UPDATED! 12u Top Team Ranking – Pre ASA Nationals Poll!

[artomatic]

please...

you guys (and gals) are killing me...

alot of:


using the chewbacca defense


http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chewbacca+defense

[Skarp]

Every time I see this thread I start humming unbidden Devo's "Working in a Coal Mine."

Lord
I am sooo tired.
How loooong can this go on?

[CAdreamin]

Long time reader, here, first time to come out of my shell. Comets16, aka Chris Parker, aka CA Killa, most of this is for your edification. You have made so many mind-boggling comments on here I am not certain where to start. First, I dont know you personally, but am familiar with your team. This is not necessarily meant to be a personal attack against you, but you really need to understand true priorities in life. You, my brother, are taking this waaayyy beyond overboard. You mentioned that on long weekends just call in sick to work and recuperate to get ready for another weekend of softball. I'm not sure if that is the right example to be setting, everyone must be held accountable for their actions and responsibilities.

You then go on to make sarcastic remarks about Nationals 2010 and how that must be an every other year thing for most 96 teams. By your own admission, you stated that last year when you went about 1/2 the team was made up of older players. To me the definition of a 96 team is one that is age pure. By the way, while we are on that subject, what happened to the other 8 girls from your 2007 that are no longer part of your plans. Also, I am just curious as to who initiated the merger dialogue between you and the Frost Falcons? I mean you only had 6 players at the time, so who needed who more?

In addition, you have mentioned how in 2007 all your girls heard about was how good we (i.e. the CA teams) were. Let's see, if my math is right, your girls would have been 10 or 11. My question is how or where did they hear about us being so good. I mean surely a 10 or 11 year old is not surfing HB day and night looking for the latest gossip. The truth is, they either heard about us from their parents/coaches, or perhaps when you reference "the girls", what you really mean is you and your buddies. That is a major difference between CA and the rest of the softball world, in my experience, there is not a great deal of time spent talking about or worrying about all the other teams out there. Instead, we focus on our own team with the goal of excelling at our own individual performances and making other teams beat us.

Now for a little love, in MHO i believe you guys should be the favorites this summer. I mean you already had a great team in the Comets, and the Falcons are a really strong team as well. So if in fact, you have taken the best of the best from both teams, then I would think you are the favorites. You guys are the ones with targets on your backs. Also, how about a little reciprocity. You have trolled our boards for months now digging for info on all of our teams. Why dont you share a little information about your team with all of us in the spirit of friendly and fair competition? While, we are on that subject, what info can you provide us about some of the other top teams? What about Indiana Thunder...they won the thing in 2007 with an average team but a stud athlete in their pitcher. Also, what about the 96 Diamonds, the team that beat you guys pretty handily. I remember them looking really tough. Also, from your neck of the woods, what about GA Impact...they finished 3rd and were solid. I only ask about these teams not because I really care, see comments above, but because I know how much you really get into all of this softball crap and I thought it would give you something to do the next time you call in sick to work.

Your softball brother,

Johnny Surfside

[SSdad]

A.D.D kicked in during the 2nd paragraph....but at least you used paragraphs

[CAdreamin]

Guilty as charged. I apologize but needed to vent. Just double up on your ADD meds in the morning...thats what i do

[INDIANWARRIOR]

So, now that we know there are quite a few very good pitchers out there, are there some teams that have more than one top 10 pitcher rostered ? I can think of one or two that might.

Moving on to catchers. Where are all the good catchers in 12U? I haven't seen many that stand out, what have all of you seen so far? Anyone that merits a mention?

What about infield or outfield? Anyone noteworthy you have seen?

I'll start it... CA Rebels have a good catcher, Jynx has a great third baseman #99...

What about the '97s out there, any young top talent worth a mention?

NO FEAR 96 HAS A GREAT CATCHER #55 WHO ALSO IS 3RD BASE MOVED UP , AND IS A 97 AND HAS PRACTICED AND CAUGHT FOR A 16U TEAM..

[INDIANWARRIOR]

Here is my updated poll after the TCS Huntington Beach Classic – I will ask the pollsters and coaches to turn their polls in and will come out with a new 12u poll by the end of the week.

Sorry for dropping teams that did not play down in the poll….. I am confident you will make it up when its your turn to play!

12u Poll Jan 2009

1. Firecrackers -

2. CA Rebels – Rebel parents spent all Saturday and Sunday talking about not playing in the finals because it was to late 8pm on a school night with mid-terms for some players. Once this talk started I knew they would not make it out of the Semi’s. I don’t read to much into the lost to AA Palomino 97 except that the lost was with the staff ace. What I did like is the way they continued to battle back, and even in the last inning continued to play hard and mount a late rally. This shows me that they “will not go quietly into the night at State and Nationals” – which is the ultimate mark of a champion.


3. Corona Angels Knighten – A very important win, their place as one of the top teams was on the line.. as they did not make a final or win a tourney in the fall. They play the best defense day in and day out, and the short game will be a weapon come Nationals. However, this team is not yet at the level I expected them to perform at – remember they did not face one top ten team in the tournament so let’s wait until Surf City.

4. San Diego Power Surge – A lot of drama around this team since they cut three players at the end of fall. It seems they traded in some bats for another pitcher and better defensive players… this could be a smart move or it could end up destroying team chemistry! If they added another hard throwing pitcher, it will have zero impact at Nationals!

5. O.C. Batbusters Marquez – Personally my favorite team to watch… a lot like a box of chocolate – you never know what your going to get. Good coaching and talented players, but way to much focus on offensive…..

6. So Cal Jynx –


7. O.C. Wildcats 96 – Showed some heart in battling back against Corona Xpress, bases loaded two outs. Like the Rebels that is a mark of a good team. So I don’t drop them out of the top team list. Also picked up a very good pitcher.

8. OC Batbusters – Snow 97
9. Corona Angels Lockman (mostly 97)


10. Valley Tribe 96/97 – As expected they made the semi-finals, and I was confident that they would beat the Rebels/Batbusters winner (turned into AA/Batbusters winner). Why? When you don’t depend on a pitcher to strike everyone else out, you learn to play defense. Team is coached very well and plays together.

11. Cal Thunder
12. Irving Sting
13. Raiders

14. AA Palomino 97 – I’m impressed with the pitching, the defense and the coaching. This is a good team that is benefiting from being placed in the hardest pool every tournament. The 1997’s have their own style… look forward to seeing team grow.

15. BombSquad 96 – New pitcher!
15. Corona Xpress - Dangerous team that plays much better in elimination then pool play. Just lack depth to be a top 12 team.

17. Team Smith 96 –
17. OC Batburster – Ray
17. No Fear 96
17. Nemesis 96

21. So Cal Crunch
22. Minor Gold 97 - another 1997 coming out to play!

WHY SHOULD A TEAM BE DROPPED IN THE POLL IF THEY DIDN'T PLAY IN THE TOURNAMENT, AND WHY SHOULD A TEAM WASTE TIME AND MONEY IF THEY ARE ALREADY QUALIFIED. WHY PUNISH THE TEAM

[upurbox]

So, now that we know there are quite a few very good pitchers out there, are there some teams that have more than one top 10 pitcher rostered ? I can think of one or two that might.

Moving on to catchers. Where are all the good catchers in 12U? I haven't seen many that stand out, what have all of you seen so far? Anyone that merits a mention?

What about infield or outfield? Anyone noteworthy you have seen?

I'll start it... CA Rebels have a good catcher, Jynx has a great third baseman #99...

What about the '97s out there, any young top talent worth a mention?

NO FEAR 96 HAS A GREAT CATCHER #55 WHO ALSO IS 3RD BASE MOVED UP , AND IS A 97 AND HAS PRACTICED AND CAUGHT FOR A 16U TEAM..

She used to be with Rampage correct.....

[JustWondering]

When we played No Fear the catcher was #22. I only remember that because I remember #55 from the Rampage. Although it was just a friendly, so I don't know if she is the starting catcher or was just getting work.

[Comets16]

Long time reader, here, first time to come out of my shell. Comets16, aka Chris Parker, aka CA Killa, most of this is for your edification. You have made so many mind-boggling comments on here I am not certain where to start. First, I don’t know you personally, but am familiar with your team. This is not necessarily meant to be a personal attack against you, but you really need to understand true priorities in life. You, my brother, are taking this waaayyy beyond overboard. You mentioned that on long weekends just call in sick to work and recuperate to get ready for another weekend of softball. I'm not sure if that is the right example to be setting, everyone must be held accountable for their actions and responsibilities.

"It is called working at the same place for over 10 years and having plenty of vacation, comp days etc, which I have reserve the right to use as I see fit. Family vacations for my family usually involve softball"

You then go on to make sarcastic remarks about Nationals 2010 and how that must be an every other year thing for most 96 teams. By your own admission, you stated that last year when you went about 1/2 the team was made up of older players. To me the definition of a 96 team is one that is age pure.
"True about the 96, I am just a dad on the team, had no control over 12U vs. 96 or whatever we called ourselves, etc"

By the way, while we are on that subject, what happened to the other 8 girls from your 2007 that are no longer part of your plans?
"That would mean we took 14 to 2007 Nationals which doesn't sound right. Whatever the number actually is, those players no longer are with our team as some were either 97's or player adds, prior to qualification for Nationals, or 3 pick ups after qualifying and had their own team, in 2007 & 2008"

Also, I am just curious as to who initiated the merger dialogue between you and the Frost Falcons?
"??? I am sure one of the coaches could tell you, may have been me? I sure was glad when I heard it. We have played the Falcons more than anyone since 10U and lost to them as much as we beat them. There was an equal respect between teams for their accomplishments, girls from each team were friends, faced each other allot in championship games. You knew their players, parents, hated to play them, and loved to beat them"

I mean you only had 6 players at the time, so who needed who more?
"Talent isn't as rich in the south as California and it is much more spread out in our two states. I knew we wouldn't be as strong 2009 and neither would they, as we would both be short of 3 or so quality players. But I have no ego; I know what talent was out there available for our team and what they had to offer was so much more, so I say we needed them the most, LOL"


In addition, you have mentioned how in 2007 all your girls heard about was how good we (i.e. the CA teams) were. Let's see, if my math is right, your girls would have been 10 or 11. My question is how or where they heard about us being so good. I mean surely a 10 or 11 year old is not surfing HB day and night looking for the latest gossip. The truth is, they either heard about us from their parents/coaches, or perhaps when you reference "the girls", what you really mean is you and your buddies.
"True, it was motivation used for them many times to work extremely hard that year and it paid off with a finish 5th at Nationals in 2007. They worked their butts off so many hours, coaches worked so hard and parents sacrificed tons. I actually in 2007 started a "Who has qualified for 10U Nationals. It had teams and website link. I read hours and hours of who won what, and who beat who, run differential, who had qualified, pitches California teams were throwing, and how hard they were throwing and tried picking up pieces here and there of what I could to help the team a little if I could. Our coaches, players or parents had never seen a California team. We heard of plenty about their team speed, how much they played the small game, how dominating the pitchers were. All we could do is "sell" to a bunch of 10 & 11 yr olds what we "thought" could help them succeed when the time came." In 2008 for the 95's that wasn't there we could tell them of what we saw in 2007, and from what we heard in 2007 and it was all true. Once again it was used as motivation.

That is a major difference between CA and the rest of the softball world, in my experience, there is not a great deal of time spent talking about or worrying about all the other teams out there. Instead, we focus on our own team with the goal of excelling at our own individual performances and making other teams beat us.
"Oh the worrying and "mouth running" is done on my part alone. Many times coach, parents, & organization wish I would shut the heck up, most if not all of the time. I wish it wouldn't reflect on all of them and but I am not too naive to know it does anyway. I have been told more than once "don't let your mouth, overload your arse" by my mother and others. No fear, it seems it always does. We (I do at least) love having a target on "our" "their" back. I keep talking crap and they keep working harder and prove they are up to the challenge and it keeps paying off. If we lose we learn from it, and if we win we hope we taught you a thing or two. The way I see it is we "win if we lose, and win if we win. We don't lose too often and I am the worse loser of all. I pout about it for days because I know the team’s potential. If they don't play to their potential it just stinks."

Now for a little love, in MHO I believe you guys should be the favorites this summer.
"Now you are making me blush, but thanks for the compliment. For our team to get any love is a tribute to the team and coaches."


I mean you already had a great team in the Comets, and the Falcons are a really strong team as well. So if in fact, you have taken the best of the best from both teams, then I would think you are the favorites.

You guys are the ones with targets on your backs.
"I love it. Get's the old blood pumping. Speaking of backs, I have a crooked back and the easiest guy to spot at the park each weekend".

Also, how about a little reciprocity. You have trolled our boards for months now digging for info on all of our teams. Why don’t you share a little information about your team with all of us in the spirit of friendly and fair competition?
"Hence, maybe why I hang out on the boards too much. Here in the south (maybe other places) 7th & 8th graders play middle school/Jr high softball from late Jan to Middle April. During that time many can't participate in organized sports. About half of our team plays this Jr high softball in the spring and half in the fall due to geographical location. This Jr high ball is the worse!!! Usually more than half of the Jr high team has never played a travel game in their life. Their throwing is awful, hitting is non existent. Try your DD playing against the nations best and then play this....Some schools are better than others but nowhere near the level we are accustomed too in travel. Why play it then? Believe me I had more than one fight with my wife about it. It is a way for her to show my DD talents t her school mates, teachers, peers, etc. Simply put I let her play it because she wants to (This is her first year, as she is a 7th grader). She has never got to play ball with any of her school mates. If I make her play "travel, miss the Jr high ball, then I am making her do something and then the whole "living through your dd, blah, blah kicks in. We also have many multi sport athletes and Jr basketball is just wrapping up. The team is practicing when it can, but not at full force for every practice. Everyone is working hard with private instructors and getting back into the swing of things around the cold weather."



While, we are on that subject, what info can you provide us about some of the other top teams? What about Indiana Thunder...they won the thing in 2007 with an average team but a stud athlete in their pitcher.
"They liked disappeared after Nationals. We went to Indianapolis last spring and they didn't come. They played NSA World Series at the end of 2008 and did ok. Honestly I do not know, but if we won Nationals think I talk a lot for a 5th & 17th at Nationals LMAO"...


Also, what about the 96 Diamonds, the team that beat you guys pretty handily. I remember them looking really tough.
"Coach dropped into our guestbook a month ago and wished our team well and myself after having surgery. I don't get the HB Tx message boards. This team people hasn't even heard of and they finished 2nd at Nationals for christ sakes. In all of the 2008/2009 ranking never saw them ranked. Their team was very good in 2007, but they get no long even today on TX 12U Rankings???? Not sure if it is a Dallas, South Tx, North Texas thing or what. If I was betting man, I bet they show some of these ranked teams a thing or two come Nationals"


Also, from your neck of the woods, what about GA Impact...they finished 3rd and were solid. I only ask about these teams not because I really care, see comments above, but because I know how much you really get into all of this softball crap and I thought it would give you something to do the next time you call in sick to work.
"Heck why wait till I call into work, while not do it at work.lol Georgia Impact Red-Crawford merged with Impact Black in 2008. They didn't make much of a noise then in 2008 as Ga '95 teams were tough. As far as first year 12's they were top dog in 2008. Then the Fall 2008 rolled around and team lost "let go" ace pitcher, then next thing you know they are getting "dissed" on the Georgia boards and ranked further down for Ga teams. A 97 team (Imapct 97-Buster 3rd at 2008 10U Nationals) and Ga Gals beat up some of the better teams this fall and are ranked pretty high in state and many think are the favorites for the Spring. I still put Impact Red- Crawford at the top. He has talent and is a very good coach, and has a love and passion that rivals mine for the game...There are a few Alabama & Tennessee teams that will attempt to also go to Nationals, but aren't IMHO committed or as talented to go deep come Nationals. They have some god players, but top to bottom have many weakness.

Your softball brother,

Johnny Surfside

Thanks,
Chris