11U Preview - Elite 24 at Disney this week

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11U Preview - Elite 24 at Disney this week

Despite the constant woes of high airfare and high gasoline cost, this year’s Elite-24 has drawn most of the nation’s top 11U teams from all across the USA. In fact, 17 of the 24 teams competing in this Summer season finale event are currently ranked by TravelBallSelect.com. While other ranked teams also qualified, only a few are not participating in this tournament. In addition to the currently ranked teams, there are a number of other very good teams in this USSSA Elite 24 World Series event. These teams may well prove that they should be ranked among the nation’s very best. Clearly, the outcome of this grand finale Tournament will play a huge factor in, not only, proving which team captures the national title as #1, but also, which teams have earned their spot in the final 2008 regular season Elite Team rankings. TravelBallSelect.com writers will be on hand to bring you the 11U tournament news from start to finish. To get this coverage started, here is a preview of teams that will be challenging for the 2008 Elite-24 national crown.

This preview is listed in the order of USSSA Points, as that order will determine pool play seeding:

1. The Palmetto Flames (SC)– Currently ranked 22nd nationally by TravelBallSelect.com, this team comes to the Elite 24 with enough USSSA points to earn them a top seeding spot. This is derived from a 65-20 record against USSSA teams. They have notable wins against ranked teams, including the Chiefs (GA) and the New Orleans Monarchs, as they won the Atlanta Super NIT to qualify for this event.

2. Inside Sports KC Blues- The Blues come to this event with an overall record of 74-14. They won the KS SNIT and are positioned as a top seed in the Elite 24. They have noteworthy wins over the OK Elite, Armour Baseball (CO), Mac-n-Seitz (KS), Gladiator Baseball (TX). Their key loses came from Texas American Prospects and Ft. Smith Outlaws at the OK Super NIT. In addition, the Blues come to this event with two recent loses to unranked teams that they sustained in the Summer Sizzler tournament. Clearly, the Blues will have to regain the impressive momentum that has earned them a top seed in this event.

3. Pensacola Aquasox– This team comes into this event with the 3rd overall power ranking along with a record of 48-15 against USSSA opponents. Noteworthy wins have come against the NO Monarchs and the Houston Lightning during their championship wins at the “Last Chance Super NIT” where they qualified for the Elite 24. Their key loses have come from the bats of the Alabama Renegades, Alabama Naturals, Home Plate Chili Dogs (GA), as well as, the NO Monarchs – a team that has beaten them 2x. Clearly, this Aquasox team has many talented athletes. If they play at peak consistency, they can challenge at this event.

4. New Orleans Monarchs– This team comes into this event with an overall record of 54-12. They are the Louisiana State Champions. The Monarchs have key wins against the Metairie Rangers, North Alabama Giants, and the Pensacola Aquasox. Their key loses came at the bats of the Metairie Rangers in the Thibodaux Classic, the RBA Seahawks (TX), and the Pensacola Aquasox at the Last Chance Super NIT. The core athletes on this team have played together since 2005. This consistency makes them are a team that can’t be taken lightly.

5. Houston Lighting– This team comes into this event ranked #5 by TravelBallSelect.com and also by USSSA Points. They won 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 by outscoring the competition 68-3 in six games including 1-0 win against top ranked Inside Sports. This is not unusual as they have beaten their ranked counterparts in Houston only to let their guard down and lose to weaker teams. If they bring their “A” game, one can look for the Lighting to challenge every team they face down the stretch of this tournament.

6. Gladiator Baseball– this team comes to Disney with an overall record of 80-30 with key wins over the OK Elite, ARMOUR Baseball, Metairie Rangers, and the RBA Seahawks. Their key loses have come at the bats of the Houston Angles, TEAM Rattlers, Texas Prospects Americans, Houston Lightning, Inside Sports KC Blues, and the RBA Seahawks. One factor that can skew how good this team really is derives from the fact that this is the 1st year that many of these athletes have played together. However, they have added key players that could give then added power, depth, and consistency in this tournament. This is a good team that deserves to be here.

7. The Alabama Naturals travel into this event with an overall record of 44-10 during 2008 calendar year of play. They are the 2008 Alabamastate champions and are ranked by TravelBallSelect.com at #23 nationally. The Naturals have several wins over good Alabamateams including the Renegades, North Alabama Giants, the Hoover Bucs, and Viper Academy. While they have beaten some good Alabamateams, they have limited play against quality teams outside the state. However, they recently recorded a 9-6 win over the Pensacola Aquasox at the ASP Beach Blast NIT. One thing for sure is that this team will compete from the opening pitch to the last out.

8. ARMOUR Baseball– this team comes to the Elite 24 ranked #12 nationally by TravelBallSelect.com with an overall record of 50-7. This is a team that is gaining confidence as they have won 19 of their last 20 games. They have played a number of 12U teams and a recent sweep of a 12U tournament brings their 12U record to 16-3. Their two (one run) loses to the Inside Sports (ranked #9) in the semis of two SNITs coupled with their championship win against the Lightning in another SNIT proves this team will be tough at the Elite 24.

9. TABU– this is an outstanding team that TravelBallSelect.com ranks at #2 nationally. They bring an overall record of 86-20 into the Elite 24. This record includes 13 total championships along with 8 tournament championships and a record of 53-14 and against 12U competition. TABU was recently crowned the 11U CA State Champs (battling back after suffering a loss to 7th ranked Lamorinda Cougars in Pool Play). 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. They defeated the likes of Florida Fire, Chiefs Baseball (twice), VA Storm and Viper Baseball Academy (AL) while losing once to the Astros and Fire. Look for this team to challenge for the Elite 24 championship.

10. The North Alabama Giants come into this event with a record of 43-28. The Giants bring a long tradition and history as a quality baseball club with wins over the Knoxville Stars while losing 8-7 in a thriller versus the CHIEFS (GA) in the Tennessee Super NIT finals.

11. The Florida Fire, ranked as high as #3 nationally continues to impress – though they lost a squeaker to the EC Astros and later were eliminated from the AAU Nationals by a quality Hawaii Warriors team during late July play. Still, the Fire is a very good team. They have collected nine tournament championships this season with two of their trophies coming against 12U competition. If this team is playing their peak game, they can be trouble for any opponent they face.

12. RBA Seahawks (TX) – This team had a strong showing in Texas South State Tournament by beating the TP Americans (#1) and Team Rattlers (#8) in back to back games before falling to the Lightning (#5) in third game of the day against a top 10 team. Any team that can do this is a fierce competitor.

13. The Houston Angels- The Angels were the 2007 Elite 24 Runner-up. They qualified for this year’s Elite World Series by winning the Carolina Super NIT. They travel into Disney with a record of 46-11 that includes wins against RBA Seahawks and a tie versus the Houston Lightning. Also, this team finished fourth in the 12U Triple Crown Slump Buster - a week long tournament held in Omaha. One can always expect to have their hands full when playing this team.

14. Texas Prospects Americans (TX)– This team is currently ranked #1 by TravelBallSelect.com. They come to Disney with an overall record of 70-10-2, including a 43 game win streak. They have been one of the most consistent teams in the

while playing in a very competitive region. The Texas Prospects Americans qualified for Elite World Series at the Oklahoma Super NIT by defeating Houston Lightning, Inside Sports and Ft. Smith Outlaws – all ranked teams. Other key wins include victories over the Gladiators (TX), Rattlers (TX), RBA Seahawks (TX), and the Houston Angels. To show how competitive their region of play is, their key losses have also come from teams they have also beaten them; namely, the Houston Lightning, RBA Seahawks, Texas Rattlers, and the Gladiators. This team can win it all – if they come with their best game.

15. The OK Jammers– This team travels to Disney with a record of 35-15 against USSSA opponents. The Jammers qualified for the Elite World Series by beating the Rock Hounds (WI) by a score of 9-0 in the Super Elite NIT. Much of their play has been against Oklahoma teams. Their key loses have come against ranked teams such as Houston Lighting.

16. Lamorinda Cougars Baseball– In addition to an impressive season versus 11U opponents, these Cougars sport a 36-14-1 record against the older boys and a 37-4 record against teams in their age. The Cougars out scored TABU (giving TABU half of their six loses against 11U teams) in pool play of the State Tournament before falling to a non ranked team during the championship round. Lamorinda won their Elite 24 berth early by beating the San Diego Stars in the 2007 Thanksgiving Super NIT. Don’t be fooled by their record since much of their play has come with victories against 12U teams. They are clearly a top contender to take home the Disney Elite Crown.

17. Team Rattlers (TX)– The Rattlers were the 2007 Elite 24 World Series champs. This season, they have mostly played up against 12U Majors and have experienced little trouble against 11’s. However, recently they have shown signs of being vulnerable to the top ranked teams (T.P. Americans, Houston Lightning, and RBA Seahawks). This could be a mental let down after they have become accustomed to playing at the 12U level. Make no mistake about it – This Team has power galore and a strong pitching staff. This combination usually spells trouble. They are ranked by TravelBallSelect.com at #8 nationally, but they may well be much better than this ranking. They are coming to Disney as a top contender.

18. Chiefs Baseball (GA)– This team continues to pile up the victories, 64 against 11U teams, while only having 7 loses (all to TBS ranked teams). In addition, they have a 16-6 record against 12U teams. They won the GA state USSSA title by beating the ECB Astros along the way. Their only blemish was a loss to a much improved and ranked Mill Creek Hawks (GA). In the tournament of Champions, they fell twice to the third ranked TABU team while beating four ranked opponents: North Florida Hurricanes, Bullets Gold (FL), Greensboro Tarheels (NC) and Shoetiques (TN).  19. MacombMudhens (MI)– this team comes to Disney ranked #15 nationally with an overall record of 45-9. This record includes a string of 17 straight wins with victories over the West Chester Sluggers, PB Baseball, Ohio Storm, and the Pony Express (IN) – all very good teams! The Mudhens only lost to three teams in their age group - and these teams were all ranked. Their second place finish at Michigan SNIT has them returning to the Elite World Series as a challenging opponent.

20. Metairie Rangers (LA)– this team brings an overall 20-16 record. They have quality wins over the New Orleans Monarchs as they won the Thibodaux Classic. However, the Monarchs got revenge with a 7-1 victory over these Rangers in the championship game of the North Shore Classic – an event recently held in Louisiana.

21. The Simi Predators– this is a team that has not played a lot of games, yet their play has been impressive enough to earn them a national ranking of #13. The Predators play in the 12U Bronco division (Pony League) and have not played a tournament since March. Predators have a history of showing up for the big events and doing well. Team has improved their record to 33-9-2 while playing up against 12U competition in 4 of their 9 tournaments (winning the last one). Four of their five 11U tournaments rank as some of the hardest events in the country. They are one of a handful of teams to have played in three SNITs along with another national event (The Super Series Winter Championship). They qualified for the Elite World Series with a second place finish at the Presidents Day Super NIT. This achievement came after winning the Super Series Winter Nationals (as The Inside Pitch Elite). This former USSSA National Champion is expected to do well at Disney.

22. West Chester Sluggers- This Cincinnati team has 40 wins in forty three games. One of their three loses was to the ECB Astros (2-1 record in B.I.T.S. tournament before rains came). They come to Disney ranked by TravelBallSelect.com at #14 nationally. They earned their berth to Disney after winning the Michigan SNIT. The Sluggers also have wins over Honorable Mentioned Regional Redbirds (IN) and fifteenth ranked Macomb Mudhens (MI). Their only loss came during a rain shorten game (3 innings) to the Diamond Hawks (OH) an Honorable Mentioned team.   This is a good team that can contend at Disney.

23. Bear Valley Red (PA) – this team is largely an unknown as they have played only a few games posting a 6-5 record. Still, they have been impressive as they reached the finals of two Super NIT tournaments – first with a 17-2 loss to Houston Angels, and a close 14-12 loss to Michigan Sports Academy. This loss occurred in the finals of the Memorial Day Super NIT, but it was enough to earn their berth to Disney. As this team gains more experience playing together, look to them as a worthy challenger that can not be taken lightly.

24. So Cal Mavericks– while this team is ranked 24th in terms of USSSA earned points, they are ranked at #19 by TravelBallSelect.com.   These MAVs bring a record of 46-11-2. They qualified for the 2008 Elite World Series by winning the 2007 West World Series.   Their record and ranking shows that they are capable competitors. So, don’t let their 24th placement fool you. This is a quality team.

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