SoCalFiend wrote:10U Watchlist: (this is not too difficult):
1. Corona Angels
2. Team Smith Blue
3. Cerritos Franchise
4. American Athletics
5. OC Batbusters
6. Valley Tribe
7. Double Play
8. IV Stealth
9. So Cal Crunch 98
10. So Cal Heaters
1-6 are interchangeable depending on what week it is... Angels and TSB remain the favorites... 3-6 is a matter of opinion depending on the style of ball your prefer... #3 Franchise is quick, exciting on defense, fast on the bases, 3 slappers in the line-up but prone to a bad inning on defense and lacking a dominant pitcher #4 American Athletics has the best 10U hitter on their team and overall pretty solid, but can be prone to getting a little rattled...#5 OC Batbusters, good team, but has match up problems with some of the better teams. #6 Valley Tribe has the dominant pitcher in the division (along with Angels P #00), but they are inconsistent at the plate and average on defense. #7-10 won't win States, but they will play an important role as spoilers... DP took TSB to ITB in the Palm Springs Tournament, So Cal Crunch beat Franchise in the semis of the Vegas tourney after being mercy shut out by them the day before...
Don't think any of the teams will fare well at Nationals... Just one of those years...
Here are the facts-
Angels and TSB will battle every single game with the Angels having the "Ship" experience behind them. Will be interesting if they play one another early. Angels have depth in there line up that can play small ball, put the ball in play and hit for power. You can't figure out #00- this kid is special. 5 tool player which separates her from all other 10u's. Power, Speed, Arm srength, Range and Wits (Can also pitch). She plays beyond her years and can cause havoc. Pitching-both pitchers on the Angels are flat out studs. Can throw (verified) low 50's with movement/location which is rare in 10u and have the experience of the big games behind them X 4 since Sept. 2007.
TSB all around good team and likely biggest threat to CA. The problem though is there pitching. They will not blow it by you and against a good hitting team like CA it can get ugly.
Dont count out Batbusters. On a good weekend they can be tough.
Lastly, CA has a winning coach behind them who will out coach others.
My prediction: CA, TSB and Batbusters.
Nationals- Dont count out CA teams. Last years out of State contenders moved up.