USSSA uses a format for its Elite 24 World Series seldom used, primarily due to time constraints.  Teams are snake seeded (Pool A#1, Pool B #1, Pool B #2, Pool A #2 and so on) by USSSA points.  However, all pool play games are cross pooled.  No team plays another from there pool until the double elimination bracket play begins.  At this point you exclusively battle against your pool, hoping to outlast the dynamic field.

Great cross pool games included #5 Tomateros de California, a majority favorite amongst coaches to win the tournament, vs. #10 West Pines Nike Cobras.  The Tomateros shut out and run ruled the Cobras in 4 innings.  Our #1 Oklahoma Elite has had its hands full thus far with a close 3-1 win against #13 Central Florida Bobcats followed by a decisive run ruling of Honorable Mentioned Stixx (TX) 12-3.  You know you’re in the fire when a #13 ranked team can be 0-2 after pool play with their second loss coming to #17 American Avengers III, 8-0. 

Other notable pool play games saw #9 Most Feared go head to head with honorable mentioned and USSSA Major World Series Champs the Alabama Senators.  Most Feared jumped on the Senators in the top of the first pushing three runs across.  Chris Gonzales the big hard throwing right hander took the mound for Most Feared and kept the boys from Alabama off balance with his fast ball and mixing in an excellent knuckle ball and changeup.

After four innings the score was tied 3-3. In the bottom of the 5th and the score still 3-3 with one out and runners on first and second, the Senators first baseman Jalen Luter hit a hard grounder to the shortstop, Luter hustled down to first beating the throw, not allowing Most Feared to turn the double play while the runner scored from second. Senators go up 4-3. In the top of the 6th with one on and one out the catcher Christian Sanchez hit an RBI single to tie the game. With the runner on second Chris Gonzalez grounds out but the go ahead run scores from second putting the team from Texas up 5-4. 

This brings us to today.  Several TBS ranked or honorable mentioned teams have already faced off, but now there’s little room for failure as no one wants to play from the loser’s bracket.  Somewhat of a surprise has been the Detroit Bees who sit at 2-0 after beating both Avengers III Red (TX), who received an at large berth, & Mac-N-Seitz Red Sox.  Not an unknown (2007 9U AABC World Champs – Jackie Robinson League), the Bees started the season as AAA and their only notable opponent all season was #10 Nike Cobras.  But to their credit they play hard as evident by a close one run victory over AAYBA Open World Series Champs (St. Louis Division) Mac-N-Seitz Red Sox. 

The Lamorinda Monarchs are also catching our attention with a 2-0 record.  Coming off a respectable showing in Cooperstown, the Monarchs look to have reloaded for the Disney trip after being given an invitation to play. 

Looking at the bracket match ups for Wednesday and Thursday after the pool play games have completed, Pool A seems to be a top heavy as compared to Pool B.  With six of our Top 25 set to eliminate each other just to make the championship game.  Of the Pool A bracket games, the most anticipated first round match up has Armour (CO) facing Mac-N-Seitz Red Sox (MO) for the fourth time this season in USSSA tournament play.  The first three games leave the teams 1-1-1 against each other.  The winner will have our #7 O.C. Black Sox waiting. 

In Pool B the most compelling match up has two winless teams in #13 Central Florida Bobcats and Honorable Mentioned Alabama Senators.  We would have thought both teams would have a win under their belts at this point so expect them to be playing like there’s no tomorrow.  Teams with a strong first two days have Wednesday off but crank right back up Thursday morning.  Expect the unexpected with this field, but the cream does appear to be rising to the top.

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