PitchersDad99 wrote:My DD's 99's team went to SoCal quite a bit in Fall and played 16's. They did very well with a winning percentage 0f around .700. And they were able to do that even though the brilliant softball minds from this forum who create rankings did not have them listed. And yes, they played in the better events. They did play 14's once because Surf City automatically bracketed them in the 14's.
KG Hitters right now is the very team you describe. They took on the teams from SoCal and won. That means we have some very talented kids who can handle any competition.
In my opinion it is not the studs that we in NorCal are lacking, but it is the complimentary players that are not up to speed. Because SoCal has such a huge population to draw from, they have a plethora of girls who are B+ to A- skill wise. Having that kind of 5 through 9 and bench players is truly the difference. Any team with studs 1 through 9 and bench is going to be an incredible nightmare for any coach. The parents would tear that kind of team apart in a matter of a couple of months. A spring team can be that type of team because everyone knows it is just for the spring and then back to the regular team, but I bet there is still some grumblings in the stands, jmho. The best teams that I saw in SoCal had a few really good players and the rest were good, i.e. no holes in the lineup. I did not see any teams that had mashers 1-9, but they did have consistent speed throughout the lineup, which we in NorCal are lacking.
I just want to clarify a few things., not intending to bash or argue by any stretch.
first and foremost I know you have a good pulse on nor call 99's. Need to keep stats realistic though. Maybe I am missing some data?
1. The Breeze fall .700 winning percentage was NOT against so cal teams for sure. I'm really not sure where that around .700 number comes from. (Google: Breeze 14U 2013 gamechanger fall). I count your record as 2-4-3 or .200 winning percentage vs so cal teams at best in the fall. 14-7-3 overall record for fall per gamechanger, or a little better thean .500 vs all teams played (.583). Maybe a 5-0 trny is missing from Nor Cal? if so, that would have put them at 19-7-3 which is still only .655 overall.
2. Breeze were not ranked around here last year because only 1-3 99 teams were worthy of that list (if i recall that would have been Miller, KG and Team Cali, maybe sorcerer??). This year they are a 2nd year 14U and would be in everyone's top 10, and probably everyone's top 5. At least they would be in my top 5 up here. who are they? KG, Sorcerer, FC Miller, then the next group which is probably Breeze, FC Stone and ???? (no disrespect to SJ Sting or Cal Nuggets meant, wont have an ideal til summer on you). Did i miss anyone?
3. I agree 100% that the complimentary players are the difference. I think in nor cal's case most teams have a need still, including KG (see recent add looking for a PITCHER!!!). However, i do think that a stud team can be assembled and it can work. (winning a title isnt the object, creating exposure for the girls on team is. A title (or national success) only increases that exposure.
Hope that came across as discussion material not arguing material.