Comets16 wrote:I am confused at how a Firecrackers team that finished 49th at 2008 Nationals is being considered in the poll and many here as the best 12U in CA?
Our team (Comets) have seen (and beat them) Corona Angels in 2007 & seen them again in 2008, in which they finished a lot higher at this years Nationals than the Firecrackers..
We also seen, played them twice and beat them in 2007 Nationals, the California Rebels. With "red" pitching and good hitters, very good catcher, and sassy coach, I would put both the teams above Firecrackers..
So what am I missing? Has the Angel & Rebel loss some players, pitching not progressed as well as the Firecrackers?
I for one hope the top CA teams will be at the H.O.F Qualifier in 2009!
Firecrackers dropped some players (i.e. asked them to leave, politely I hear and others left for whatever reasons they had) and picked up several impact players, big hitters and pitchers. I watched them play at the HOF Qualifyer and their weakness is defense, particularly outfield. But when you can hit the ball as well as they do, an error or two hasn't made much difference at this point in the game and they should only get better as their new team gels.
CA'96 this past year attracted some good, solid players that competed at Nationals but who were not on the 10U team in 2007 - these kids were good adds, but some came just before States and one came for Nationals. This Winter they kept 11 core returners from Nationals and added two more solid players, one from Firecrackers and one from the Corona Angels '95 team, Nationals Champs. Although they are not the biggest team, they have the ability to hit 1 through 13 and are solid. They have main 3 pitchers (two who returned from 10U and the one from Victory USA 10U you might have seen) who rotate and share mound time just about equally plus two additional pitchers who step up when called upon. Yes, your team beat them 5-3 I think in a well-played game from both teams; but again, the team you played in 10U was not the same team you saw this past year when they finished much higher. Confidence has made much of the difference on this team, after playing OC Impact (Nationals Finalist) at States in an extrememly well-played game, (2-0 loss), this team turned it on when nobody thought they had a chance at all and they have kept the momentum moving forward..
PowerSurge also went out quickly at Nationals, but they are a VERY solid team all the way through; they too picked up several impact players and are strong. Jynx as well just needs another strong pitcher and they will have the ability to go the distance, they have strong defense, hitters and a top pitcher.
CA Rebels "Red" last year was fresh out of rec when they went to Nationals. This team is solid all the way through and with the mound experience gained over the course of 2008, they are stronger and with the return of their catcher ready to take on any 12U team from anywhere and give a great game.
I think what you have to remember with the California teams, Comet, is we have such a large pool of talent to select from you cannot really judge a team until they are looking you in the eye, on the dirt, at that moment. What you see at one tournament one year cannot be assumed will be seen again the following year, even the following two months especially after Nats. Who knows who will make a move in December/January or even April/May before States that will make all the difference in a team becoming a Nationals contender, or give a good team the edge needed to sneak up on the "big dogs" and take them by surprise leaving everyone to wonder "What the heck happened?!"
