Nor Cal Gold Teams 08-09

[GoldTBfan]

I've spent a little time talking with a variety of Gold coaches this fall, both
Nor Cal & So Cal, and I wouldn't be surprised if a number of them do not bring back any college players. I've heard a number of top teams complaining about their college players from last summer and how they disrupt chemistry and do not add a lot to the team.

I know it's early and a lot of thinks change but, I would tend to look at the make up of these teams after fall. The top ones will be looking for depth, especially at pitcher. I would expect some significant roster changes between now and the first qualifier.

[DHBHitting]

You know I have been hearing grumblings about that too, that is a great point. I know there where all these rumors as to how this coach and that coach was going to bring back so many college players this past summer and they didnt bring back any so its certainly possible.

However having said that, I do believe that all the top Nor Cal clubs will bring back 1 or 2 players, at least.

[The Big Dog]

Did anyone see Tom's Lady Sharks last weekend? That's a bit of a forgotten team but they did qualify last year, albeit with an older group than what they usually have...

Also, an indication of how wacky the fall can be, Strike Zone wasn't close in the first game on Saturday and came back and beat the Choppers 5-4 in the next.

Lady Magic has looked good. 5-0 the previous weekend with the only real competition coming from the Shockers in a 1-0 final. Heard the only loss they suffered at Bob's was 1-0 to Firecrackers (Dan).

Grapes have power and speed and Phil looks like he's trying to find out about new players.

[Old Darter]

LM 3 Lady Sharks 1
LM 5 Bustos Elite 0
FC 2 LM 1
LM 4 Thunder 0
LM 3 Breeze (DM) 1

[DBLUE]

I think everyone is on the right track with these teams listed. I got to watch pretty much every team this last weekend, and will again this next weekend.

Sorcerers are the cream of the crop. You have to out score them, and i'm not sure who can do that right now.

Lady Magic are good. Pitching will keep them winning games. But as we can see b the scores of the games they had, it's a little different than 16s. Every team out there will improve with pickups for the summer. If magic doesn't they will struggle.

Sting has pitching, but not much else. A couple good ball players. They are banking on bringing back the college kids. Some bridges were burned, good luck with that.

Grapettes are solid again, and they will get their college kids back. So, they should have another great run this year.

There are some other really good teams out there. But, the fall is the fall, as people say. We'll have to see how things go, and who picks up who.

Some of the other teams that looked alright, and had pretty good weekends were:

Shockers
AASA
Lady Sharks
Strikkers
Sorcerers pete


Glad our little softball break is over, and looking forward to seeing some really good ball this season.

[Old Darter]

Looks like Lady Magic beat two of those teams this past weekend in the Grapes (7-4) and Sorcerers (1-0). Didn't see the game, but I understand the Magic/Sorcerer game had the intensity of a qualifier, both teams playing all out for the win. I'm sure Magic will improve, don't forget they have a couple of college players (former Magic players) they could get back as well.

[GoldTBfan]

I happen to see the LM vs Sorcerer game; you're right that it was very intense.
Sorcerer had many more opportunities then LM, they left the bases loaded almost every inning but, couldn't get the timely hit. It was fun to watch two very good teams compete.

The Grapettes, Lady Magic and Sorcerer were no doubt the best teams in Stockton this weekend.
It will be fun to see how they develop between now and June, I would expect more then a few changes to each roster.

[maxedout007]

who pitched for LM and Sorcerers?
also what college players for LM didnt they just move up from 16s?

[DHBHitting]

Was out at the park this weekend to catch some of the college fall games seen quite a bit of the lady magic, very good team, after watching them, they will be fine, cant say for sure they will qaulify because that is never promised at the Gold level but they will have just a good a chance as Sorcerer or the Grapes to do it.

Summer rosters will look totally different for Sorcerer and Grapes both where missing big bats in the middle of their orders that they will get back this summer. Dont know who the magic could bring back from college old darter, but if they can add some big hitters to help Zigenhurt out driving the ball I like their chances to get to Oklahoma.

[magicfan]

The LM/Sorcerer game was one of the best games I've seen in a while. Jolene Henderson pitched 3 innings for LM, Ali Carda 2 innings. Sorcerer stranded 14 base runners in those 5 innings--props to the LM pitching and defense to keep those runners from crossing home.
Sammy Albanese pitched 3 innings for the Sorcerers, then Jessica Moore pitched the final two. Sammy only gave up two hits (a bomb triple by Ali) and struck out about 7. Sorcerers made some really bad baserunning errors. This will probably continue to be a great NorCal rivalry.