Where is No Cal

[heybucket]

We have the top 10 teams from So Cal, Indiana and North Texas. But nothing from No Cal, South Texas, Oklahoma or Georgia. Any members out there that can help us out.

[jofus]

You know...I've never even been to California, or anywhere west of Colorado for that matter, but it looks like the softball opportunites are so much better there than about anywhere else that I almost wish we lived there

[ssarge]

What age?

[heybucket]

Any age check the top 10 teams. Thanks

[2smoove]

Here's a shot at the Gold level (Only the Top 2 are in order):

Sting (Perales)
Sorcerers
R&R Gold
Grapettes
Lady Sharks (Barrera)
Strike Zone (Ford)
Hollister Heat
Valley Storm
NC Rage


I only went with 9 because it gets cloudy after that. The main reason for that is the demise of Sorci's Strikkers and the West Bay Nuggets. Most but not all of the girls from those clubs landed with Sting and Sorcerers. As a result, they are extremely strong. Whichever club(s)picked up the balance of the girls may sneak up on the rest of Nor Cal.

I would also watch for second club teams like the Sting (Fano) and Lady Sharks (Sawyer). They have coaching staffs that know the game and get the best out of whichever players that they have.

[luv2catch]

2008 Top Ten Nor Cal Gold Teams

Sorcerer-Phil
Sting-Perales
Running Rebels Gold
Grapettes
Shockers
AASA Gold
Strike Zone
Salinas Wildcats
Sorcerer-Pete
Sting-Fano

Only the first two are in order!But both organizations have two teams in top ten- The pitching on Pete's Sorcerer team will improve the teams chances to qualify for Nat's.

[ssarge]

Luv2catch:

Pretty good list. Certainly including all 5 teams which qualified for Gold Nationals last year - 2 were omitted from the previous post - is a good start. (Obviously there were 6, but Strikkers Sorci have disbanded).


That said, it will be impossible to really answer this until the summer rosters are set. Which college players return - or are recruited - is going to be a significant factor. And I suspect that even coaches who have been reluctant to roster these players in the past will consider doing so this summer. The change from sectors to territories, the elimination of returning berths from last year's national tournament (think Firecrackers Batbusters, Crusiers and Valley Breeze back into the qualifiers), the overlap of dates in qualifying tournaments outside the territory (obviously by design), and the ridiculously disproportionate number of western territory berths based solely on the number of registered teams (much less on QUALITY of teams which makes it far MORE disproportionate) are factors conspiring to make qualification out of the west this year VERY dicey. I haven't seen the date for it yet, but if the Region 13 (Arizona / Colorado) qualifier is AFTER one (or both) of the western territory qualifiers, that would be the final ASA slap towards California. It will be a real challenge for any of the NorCal teams to qualify this year, though undoubtably, some will meet that challenge. Suspect it WON'T again be as many as 6, though. And of course, everyone wants to qualify in the regional or Stockton territory, because qualifying in Seattle (Region 15) eliminates "protection" in the first two rounds of Nationals against Region 14 teams.


It will be interesting to see how talent (considerable) is distributed between the two Sting teams. It will be interesting to see R&R return to ASA championship play, if in fact that happens (as rumored). LOT of talent on that team. Grapettes can hit with anybody and had a very good fall. Phil and Pete both have VERY strong rosters.


Parenthetical Note: All 5 of the programs which put teams into Gold Nationals last year are playing in the Shockers Round Robin in Alameda next weekend. Plus Haze, USA Elite, and Sorcerer Pete. Strong field for a January Round-Robin. These teams will be mostly coasting, playing young players and keeping a lot under their vest. Not much to be proven in January. Plus Showcase rules. But still should be a pretty solid level of play.

Regards,

Scott

[heybucket]

Thank you for the top 10. But can you guys put together 10 teams out of these 2 lists. There is 14 or 15 teams in these 2 lists thanks. what about the other ages 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u, 18u. heybucket

[DBLUE]

2008 Pre-Season Rankings

Don't know enough about the 12u age group. Suggestions or comments would help THE GURU out!

14U

1. Lady Sharks - Hands down the favorite in Nor-Cal, a year older, with good coaching!
2. Strikkers - Good pickups to go along with team from fall, also good coaching!
3. Sorcerers - Will have another good team, good athletes, pitching is the question!
4. Grapettes - Need some help, but if they get a few bats, should be dangerous!
5. Sting - Need alot of help to go along with some key players, not sure about them!
6. Strikezone - Very good athletes, pitching questionable, but this team could be sleeper!
7. Tornadoes - Watch out for this team!
8. There's alot of teams that would make the final cut, but too many to choose from (suggestions, and why)

16U

The most balanced of the age groups!! This group will be fun to watch this year!

1. Grapettes(Bindii)- Great athletes, good pitching good pickups, and good coaching!
2. Sorcerers - Nice merge with AA, will help this team out alot, good pitching!
3. Grapettes(Reid) - Some say better than Bindis, pretty close, will see on the field!
4. Strikezone - Struggled last year, Much improved, with some key pickups!
5. Sting - Young team with good talent, pitching will be the question!!
6. Breeze - Always great team, might move up quick. Good coaching!
7. Strikkers - Good athletes, pitching needs to improve from fall! Good coaching!!
8. Mize Diamonds - Old team, good athletes, could be the sleeper of this group!!
9. Flames - Seem to put out good team every year! Same ole story!
10.Heat - Heard they had a great group of athletes, going off hear say!

I'm sure I missed some good teams out there, but with the help of many coaches, this is what THE GURU came up with! Suggestions are welcomed !

[heybucket]

Thank you guys this is great. heybucket