Tourney skillset hierarchy?

[No1Fan]

We are still newby’s to the world of travel ball as my 12/u dd is just completing her first calendar year out of league, so please forgive my ignorance.

Her team is very competitive in the tourneys in which they play, but I know there are superior teams in Northern CA that could easily crush hers. However, I don’t believe those superior teams participate in her same tourneys.

Is there a particular skill set ranking between ASA, NSA, and USSSA, and PGF tourneys? In which other tourneys are the superior teams playing?

Thanks!

[extiger]

In my opinion its really hard to say. If a team wins a tourney at a PGF qualifier, how competitive was that one tournament? Best way to find out is to test the waters and have your team host a friendly and invite the teams who you might think are the power houses. Losing to them doesn't make you a bad team just as long as you are competitive.

We played an 18U team in Colorado who was highly ranked in that area. Yet we shut them out and run ruled them.

Then of course there are the teams that are obviously the best of the best.

[AvgMoe]

Some coaches live and breath by friendly's. Plus its a way for your team to get noticed, good or bad. You can spend some time fishing around Hey Bucket to get a list of the teams in NorCal.

I guess PGF is your top tier tourney for CA. It tends to be all about NorCal vs SoCal. check out the list of teams that have made it to to see if you have played any of them. Then ASA, NSA and USSSA last. Usually rec teams starting out to do travel ball will only play in USSSA.

Not sure what part of NorCal you are in, but take your daughter to a tryout for one of the teams that made it to PGF and see how she does.

You will find that PGF type teams are a mix of girls from local area to the team to girls that travel more then an hour for practice.

Alos, depending on budget if you make a PGF type team expect to pay more. They tend to travel more for friendly's then tournaments.

You do not have to tell me the team name or city, but what general area do you live in?

[No1Fan]

Thanks extiger and AvgMoe for the great information. It was very helpful.

AvgMoe, she plays in Contra Costa County.

[AvgMoe]

Here are a few of the best 12u teams in NorCal. They have some of the best players and coaches from all over.

for you The KG Hitters might be the best in your area - http://kghitters.com mi

Rest of the top 12u for 2014
LTG Lions - "Love The Game" - http://www.ltglions.com - Sacramento'ish
Fresno Force - http://www.fresnoforce.com/ - Fresno
San Jose Sting - http://sting.softballsystems.com/ San Jose
Salinas Storm - http://www.salinasstorm.org/ - Salinas
California Breeze - http://www.californiabreeze.org - Sacramento area
Team California - http://www.team-california.com/ - Roseville
Foothill Gold - http://foothillgoldasa.org Fair Oaks CA / Sacramento'ish
NorCal Firecrackers - http://www.firecrackersoftball.com - Roseville
OBS Monarchs - http://htosports.com - Modesto / Stockton
KG Hitters - http://kghitters.com/ - Concord Area (your area)
Dirt Dogs - http://cencaldirtdogs.weebly.com/ and http://www.norcaldirtdogs.com

Others ...
http://www.allamericanteams.com/
http://www.grapettes.com/
http://www.ladymagicsoftball.org/
http://www.ladyspartanssoftball.com/
http://norcalcruiserssoftball.com/
http://www.rrgoldsoftball.com/

[No1Fan]

Thanks for the great information and links, AvgMoe!

I'll DEFINITELY look into the KG Hitters this fall.

[Watermanhouse]

What birth year is your daughter? Is she moving into 12U (born in 2003) or moving out of 12U ( born in 2001)? That would make a huge difference in what teams to look at.


I agree KG is a very strong org in your area and you should check them out. But if that isn't the right fit for your daughter, I would suggest http://www.eteamz.com/norcalshockers/ I watched them play and was impressed by the teams communication and strong coaching. I think the team will continue to develop and might be one of those good teams, just under the radar.

Keep looking at this forum for tryouts, try out for a lot of teams, see what fit is best for your family. Ask questions, ask more questions. If you can, go out and watch coaches coach in games. It will help you make the best decision for your daughter and your family. Good luck!

[Blender]

ditto on the shockers

[MC3sMom]

We were lucky to be part of the Shockers for the last year. Unfortunately the team dissolved due to the coaches moving on. Sad, because the team was on the verge of greatness. The organization behind the teams does not have much to it, showed no interest in trying to keep core girls together.

[quietstorm02]

The best 12u team I saw in Sac all year was OC United, who came up from SoCal to get their PGF berth.

In general, the consensus is that the best NorCal teams are pursuing PGF and ASA Nationals berths, the next-level teams are pursuing ASA Nationals only, and then the next group are planning for ASA Westerns and/or Triple Crown.

NSA and USSSA will occasionally have some pretty big tournaments between here in Stockton/Modesto, but for the most part, you're not going to see the tier-1 or tier-2 teams there. It happens on occasion, though, usually depending on who else is entered, the schedule/location, etc.