Updated 8-20-08
1. (6) Lamorinda Baseball (CA) – The Lamorinda Cougars were dominating at the Elite World Series against the strongest field assembled in one tournament.  They conquered these top ranked teams: TABU (3rd), West Chester Sluggers (5th), Florida Fire (7th), Houston Lightning (10th) twice, and RBA Seahawks (19th).  The Cougars finished with an 87 – 21 - 3 record, 43-17-3 record against the older boys and a 44-4 record against teams in their age group.  The Cougars were a pre-season favorite (ranked 3rd in first ranking by TBS), traveled across the country and slipped at the rain shortened BITS tournament (2-2), made some adjustments to the team and finished strong with an impressive Championship at the Elite World Series. A successful season has created an interest from top players who are looking to join the Cougars in the fall.

2. (7) East Cobb Astros (GA) – Like the Cougars, the Astros won a championship (AAU) in impressive style against the Florida Fire (7th), Virginia Storm (9th) twice, and Meteors, FL (22nd).  They too slipped (four loses to 11U teams) at midseason after winning the TOC but bounced back to finish the season with a 61-4 record against 11U teams and 12-11-1 against 12U Major teams. The Astros also have wins against these top ranked teams: TABU, Chiefs Baseball and West Chester Sluggers.  The Astros were undefeated in three of the top tournaments – AAU World Series, Tournament of Champions., and Battle in the South.  ECB will add three players to their 11 man roster next year; two are drop down players and one being Carter Hall, son of Georgia Tech’s baseball coach Danny Hall.  The strong get stronger.

3. (2) TABU (CA) – Overall record of 100-23-1 with 13 Championships (53-14 and 8 tournament championships vs. 12U competition). Third place finish at the Elite (knocked out by eventual champs, Lamorinda).  TABU was crowned the 11U CA State Champs.  They are winners of two Super NITs (SoCal - MLK USSSA Super NIT Champions and NorCal - Presidents Day USSSA Super NIT Champions).  TABU traveled across the country and finished 2nd at Tournament of Champions behind EC Astros.  During the season they have defeated the likes of Florida Fire (7th), Chiefs Baseball (6th) – twice, VA Storm (9th), the Texas Rattlers (10th) – twice, Semi-Predators (12th), Armour Baseball (20th), and tied the Texas Prospects (4th)

4. (1) Texas Prospects Americans (TX) – This team shined throughout the year (72-12-3) and had a winning streak of over 50 games against 11U teams in a talented rich Houston, TX region.  Defense faltered at the elite but still managed wins against RBA Seahawks, TX (19th), Florida Fire (7th), and a tie with TABU of CA (3rd) before falling to the Mudhens, MI (8th) and the Florida Fire.  This team will not stay together for next season.

5. (14) West Chester Sluggers (OH) – This Cincinnati team was not ranked at the beginning of the season but was steadfast in its climb to the top 10 with a final record of 60-8-1 and a second place finish at the Elite 24 with wins over Chiefs Baseball, GA (twice), Inside Sport, KS (18th), Macomb Mudhens, MI (8th), and Palmetto Flames, SC (17th).  Loses this season were to some ot the top ranked teams like the Astros, Cougars, Chiefs, and three honorable mentioned teams, Diamondhawks (OH), The Future (MI) and the  Monarchs (LA).  They finished the year with eight championships but they will remember the second place finish at the Elite the most.

6. (4) Chiefs Baseball (GA) – This team was a top 10 performer all year and finished fifth at the Elite World Series with a 4-2 record.  They had a tough draw but won both pool play games against the Colorado Armour (20th) and Houston Lightning (10th) before losing two out of three to the Sluggers (5th).  Overall record this year was ….  They won the TN SNIT, finished second at the GA SNIT, undefeated at the rain shortened BITS tournament, finished 3rd at the TOC, and won the GA State Championship.  Like most, this team will replace a couple of players during their Fall Tryouts.

7. (3) Florida Fire (FL) – The Fire had to have played the hardest 11U schedule in the country with success at the following tournaments: BITS, TOC, FL SNIT, AAU Nationals, and the Elite 24.  The hard schedule might have taken its toll as the Fire dimmed at the end of the season against some top competition.  Ended the year with a record of 76 wins and 14 loses.  They took home 14 first place trophies during the year; the biggest was the rain shortened Battle in the South.  They finished third at the Tournament of Champions and fifth at the Elite.  Team will add two drop-down players to bolster their already skilled team.

8. (15) Macomb Mudhens (MI) – Finish the season with a 60-18 record.  10 of these loses were to 12U teams.  Against the older competition, they finished runner-up twice, quarter-finalist in the MSA Elite 12U, and with a 4-4 record at a 12U World Series. In the Elite 24, they were hitting-it-where-it-was-pitched to finish third with wins over three talented Houston, TX teams, Texas Prospects, Houston Lightning and Gladiator Baseball as well as a win over the Florida Fire. They were ousted with two loses to the Florida Fire (7th) and W.C. Sluggers (5th). This team has already received commitments from top talent and will continue its winning ways next year, maybe under the name of a powerhouse Michigan program.

9. (11) Virginia Storm (VA) – Improved their standings with a second place finish at the AAU Championship losing only to the mighty Astros but beating Central Florida Diamondhawks (15th) and these honorable mentioned teams: Bullets Baseball Blue, Mill Creek Hawks.  Some say this is the top defensive team in the nation at 11U.  TravelBallSelect has been hard pressed to find a better fielding team or one that plays ‘small ball’ any better.

10. (8) TEAM Rattlers (TX) – The 2007 Elite 24 World Series champs finished fifth in 2008 with a 4-2 record.  Only loses were to TABU (ranked 3rd) twice.  They got the best of Palmetto Flames, SC (17), Semi Predators, CA (12), Alabama Naturals (23th), and Beaumont Gladiator, TX (HM).  Whereas the Storm is the best defensive team, the Rattlers are arguable the best hitting team, tremendous power.

10. (5) Houston Lightning (TX) – A tough draw at the Elite and losing to the top rated teams like the Chiefs (6th) and Mudhens (8th) in Pool Play and twice to the eventual champion, Lamorinda, in Bracket Play.  However, they beat their cross town rival, Houston Angels (14th), and Honorable Mentioned Metairie Rangers, LA and the New Orleans Monarchs, LA.  Lightning was strong all year with an impressive first place finish at the Texas South State Tournament which was filled with multiple ranked teams.  They finished second at the OK Super NIT before winning the Colorado Super NIT.

12. (13) Simi Predators (CA) – Team finished a splendid year with a 4-2 record at the Elite.  They got the best of the Inside Sport, KS (18th), SoCal Mavericks (25th), and Palmetto Flames (17th) and lost to two top 10 ranked teams in TABU (3rd), and Rattlers (10th).  The Simi Predators played in the 12U Bronco division (Pony League) and did not play in many tournaments in the Spring Season.  Team improved their record to 33-9-2 while playing up against 12U competition. Five of their six 11U tournaments rank as some of the hardest. They are one of a handful of teams to have played in the Elite World Series, three SNITs and another National event (Super Series Winter Nationals). They qualified for the Elite World Series with a second place finish at the Presidents Day Super NIT.  This is after winning the Super Series Winter Nationals (as Inside Pitch Elite).

13. (NR) Hawaii Warriors – A team that TravelBallSelect had missed during the regular season but impressed everyone at the AAU Nationals in Orlando by finishing third.  They were 3-1 in Pool Play with a 2-0 loss to the Florida Fire (7th) and a victory over the Future Baseball (HM).  In Bracket Play they beat the Florida Fire, Central Florida Diamondbacks (15th), and Meteors Baseball (22nd).  They were ousted by the Virginia Storm (9th) in the semi-finals losing in the bottom of the sixth.  They finished with a 25-6 record on the season.

14. (16) Houston Angels (TX) – Last year’s Elite Runner-up had a successful trip to Orlando in 2008 with a 4-2 record and tied for ninth place.  They only loses they had were to another Houston team, Lightning.  Otherwise, they took care of business as they have with non Houston teams all year (undefeated at the Charlotte SNIT).  The Angels finished the year with a 42-15 record – half the loses to 12U teams.

15. (17) – Central Florida Diamondbacks – Played well at the AAU Nationals but only had a 5-3 and a sixth place finish to show for it.  Loses in the tournament were to ranked teams Virginia Storm (9th), Hawaii Warriors (13th), and Home Plate (24th), the last of which they beat in bracket play. The Diamondbacks finished the season with an impressive record with the biggest wins  at the Florida Elite 12 11U Tournament with a championship win against the FL Fire.  CFD finished second at the FL SNIT to the Fire.

16. (18) Ft. Smith Outlaws (AR)/DQ Busters (AR) – Outlaws were Arkansas State Champs (USSSA) after beating DQ Busters twice.  Busters turn around in the Super Series Nationals to beat Outlaws (twice) for the Championship.  The Outlaws had an impressive showing at the OK Super NIT where the beat the OK Jammers (HM), Houston Lightning (#10) and Inside Sport KC Blues (#18) before falling to the Americans (#4).  Outlaws tied for first in Super Series Point system with no other than the DQ Busters.

17. (22) Palmetto Flames (SC) – The Flames from South Carolina improved their record to 68-23 with a 3 and 3 showing at the Elite. The Flames were either bright or dim as they won big or lost by the mercy-rule. There best outing was against Armour Baseball (20th). Throughout the year, the Flames battled back and forth with the Megastars, NC (HM) for bragging rights to the Carolinas.  Flames 13 Championships gives them the edge.

18. (9) Inside Sport KC Blues (KS) – The Blues ran into some tough competition at the Elite that derailed them from their winning ways. They went 2-3 at the Elite while losing to these ranked teams: Simi Predators, West Chester, and the Naturals. Inside Sport should not be singing the ‘blues’ as they are the top team in the Midwest and will continue to grow in dominance in this Region as proven in winning the last two KS SNITs. Their overall record on the year is 59-18 (16-8 while playing up) with 8 Championships.

19. (10) RBA Seahawks (TX) – Another team that was on a roll coming into the Elite World Series with an impressive showing at the Texas South State Tournament by beating the TP Americans (#4) and Team Rattlers (#10) in back to back games before falling to the Lightning (#10) in third game of the day against a top 10 team. Unfortunately the Seahawks had their wings clipped by two top 5 teams, Lamorinda Cougars and Texas Prospects and the Honorable Mentioned N.O. Monarchs. And in close games, they beat two Honorable Mentioned teams, Rangers (LA) and Oklahoma Jammers.

20. (12) Armour Baseball (CO) – A third team that took a strong season ending performance into the Elite but dropped in the rankings with a losing record at the Elite World Series (1-3). A big win over the Mudhens (8th) and a close lose to the Chiefs were short lived as they were mercy-ruled twice in Bracket Play.  As their record indicates – 60 wins in 72 games (21-4 against 12U) and 9 first place finishes - the Armour finished the year as the best team in the Mountain area.

21. (24) - Mississippi Royals (MS) – Took an undefeated record (7-0) into the championship of the NABF World Series at Snowden Grove Park before being upset by the Germantown Giants (HM), 1-0. The Royals have a 41-12 USSSA record, a third place finish at the AL SNIT and a 6-3 record against 12U teams. Last year’s Super Series National Champs had some big wins this season at the Tournament of Champions (i.e. VA Storm) and some close loses to the eventual champs, ECB Astros (7-6) and Runner-up, TABU.

22. (HM) Meteors Baseball (FL) – This is a new team formed this year but by the time they finished their season, they were anything but new. The Meteors played in 116 tournament games and had a 72-44 record. But with the late arrival of three pitchers, a weak spot in the line-up, the Meteors got rolling. They finished the season in 4th place at the AAU Nationals. In addition they did manage to win one Major Championship by defeating the Fire (7th) in the Semis and a win against the Central Florida Diamondbacks (15th) in the ‘Ship. A third of their games played have been against TravelBallSelect’s ranked teams. At the AAU Nationals they collected wins against the Hawaii Warriors (13th) and the Home Plate Chili Dogs (24th).

23. (24) Alabama Naturals (AL) – Finished tied for ninth at the Elite after settling down from losing their first three games to win two, one against the Inside Sport, KS (17).  A couple of wins at the Elite brought their final standing to 60-13 (six loses to 12U teams) with 10 ‘Ships including the state title and a championship win in the Alabama Super NIT.

24. (21) Home Plate Chili Dogs (GA) – Finished with a 6-3 record at the AAU Nationals which was good enough for fifth place. Wins over quality teams like Central Florida Diamondbacks (17th), Mills Creek Hawks, GA (HM), and Carolina Angels, NC (HM) solidified this team’s top 25 ranking.  On the season the HPCD played in 64 games, winning 52.  The two most notable were against Atlanta rival ECB Astros.  They finished with four championships including the AAU State Tournament.  Defense was their forte as they pitched 15 shutout games and kept their opponents to one run or less 50% of the time.  The same 12 that started the season were the same 12 that played in the last tournament.

25. (20) Parity in Southern California – SoCal Mavericks, winners of the 2007 West USSSA World Series (47-14-2), represented this region at the Elite World Series and finished with a 1-3 record. Every game was close but they just didn’t have enough weapons. Other teams from this area that are at par with the Mavericks include Santa Clarita Redhawks, Slumpbuster winners over the Houston Senators (HM), Chino Hill Storm, San Diego Stars, both teams that have been ranked most of the year, Tides Baseball Club and South Gate Democrats have received HM status, while Walnut Rebels (State Champs – South CA), SoCal Thunder, and Tomateros have shown they can win the big tournaments too.

Honorable Mention:

Cincy Flames (OH)

Germantown Giants (TN)
Shoetiques (TN)
The Future (IL)
Beaumont Gladiators (TX)
Houston Senators (TX)
Region Redbirds (IN)
New Orleans Monarchs (LA)
Mill Creek Hawks (GA)
North Florida Hurricanes (FL)
Vipers Baseball Academy (AL)
Ohio Diamondhawks (OH)
Charlotte Megastars (NC)
Carolina Angels (NC)
Southside Gray Sox (GA)
Mac-N-Seitz Indians (KS)
Greensboro Tar Heels (NC)
Cincy Flames (OH)
St Pete Hurricanes (FL)
Miami Enforcers (FL)
Bullets Gold (FL)
Oklahoma Jammers (OK)
Metairie Rangers (LA)
Omaha Pacesetters (NE)

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