The are going to be alot of very good teams in 12u this year. There were a handful last year who won more than their fair share of tournaments. That group of teams moved up to 14u. This year I think week in week out tourneys will be up for grabs. In the "good" tournaments, there won't be one team that everyone has to look out for, there will be many. Some teams are a little more talented than others but not by that much. There won't be as many games that coaches can afford to think they'll crusie thru switching around their fielders and throwing their lower skilled pitchers, saving their best for the semi finals or finals. To a certain degree, they'll have no choice. But some of these teams will get eliminated before they get the chance to put their "ultimate" lineup out there, whereas last year that could've got you thru, especially for some of those teams that moved to 14u this year. I've seen a fair amount of teams this year, but still so many I haven't seen. Our girls didn't attend Spano but have played some of the teams that did, who played some of those teams I haven't seen yet. It would be too hard to rank them at this point. Plus, I think if I made a top 10 list, and included teams from OH and PA, #10 would probably beat #1 half the time. If all 10 teams always threw their best pitcher then maybe the rankings would hold a little better, but thats not always going to happen. There will be times when #2 is playing #9 in the semis, with #1 waiting for the winner in the finals. If #2 is forced to save their top pitcher for the potential showdown with #1, they won't even get there. Its that close in my mind.
Now, our team, the Furies 12u has been listed in a few of these rankings. And I appreciate it. But we have played 2 of the teams, multiple times since the fall, that are on alot of peoples lists. We're winless against one, undefeated against the other, but they're undefeated against the one we haven't won against. See what I mean? I'd have to say you could definitely find an easier game than having to face them while facing elimination. Top Gunz MZ and Pittsburgh Lady Roadrunners Blue. Of course you want your girls to play good teams, I'm just saying no coach doesn't welcome an easier semi final if he/she can get one. One of the Spano 12u finalists our girls scrimmaged and came out on top, albeit a scrimmage. But I seen enough to know not to expect the same result when we see them this spring and summer. We're not going to think they're an easy out on Sunday when we're facing elimination, just because they didn't make the rankings?
Our girls are a solid group of players who should compete very well this year. But, as a team, they still need some work in alot of areas before I'd put them in any rankings. But then again, I'd imagine most 12u teams are in the same boat. If our girls play the way they're capable of, they'll be a tough out for anybody. If they don't, then they'll be going home early. I'd imagine thats also the same for most 12u teams. At 12u this year thats just reality. Outside of a few of the elite teams that come along every once in awhile (Slammers, Valley Extreme Red, etc) most teams this yeat will have the ability to take it to you if your girls don't play up to what they're capable of. There is alot of talent on alot of these teams. Our girls are looking forward to playing.
I'm not going to rank them but I will list teams I wouldn't hand pick to play in a semi final if other were available. These are based in what I've seen this year and last year (knowing they were mostly a young 12u then and assuming they returned most of lst years team) and off of info I've gotten from others this year who have seen some of these teams. This is only a list of teams that I know are solid. Not a list of the only solid,good teams. In no particular order.
Pittsburgh Lady Roadrunners Blue
Top gunz MZ
Ohio Emeralds
Valley Extreme White
Stingrays
Cincy Doom 95
Lady Lasers
Chain Reaction
Pittsburgh Power -Kelly
Evolution
