May 12, 2008: Feature Articles today include:  TBS Rankings Update: 10U Spring Rankings, 13U Spring Rankings, 15U Pre-Season Rankings, 13U Tournament Results: Battle in the South, and *NEW* TBS Photo Shop.

TBS Rankings Update: 10U Spring Rankings 

1. Tomateros de California (CA) – Their 9U season was capped off with a Triple Crown World Series Championship and Tomateros continues to state their dominance as 10 year olds.  Despite a recent championship game tournament loss to O.C. Black Sox, the Tomateros de California are still considered head of the class.  Since winning their berth to the 2008 USSSA Elite 24 World Series in the Thanksgiving Super NIT, The Tomateros have played up with 11U Majors in 5 consecutive USSSA events placing 2nd in two.  Most recently they played in two 10U tournaments winning one and getting second in another.  

2. American Avengers III (TX) - This is a team with a strong history.  Playing almost exclusively USSSA, Avengers III has been one of the last two teams standing in the past two USSSA World Series tournaments.  Expect the same as they have continued to be at or near the top in one of the most competitive states.  A berth to the USSSA 10U Elite World Series is already secured as the top two spots at the 2007 9U World Series receive automatic bids.  They won two consecutive USSSA NIT tournaments before stumbling last week against a couple of non ranked teams.  They’ve got a winning record against the Banditos Black, another TBS Top 10 Texas team.  With Super NITs in Texas and Louisiana coming up in a few weeks, we’ll see how they fare in a large field of regional competition.

3. Oklahoma Elite (OK) – Welcome home Elite, to the TBS Top 25.  In an honest oversight, the Elite were left off our preseason rankings, but are now most deserving of a place in the top 5.  To this point in the season, they’ve competed in the most regional events of any team mentioned in the rankings.  They’ve snagged 2 of the 6 Super NITs.  They’ve got wins against Banditos Black, Mac-N-Seitz Indians and Southern Jaguars (GA).  Consider this team a lock for top ten finish at Disney.  Strong, real strong, hitting - they mash with anyone.  Deep pitching and a well schooled catcher make them that much harder to beat.

4. GBC Team Acceleration (NC) – From Championship Pedigree, GBC climbs the rankings having an impressive Spring Season. Playing almost exclusively 11U tournaments, GBC recently won the Charlotte  They’ve won six of the nine 11U tourneys they’ve entered.  They’ll play a stacked Triple Crown event @ East Cobb Baseball complex May 16th.  It’ will be their last 10U tourney until CooperstownDream Park June 13 week.  GBC will also defend their Triple Crown Summer National Championship at Myrtle Beach in July.  They’re a polished, well skilled club with a mature understanding of the game.  They will make noise in any national tournament you put them in.  Their eight legitimate pitchers will prove its value in the week long events - like Cooperstown.  Look for them to go deep into the 96 team, single elimination bracket. 10U Super NIT.  

5. OC Black Sox (CA) - The OC Black Sox won the 2008 10U MLK Super NIT and recently beat #1 Tomateros to win the Spring Fling NIT, They stay put in the same preseason spot.  We know they’re real but their losses to lesser opponents make it tough to sort out.  One thing we know, they play hard and are a classy group.

...Complete 10U Rankings

TBS Rankings Update: 13U Spring Rankings

1. (1) Banditos Black (TX) – Streak is at 148. Have won three events in the last six weeks, including a 14U Major event. Will take more than one loss to knock them from the top.

2. (2) OC Hawks (CA) – Most of this team plays up on different teams. Probably wont play together again until the Elite 24. Have a good chance to give the Banditos fits.

3. (3) Team Anderson (CA) – Like the Hawks, most of these kids spend time playing up. Already has ticket to Elite 24.

4. (4) Rocket City Stingers (AL) – School ball is now over, so we will be seeing more of this team. Lost in the semi’s at the Elite Travel Classic. Once the dust settles, this team will be there. Won the Super NIT in TN.

5. (16) RBI Redwings (PA) – Punched their ticket to Disney with a victory over TBS #6 NC Cleveland Indians in Charlotte. This team is just getting started as they have two more Super NIT’s, Battle in the South and the Michigan Major still to come...Complete 13U Rankings

2008 15U Pre-Season Rankings  

1. NorCal (CA) – Top notch coaching and key additions from the Starmakers in Flamion (TBS All American), Padilla (TBS All American), Saba (TBS All American), Goeddel and Woodcock, along with Team USA MVP Zack Davies (MIF) and Team USA Alex Real (1B) makes this team really good.  But combine them with the team holdovers of Phillip Evans (TBS All American), Tyler Krause, Trever Faulkner, and Team USA Collin Reed makes this team loaded with exceptional talent.

2. East Cobb Astros (GA) – Elite 24, WWBA and BCS national champions at 14U make this a tough #2 selection.  This well seasoned coach will make good use of this accomplished talent albeit without TBS All Americans Crownover, Cowart and Stephens that moved to 16U this year.  Pitching depth will be the only question here. Michael Hodorowski (Elite 24 MVP & TBS All American), C.J. Reed (TBS All American), Connor Gilbert, Marc Frazier and newcomer Dwight Smith (GA Seminoles) will be the heavies.

3. GA Seminoles - Rick Cosper returns as the manager of the Georgia Seminoles and has put together what may be his best team ever. Key returning players are TBS All American and Player Of The Year Delino DeShields, former TBS All Americans Jo-El Bennett, Julius Gaines, DJ Hill and JR Richey. New players include: Sean Leary (Texas Drillers), Michael Gunn (Gooses Gamers), Damom Waller (Ga. Mustangs), Zack Graves (EC Braves), Ben Venters (EC Braves), Cole Sutter (EC Longhorns) Sam Bragg (EC Yankees) Alex Hegner (EC Longhorns).

4. Dallas Yankees – This team is clearly one of the teams that will contend for many championships in 2008. They are coming off a successful ’07 season of 82-21-3 and have moved from a TBS ranking of 7 last year to the 4 hole. Could this be an omen? They are clearly one of the teams expected to do well as they return all but one player from their 2007 team while adding 4 new skill players.  

5. O.C. Stars – With all the talent in the state of CA this group has continued to perform well the last few years. They triumphed over the old South Cal Redwings in the BCS Regionals last February and prevailed over the E.C. Astros in the Elite 24. Bobby Lewis, Will Kuhl (TBS All American), and Austin Saenz (TBS All American) are the key performers...See the complete 15U Top Ten

13U Tournament Results -  Battle in the South (5/9 - 5/11/08)
 
Despite blustery and less than desirable conditions in Rockwood, Tennessee Sunday afternoon, the 13U Battle In The South wrapped up with Team Anderson winning the tournament. During pool play, Team Anderson defeated South Carolina and South Forsyth by a 9-1 margin on Saturday and beat the Indiana Pony Express 9-2 on Friday. Sunday afternoon, they disposed of the Tidewater Drillers by a 9-2 margin and headed to the semifinals against a tough NC Cleveland Indians squad...Read More

***NEW TBS PHOTO SHOP***

Throughout the course of the season, TBS will be featuring photos from our staff in the field and photos that we receive from the readers...See pictures
 

Recent Headlines

TBS Feature Team: 11U Chiefs Baseball...Read More

New 12U Spring Rankings...Complete 12U Rankings

New 11U Spring Rankings...Complete 11U Rankings

15U Pre-Season Rankings...Complete 15U Top Ten