Top Ten polls for returning 10u and 12u coaches and USSSA

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

Coaches/Parents,

USSSA and The Softball Zone are partnering up on an event April 23-24 which is an invitational. The goal is to invite back the top ten returning teams in both 10u and 12u to participate in a 5 g/g event in Marion at RVBFY. I have been in contact with Ricky to try to do some neat things like webcast the championship games in both age groups.

Where I need your help is determining and contacting these potential teams. Obviously the final polls are mostly filled with teams moving up in age groups. I would like to go to the second year teams and invite them first and then fill in with quality teams that will probably be in the discussion for those two lists all season. What I am asking is twofold: One to determine the list of potential teams. Two to find contact info for those teams.

The final 10u list from 2015:

1st Place Votes are in ( )
Rank --- Team --- Total Pts
1. Lasers Gold '04 (6)...........122
2. Stingrays '04 (6)..............120
3. Jackson Royals (1).............96
4. Starz '04...........................82
5. Roadrunners......................78
6. Thunder Elite '04................65
7. Storm '04..........................46
8. Sundogs ' 04.....................33
9. Valley Force '04.................24
10. Lasers Blue '05................19
Others receiving votes: Ohio Lightning (10), Ice Orange (10), Cincy Slammers'04 (8), Stingrays '05 (3).

The final 12u list for 2015:

1st Place Votes are in ( )
Rank --- Team --- Total Pts
1. Mason Thunder (13)..........184
2. Lasers White (4)...............169
3. OFC Heat ........................113
4. Ohio Storm'02...................94
5. Ohio Ice Red.....................90
6. Wizards 419......................84
7. Cincy Slammers '02(2).......64
8. Sundogs-Phares................50
9. Ohio Starz '02...................31
10. Wolfpack '02...................31

Others receiving votes: Classics'02 (30), Thunder Elite'02 (18), Ohio Outlaws '02 (15), Wizards Elite '03 (15), Fury Fastpitch Vegas (7), Viking Elite (7), Stingrays '02 (6), Erie Diamonds (5), Hurricanes (5), Cincy Slammers'03 (4), Lasers Black (4), Outlaws'03 (4), Stingrays'03 (3), Wolfpack '03 (3), CO Vipers'02 (2), CO Vipers '03 (2) , Dirt Dawgs (2), Cincy Doom (2), Explosive Black'02 (1).

Obviously this is a chore but can be done. The intent of this event is to partner up with the greatest resource the FP community in Ohio has which is the Softball Zone. And to also get a top flight early season event for the 10u and 12u teams to get the season started with. A possible future goal of the event is to link this event down the road with the USA Elite Futures program for the younger age groups. Plus if this event gets strong, which it should, it can make nice window dressing on showcase tournament applications for down the road when these teams start playing on that circuit.

The link for the event in the USSSA tournament section is here: Mid-Ohio Softball Zone Top-Ten Invitational

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

I updated the tournament listing with some of the early invitees. This list is not any personal opinion of mine on which team is better. The list is not an order that I am compiling. I did get a nice PM with some potential teams and invitees and I went with that and with the returning teams that I had info for.

One of the nice things with the Odd Year age groups of USSSA is that for future play, we can have a true 9u/10u & 11u/12u division within the traditional age groups. I also got a suggestion to invite some Indiana teams. I would like to see this event progress to include teams from other states also. I just need help on the contact info is all.

 

[homerin]

Mike,

To help out with 12Us, I have filtered for the '03 teams and their final rankings which should help you identify the returning second year 12 teams to target. It depends on how you want to slice and dice this. There are second year 12 teams that I would say are currently in the top 10 12U teams in Ohio but received no votes in the final poll last year. Still so early to tell.

Also wanted to note that the Wizards elite 03 are the reigning USSSA 11U national champs.

14. Wizards Elite '03 (15),
19. Hurricanes (5),
20. Cincy Slammers'03 (4),
21. Lasers Black (4),
22. Outlaws'03 (4),
23. Stingrays'03 (3),
24. Wolfpack '03 (3),
26. CO Vipers '03

 

[Ri-domination]

Fyi,,, 8 of the Lasers 04' are now with the Outlaws 04'.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Mike when we.spoke about this event I really like the concept and it sure will be nice to bring these teams together for one great weekend of softball. I can't wait!

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Fyi,,, 8 of the Lasers 04' are now with the Outlaws 04'.

Mike that was a concern of.mine, what was the plan if you had almost the whole team move to a new organization? Would you hand out a invite to the Outlaws?

 

[PlayTwo]

​

Mike,

To help out with 12Us, I have filtered for the '03 teams and their final rankings which should help you identify the returning second year 12 teams to target. It depends on how you want to slice and dice this. There are second year 12 teams that I would say are currently in the top 10 12U teams in Ohio but received no votes in the final poll last year. Still so early to tell.

Also wanted to note that the Wizards elite 03 are the reigning USSSA 11U national champs.

14. Wizards Elite '03 (15),
19. Hurricanes (5),
20. Cincy Slammers'03 (4),
21. Lasers Black (4),
22. Outlaws'03 (4),
23. Stingrays'03 (3),
24. Wolfpack '03 (3),
26. CO Vipers '03

You'd have to filter out the '03 teams. They won't be able to play in April because of school ball.

 

[Storm_sevens]

Really like this idea Mike but I have the same concern as PlayTwo.....school ball will be a concern for us as well.

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

1. On the new organization thought. I certainly would invite the Outlaws 04. I just need contact into to do so.
2. Some of the teams are not affected by school ball or it is a club sport in their district. Not all but some.
3. I obtained contact info for the Wizards 03 and I believe they are going to accept. I updated the list.

The event is a little bit of a "pipedream" for me, but I think it can be done. Worst case scenario and it morphs into a mega 10u event and we go with the 12u in early May. Tons of possibilities for this one. The option to invite teams from other states would make this a mega-event.

I may also solicit some "volunteer" coaches to form a invitation committee for the future. If we implement that, we would try to get coverage from all corners of the state with coaches who play these teams all of the time and input on potential out of state invitees.

Again, tons of possibilities on this one.

 

[reagansdaddy]

Love the concept. One other possible issue would be that there was at least one team last year that constantly branded themselves as an 05 team but had 04 players in critical roles, including pitcher. That, obviously, would have a huge impact on them this year. It's pretty tough to use last year's rankings for anything this year.

FWIW, both the Stingrays and Lasers 05 teams were outstanding and would give any 04 team all they wanted (and sometimes more) last season.

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

If we work this correctly, it might be a great way to tie in with the first coaches poll of the season. We get as many of these teams with voting coaches onsite and the poll concept (for fun and discussion purposes only!) really comes together.

Mike when we.spoke about this event I really like the concept and it sure will be nice to bring these teams together for one great weekend of softball. I can't wait!

 

[Laser05]

I like the concept. Here are my thoughts! Why make it an OHIO best? We need to look to bring the out of state teams to OHIO more.

Thoughts

-Hold the tournament in SouthWest OHIO (Example Beavercreek Ohio Rotary Park. 10 fields with lights. Or use a complex in Cinci. We hold Stingrays, Lasers, GAPSS, and Penn Classic but nothing in the SouthWest. Might bring in Indiana, KY, ILL, Tenn teams.
-Invite (Indiana Prospects, Gators, DREAMS LIDS, MAGIC GOLD, LL Sluggers, Tenn MOJO ELITE, Bandits, and others from Indiana, Ill, KY, Michigan and Tenn to attend.
-Make it a tournament that people can't resist coming to and all the young teams are looking right now for strong tournaments in April.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

I like the concept. Here are my thoughts! Why make it an OHIO best? We need to look to bring the out of state teams to OHIO more.

Thoughts

-Hold the tournament in SouthWest OHIO (Example Beavercreek Ohio Rotary Park. 10 fields with lights. Or use a complex in Cinci. We hold Stingrays, Lasers, GAPSS, and Penn Classic but nothing in the SouthWest. Might bring in Indiana, KY, ILL, Tenn teams.
-Invite (Indiana Prospects, Gators, DREAMS LIDS, MAGIC GOLD, LL Sluggers, Tenn MOJO ELITE, Bandits, and others from Indiana, Ill, KY, Michigan and Tenn to attend.
-Make it a tournament that people can't resist coming to and all the young teams are looking right now for strong tournaments in April.

Allot of great ideas

 

[wpaguy]

I just want to add if looking for Western PA teams. Should consider . PA Outlaws, Team PA , Spirit 12u Gold , Pittsburgh Passion, Pittsburgh Power and Nitro as some possible teams ..

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

All great ideas. I do agree that it would be nice to get some events of that caliber in the SW part of the state. I had this date booked in Marion so we will honor our agreement but will work on something like this for that area. Lots of possibilities in that area also.

I have had some teams thrown out at me and if you want to PM in private with thoughts, please do so. The intent is not to slight anyone but also not to embarrass anyone, mainly myself since I do not know these teams as well as I should.

In 12u these teams have been suggested to me:
Ohio Ice Orange
Ohio Bulldawgs Elite (Electric Storm 11u in 2015)
Sun Dogs 04 - Noss in 2015

Please feel free to PM me or discuss.

I like the open it up to other states idea. I think in fairness to go down that road, we should get some coaches on a selection committee for the future. This way there is more input on deserving teams from out of state.

Thoughts or suggestions?

Mike

I like the concept. Here are my thoughts! Why make it an OHIO best? We need to look to bring the out of state teams to OHIO more.

Thoughts

-Hold the tournament in SouthWest OHIO (Example Beavercreek Ohio Rotary Park. 10 fields with lights. Or use a complex in Cinci. We hold Stingrays, Lasers, GAPSS, and Penn Classic but nothing in the SouthWest. Might bring in Indiana, KY, ILL, Tenn teams.
-Invite (Indiana Prospects, Gators, DREAMS LIDS, MAGIC GOLD, LL Sluggers, Tenn MOJO ELITE, Bandits, and others from Indiana, Ill, KY, Michigan and Tenn to attend.
-Make it a tournament that people can't resist coming to and all the young teams are looking right now for strong tournaments in April.

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

Mike,
A little along these lines what about trying to bring an Elite Select Showcase to SWO to garner interest from the above mentioned out of state teams? You could incorporate the top 10 invite for the younger ages and do the Elite Select for the older girls.

 

[CoachLucas]

Last year most central Ohio 7th grade finished up May 12-17th....

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

***UPDATE***

I have updated the listing of teams. I am still looking for contact info for teams.

CoachLucas, I am working on another date for the 12u's and 14u's right in between the Wyatt Memorial and the Memorial Day events in Whitehall. This will be another good early season test for those teams.

Please if you know of a team that is flying under the radar that should be very good, PM me the info. This is a touchy subject for some folks and I respect that but value the input.

Thoughts for the future include a coaches input committee, putting together a program listing the teams and accomplishments, making it a true invitational and invite teams from this region. Those are all "down the road" ideas, but just things that roll into my head from time to time.

 

[Coach Mike]

Roadrunners 05 would definitely be interested in playing in this Mike. Only if we can play with our critical 04 players from last year .. Kidding just kidding great ideas from the above post and a at least 1 negative post from certain ones as always!