12u 00/01 Winter Watchlist by Louie UPDATED

[Iluvblue]

That is what I get for not staying up on things. IMO, that is incredible STUPID allowing a kid to switch teams AFTER a qualifier, but not the metro.

So... I have 2 14u teams. I qualify team number 1 at a NQ not the metro. Then I drop the stud pitcher off that team, to my organization's 2nd team in the same age and have that stud pitcher go dominate the metro, thus qualifying another team.

[noncrazynorcal]

ILB you've been around plenty long enough to know that ASA doesn't care how many teams you send to nationals as long as all their checks clear.

[CVShowcase]

Just for info 12's this past weekend great games great competition.

Here are some scores from pool games and bracket play
Nor Cal Valley stomperz 1 vs. Rocklin Hype 0 semi's
Nor Cal valley Stomperz 2 vs. Rocklin Hype 0 pool
Nor Cal valley Stomperz 1 vs. OBS Monarchs - rob 1 pool
OBS Monarchs - Rob 3 vs. KG Hitters 1 pool
OBS Monarchs - Rob 8 vs. OBS Monarchs - Cat 5 semi's
OBS Monarchs - Cat 3 vs. KG Hitters 2 pool

[JimineyCricket]

Well, one organization has posted it's 2013 12u rankings on their website. The Salinas Storm is hosting a 12u "invitational" friendly in a couple of weeks. Per their website: "Teams will be matched up according to the caliber of play." Looking at how they "matched up" the teams gives you a clear picture of how the Storm feel the different 12u teams' "caliber of play" rank out of the gate. Not a bad list - obviously leaves out teams that aren't playing in the event (e.g., Team California, OBS Monarchs, Foothill Gold, etc.), and you can't gripe about them putting themselves at the top - gotta respect their confidence! A big "thank you" to the Storm for putting on this event! Can't wait!

Now, for their list:
1. STORM-Jimenez
2. ROCKLIN HYPE
3. GRAPETTES-Kahwaty
4. LADY MAGIC
5. KG HITTERS-French
6. CA RAPIDS
7. VALLEY STOMPERS
8. GRAPETTES-Ervin

Then there've got a clear break leading to a second tier:

9. CA BREEZE-00
10. STORM-Kaiser
11. CA ACES
12. CC ATHLETICS-00
13. LTG LIONS
14. AASA-Richardson
15. CC ATHLETICS-01
16. KG HITTERS-01

Comments, anyone?

[Outta Here!]

I can't argue with the top 7 teams other than the order (Stompers just beat the Hype twice, etc.) Grapettes-Ervin probably belongs in your second tier but they needed an even 8 teams for the first two pools. Arguably, one or two other teams listed in that second tier could have been the 8th team. They did a pretty good job though.

[BeastMode]

crickets? Come on bro?

I like to make it clear that my listing on my website of our friendly we are hosting has nothing to do with rankings. I will never post my team #1. We just go out and try to compete with other teams who do the same.

I listed my team as team number 1 to identify what field we will be playing on during the friendly. There is no particular order on the list of the friendly....so lets make that clear to all you bucket heads.

Thanks
James Jimenez
Storm 2000

[Chango15]

In my opinion having watched these teams all last year while my daughter played. The Rapids belong in the 8th or second tier as their coaching is not anywhere near the other top teams -mark my word. Also the Magic is easily the top team here and should be playing 14u or playing in SoCal.

[JimineyCricket]

Thanks for the clarification, James. Didn't mean to read more into your website than you intended (although you have to admit the part about teams being scheduled according to their caliber of play makes mine an easy conclusion to jump to). And those of us that watch these teams know that your team certainly belongs in any discussion about who's number one, but the humility is refreshing. Can't wait for the games! Thank you again for putting this event together.

[JimineyCricket]

And Chango takes the early lead in the "Sour Grapes Sweepstakes - 2013" competition! Why should we "mark your words?" Do you have any specifics to back up your claim about the Rapids' coaching? Most of us that watched that team from the outside saw dramatic and sustained improvement from the Spring to the Fall. Did you see something different on the inside? As for the Lady Magic, shouldn't we wait for the team to get a couple tournaments under their belts before putting them on a pedastal all by themselves?

[zerotolerance]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Looks like all of these teams will be playing in the ASA Kickoff on March 2&3. How they place there and performance at that tourney should be the first gage for rankings. There was a lot of movement at the end of fall. If there are a couple of teams that consistently place 1st and easily beat all of these teams head-to-head, then they can (and should) play up to 14's or go to SoCal. That status needs to be earned, though and proven on the field, not based on someone's opinion here on the bucket. Let the the girls play and everyone enjoy getting the season off to a great start.