16U or 18U pre-season Poll

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In looking back a bit, it does not seem like this has been done a bunch and not for some time. Is there anyone willing to conduct a poll for the big girls? I would guess that if a team is poll worthy they are playing in some showcases that are not age specific in general and the teams play both age groups. Maybe do one for both? 16 and UP poll. Anyone?

 

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At the older ages, you won't get anyone to bite. They've all been there and done that and don't get all wrapped up and excited about polls saying who's better and who's not. Their main concern is showcasing their dd's and enjoying the last few years watching their baby girls, who turned into women when they weren't looking, play the sport they love. Most tournaments they go to are showcase tournaments. They are not about going for the wins, they are about getting your players seen in front of as many coaches as you can, wins and loses are incidental. That's why it has been years since the last poll for the older age groups. By that age, their priorities are different and being the best team in the state according to a bunch of OFCers isn't really high on their list of things to do....honestly, they could care less.

Now 10u and 12u polls, that's a whole different story!!!! You'd think it was an OFFICIAL state-wide poll the way everyone gets all fired up!! :lmao: :lmao: Give them a few years and they will all calm down and see what is important and what just doesn't matter.

 

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Now 10u and 12u polls, that's a whole different story!!!! You'd think it was an OFFICIAL state-wide poll the way everyone gets all fired up!! :lmao: :lmao: Give them a few years and they will all calm down and see what is important and what just doesn't matter.

This needs to be sticky'ed at the top. If i could have liked your post twice i would have.

 

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I've been around Ohio Fastpitch and OFC since around 2001 as I have had 2 daughters and 2 step daughters that played travelball for several fine organizations such as Lasers, Stingrays, Cincy Doom and Ohio Nightmare.

My point is that it was common to see 14u & 16U polls on an annual basis up until 2010. I still remember one of the last 16U (92 & 93 classes)polls around 2010 when everyone was chasing Valley Extream Blue and Ohio Nightmare. I believe the top 5 were ...

1) Valley Extream Blue
2) Ohio Nightmare
3) Ohio Classics Black
4) Ohio Lasers White
5) Buckeye Heat Toledo

The 14U (94 & 95 classes) was...

1) lasers Scarlet
2) Ohio Slammers
3) Cincy Doom 95

Then the coaches of the 96, 97, 98 classes decided that it was politically incorrect for the older age groups to have a poll and they stopped having them.

IMHO polls are fun and creates interest in the game we love. It also adds to the history on how all these young teams did each year as they developed! Before anyone bashes me, my baby girl is a junior in college....I just see nothing wrong with havering polls at the older age groups, which use to be the norm here on OFC.

So donuts00, whoever you are, good luck with your pursuit!

 

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Ahhhh.....the good old days. I remember those teams, a lot of great talent in those age groups.

 

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Agree,it is a time to showcase but......1st fall showcase did get comments from other coaches that they were happy to be in strong pools and when teams took to the fields,it was heated rivalries and teams were playing for the win.Preseason polls do no justice buuuut....I'll bite,later down the road,think Laser Gold will make Ohio proud.2 showcases playing Sluggers,Team Atlanta,Indy Dreams,Team PA and only 1 loss 0-1 against Beverly Bandits.Then Eastern Qualifier that gave up no runs the entire tourney.Not ranking Laser Gold(but they are loaded) verse Ohio teams because Ohio has grown to produce stronger teams and players over the past years and think we start talking/bragging about Ohio teams against the nation!

 

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I knew that all of the above was going to be said. I just missed out on this OFC thing back when DD played at those ages. Everyone, of course, would like to know where their particular team stacks up in the eyes of others. I will still take a peek at the 12U as I do have a niece that is in that mix. Ohio is getting stronger in the older ages and in these showcases. It kinda neat to have a rivalry brewing with a top team from another state instead of beating up on each other at every tournament like in past years. I guess another problem is that we are all traveling so far that no one really knows how each other did as regularly as they used to. We are not all together at every tournament for all to see!