ranking with the pitching situation.

That was my biggest reason for the drop in rankings from me. From what I gather the #1 with the broken hand will be back soon if not already. The number 3 just has not seen enough mound time yet. I have always thought this team was comparable to Heat LaGabed and was getting to high of a ranking to start tho. Not only was the #2 Pitcher and Catcher Solid in the field they added a lot with to the batting line up as well. Right now there are just not enough quality players on the move with out those losses hurting them.

[Tenshun]

Thanks for providing something to talk about. I think the rankings should be a snapshot in a moment in time, so teams can be added or dropped based on a performance after the latest tourney. If #1 loses to #2, #2 gets to be #1 until they play again.

I think it makes the most sense to look at the overall body of work and not just taking a snapshot to do the rankings. If the # 20 ranked team catches a few lucky breaks and beats the #1 ranked team, does that mean they should move up to #1? I don’t think so.

While head to head matchups of top teams are fun to watch, I don’t necessarily need to see them to move a team up in the rankings or to determine who I think is the better team. I think it’s more important to look at “how” a team wins than it is to just count how many wins a team has. A win that comes from another team’s errors or mistakes, isn’t nearly as impressive as just flat out beating a team with well executed plays. A win that comes on the back of 1 or 2 players isn’t as impressive as a team that operates like a well-oiled machine. A win over an easier team means less than a close game with a top team.

A team can still be ranked even if they play up. They just have to be ranked subjectively on how they look when playing up and combining that with how they’ve faired when playing in their own age group.

Rankings are more art than science. But since this your ranking and not mine, feel free to be as artistic as you want.

[99NorCal]

Thanks for providing something to talk about. I think the rankings should be a snapshot in a moment in time, so teams can be added or dropped based on a performance after the latest tourney. If #1 loses to #2, #2 gets to be #1 until they play again.

I think it makes the most sense to look at the overall body of work and not just taking a snapshot to do the rankings. If the # 20 ranked team catches a few lucky breaks and beats the #1 ranked team, does that mean they should move up to #1? I don’t think so.

While head to head matchups of top teams are fun to watch, I don’t necessarily need to see them to move a team up in the rankings or to determine who I think is the better team. I think it’s more important to look at “how” a team wins than it is to just count how many wins a team has. A win that comes from another team’s errors or mistakes, isn’t nearly as impressive as just flat out beating a team with well executed plays. A win that comes on the back of 1 or 2 players isn’t as impressive as a team that operates like a well-oiled machine. A win over an easier team means less than a close game with a top team.

A team can still be ranked even if they play up. They just have to be ranked subjectively on how they look when playing up and combining that with how they’ve faired when playing in their own age group.

Rankings are more art than science. But since this your ranking and not mine, feel free to be as artistic as you want.

Agreed. Number 2 beats 1, they go to 1. Number 20 beats 1, they move up some but not all the way, just like 1 won't drop all the way down. I'm suggesting more college football poll like but without all the BCS problems at the end!

[Bleacher bug]

Please people do some research before your fingers get away from you. Uggg!!!!

Let's be a little more clear on the KG Tracey 00 team. This is a solid 00 team with only 2 99's. With 11 on the roster it would be hard to even call them a split team. Unless those 2 99's cover over 50 percent of the infield and bat 3 times each in the line up I would find it hard to make a comment that they have enough 99's to make them compete each weekend. Or make comments like No way they are an 00 team. Credit is due to those young girls.

The research is easy if you pull the team up on their website the girls grad years are listed. 9 2018 and 2 2017, If you click on the girls name their birth year comes up in their little bio.

http://www.kghitters-softball.com

[99NorCal]

Please people do some research before your fingers get away from you. Uggg!!!!

Let's be a little more clear on the KG Tracey 00 team.

Sorry, must have been spending my time researching how to spell Tracy instead. C'mon, call-outs like yours are what's wrong with the Bucket. Couldn't you just provide the information without being snarky?

00, 99, half and half or just a couple 99, KG Hitters Tracy deserves their spot in the ranking where they are as the strong team that they've shown.

[Iluvblue]

Who cares how many 99 or 00 they have... they are 12u or they are 14u. The division of older and younger players means nothing.

People always ask me about years, and I honestly could not tell you anything about them. meaning, I have a 12u team, but unless I stop to think about birth years, it means nothing to me.

I just know we we play in xx division, I never cared for this focus on the year of the team. We have 12 u, 14u, 16u, and Gold... thats all.

Again, for me, it is just an excuse for when a team gets beat, people will say, "Yeah, but we are almost all XX birth years." And? Who cares, are you playing 12u? Then you are 12u.

I dont remember hearing anyone at 16u saying.. "Yeah, but our team is all 12u eligible, so that game was pretty good."

[Sbstuby]

Blue. Amazing , nobody is making excuses for anything.

[Iluvblue]

IM not sure what is so amazing? My words were not directed at anyone in particular. I opened up with comments about that specific team.

Then continue on and I said when A TEAM... not your team, or that team. So dont take things so personal.

One thing I RARELY do is talk specifically about a team. I speak in generalities.

[99NorCal]

I like your lest and could agree as well with most my only question would be, Team Extreme 6 Mizuno Stone 10? with a moment in time snap shot Mizuno Stone beat Extreme pretty good in the All American tourney 2 weeks ago and that was before they lost the catcher and #2 pitcher.

Fresno Force Just around the corner can't wait!!!

Good point. I could have catapulted Mizuno Stone over Xtreme with their win, but I factored in that the win wasn't against their #1 pitcher, who was injured. Then based on another weekend's worth of results, Xtreme moved down 3 spots based on the loss to Mizuno Stone and losing a couple players. But Mizuno Stone stayed because of Team USA and Heat LaGabed finishing higher in the ASA tourney with their 1-2 finish respectively.

Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective with your rankings. The more knowlegeable and objective rankers we have, the better. We'll see similarities even if we're not in total agreement. Kind of like all the other ranking systems out there - USA Today, ESPN Coaches, etc. There's room for more than one!

Agreed - Fresno Force will be a good gauge of the local talent. Good luck to all as they prepare and make the journey!