Updated 07/11/2008

1. Banditos Black - TX - BIG is what describes this 12U team the best . They are the biggest , most powerful 12U team in the country . After winning 2 Supers NIT’s and the always tough state tournament in the Lone Star state the Banditos Black team holds their spot at # 1 . Adding Bryce Packard ( SS ) from the Texas Brewers team to the powerful Bandito Black line up will help their defense in a big way . They are the favorites going to Orlando .

2. HB Nitro Elite - So CA - This 12U team may be the most improved team since the beginning of the season and looks as if they are peaking at the right time . The HB Nitro Elite has taken over and controlled 12U play in Southern California the past couple of months . With very fundamental play , solid pitching , experienced coaching at the highest travel level and a couple very good new additions to the talented line up look for this team to have a legitimate shot at winning the Elite .

3. Terminators - MS - The Terminators have played the toughest schedule of any 12U team in 2008 . Very solid defense and good pitching has earned them the # 3 spot in the TBS summer rankings . With a couple of good additions to the already strong roster the Terminators will play in the Super Series Summer Nationals as a warm up for the Elite . Look for the Terminators to be prepared and ready for their challengers in August .

4. Team Rawlings - FL - This Central Florida team plays against some of the best competition in SE week end and week out . Team Rawlings is a very talented team that posses one of the best 12U left handed pitchers in the country , Logan Browning . But don’t think this is all they have because it is not they have some big sticks , speed , solid defense and some other very good pitching to go along with it . Keep a close eye on this team at the Elite because they have the tools to beat anyone . Team Rawlings dominated a very competitive week 5 at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

5. American Avengers - TX - This is a very well coached Houston Texas team that plays the game heart and respect . From prior games played this year history has shown that when the Avengers pitching ace Jacob Barfield takes the mound they can beat any team in the country . The Avengers have pitching , defense , speed and power so they can beat you in a number of ways on any given day . After a disappointing semi final lose to Team Rawlings at Cooperstown Dreams Park in week 5 the Avengers will be even more determined as they close their season .

6. Paulding County Vipers - GA - The Vipers are a very impressive team in the fact of all of their kids is from the small town of Dallas Georgia . It is not too often that you will find this , especially once you get into the 12U age group . With that being said , the Vipers also have one of the best 12U pitchers in the country , Mitchell Webb - a very athletic hard throwing righty . However don’t overlook the rest of the Vipers players as this community team that has turned into a impressive national threat .

7. Team Miami - FL - Team Miami has done something this year that no other 12U team in the nation has done . The boys from South Florida had won 116 consecutive games , but as they say all things must end sooner or later and Team Miami first lose came in the championship game week # 1 at Cooperstown Dreams Park . Even with the lose the kids have a tremendous amount to be proud of because that is an unbelievable accomplishment . Watch out for this team in next year as they step out to play in more national type tournaments .

8. Nevada Wildcats - NV - WOW ... This reigning Triple Crown Fall National Champions team showed up at Cooperstown Dreams Park week # 1 and showed out in a big way . This did not come as a surprise to many as the Wildcats have beat the TBS # 7 ranked Team Miami from Fl , the TBS # 9 ranked Norwalk Stingrays from SO Cal , the TBS # 15 previously ranked SV Bulldogs from Nor Cal in 2008 . While at Dreams Park this year Wildcats pitcher Michael Blasko showed one of the most impressive pitching outings as ever seen at Dreams Park .

9. Norwalk Stingrays - So CA - The Stingrays have dropped some in the TBS rankings from where they were however don’t think they are ready to lay down . This 12U Southern California team can beat any one on any given day . These kids play very hard and have a ton of talent . Depending on their pick up players for the Elite will be a deciding factor in their outcome .

10. Central FL Sting - FL - After winning the Sunshine State Super NIT this team has earned their right to play with all the big boys in August. This Sting team has very good pitching and sticks ready for the Elite so don’t take them lightly as they will surprise you .

11. Long Beach Dirtbags - So CA - The reigning Elite champions seem to have been idle from big tournaments lately . The Dirtbags have passed on their opportunity to traveling back to Florida for the big one in exchange for the boys to go to the NATC week at Cooperstown Dreams Park in 2008 . When they show up at Cooperstown they will be loaded with strong talent and ready to play under the lights on the big stage , late on Thursday night at Dreams Park .

12. Dallas Tigers - TX - The always strong and talented Dallas Tigers organization has put together a very good 12U team for 2008 and it has shown on the field . The Tigers has been very impressive and earned their right to see Mickey and the gang in August by going undefeated at the Dallas Super NIT . TBS would like to see this team play against some of the Houston based teams more .

13. Jax Storm Black - The Storm has had a very successful 2008 season starting off with a runner up finish at the Triple Crown Fall Nationals by a score of 8-7 to the TBS # 6 ranked Team Miami team , then the Storm continued by cleaning house in Northern part of the Sunshine state and then traveling South and beating the TBS # 10 ranked Central Fl Sting , the TBS #12 ranked Team Rawlings in tournaments in their backyards . The Jax Storm Black will travel to Dreams Park this summer in hopes of a weekly championship . The 2008 season has shown that this team can compete against and beat the top teams .

14. Team Anderson - So CA - This origination produces great baseball teams year after year that plays the game with great respect . This 12U team has stayed steady all year competing week in and week out against the top competition in Southern CA . As everyone knows this state produces an abundance of the top teams year after year so don't expect this Team Anderson team to be any different at the beginning of August because Charles Chapman will have his boys as prepared as they can possibly be . You will see a very fundamental team at the World Series that will throw and catch very well and will play with allot of heart and determination .

15. BV Reds - PA - After playing a tough 2008 schedule the Reds have their birth and have loaded up with some very good pitching to go along with what they already had . This team will be very tough at the Elite due to their pitching depth , fundamentals and great coaching staff . This respectful organization has been around a long time and knows how to compete at the highest level .

16. SV Yankees - Nor CA - The Yankees punched their ticket to the Elite early at the Presidents Day Super NIT and since then have been impressive by going undefeated in winning the Nor Cal State Championship over a very determined All American Sports Academy team . Look for the boys from Nor Cal to be very fundamental when they travel across the nation to do battle against the other top teams in Orlando .

17. North Georgia Bombers - GA - The Bombers cleaned up at the TN Super NIT and it looks like that was the spark that former major league player Glen Sutko , the coach of the Bombers was looking for , since then the Bombers have played much more up to their talent by finishing runner ups to the TBS # 5 ranked Paulding County Vipers in a very closely played championship game of the GA State Tournament . Watch out for this Bombers team because they will be a force later in the summer in Orlando .

18. Thibodaux Terror - LA – The Terror coached by ex major league player Scott Sanders has done a tremendous job with these kids . The Terror was not on the radar at the beginning of the season but after traveling and competing against the top teams in the country the have earned their respect and attention . The boys from the bayou areas of Louisiana will also be ready for Cooperstown and the Elite .

19. Bulldog Baseball - GA - This Georgia team has played in all of the top 12U southeastern tournaments in 2008 . They have been very impressive in doing so , the Bulldogs won the prestigious Battle in the South tournament this year by beating the TBS # 5 ranked team the Paulding County Vipers team 4 -2 in the championship game . The Bulldogs also had a very impressive showing at Cooperstown Dreams Park in week 5 and won the always tough Triple Crown State Championship in Georgia .

20. Central FL Red Raiders - The Red Raiders dropped some in the rankings after a disappointing showing at the Sunshine State Super NIT , however they still lead the South part of the Sunshine State in power rankings . Don't let this finish fool you though because the Red Raiders are a very talented group of kids from Central Florida . This 12U team has beat the likes of the TBS # 4 ranked Team Rawlings and the TBS # 10 ranked Central Florida Sting in 2008 .

21. New York Outlaws - NY - The Outlaws organization is really making a name for them selves in 2008 . The Outlaws 12U team showed up at Cooperstown Dreams Park and showed out in a big way , they went undefeated in week 4 and beat the very talented East Cobb Stallions in the championship game . The Outlaws had great pitching and used timely hits to win the Championship game . Keep an eye on these boys from Long Island because they are for real .

22. SV Bulldogs - Nor CA - The Bulldogs earned their opportunity to see Mickey and the gang by traveling to Colorado and defeating the Rocky Mtn Armour team at the CO Super NIT . The kids from Northern California will now travel across the United States to do battle against the other top 12U teams . They will be ready so don't take them lightly because the Bulldogs will bite you .

23. Broward Red Dogs - FL - The Red Dogs play in the talent rich South Florida . These kids play daily and Travel Ball Select will assure that they can flat out play . This team depends on the fine details of the game to keep them on top day after day . If you run into to the Red Dogs you had better bring you A game with you because if not you will be going home early .

24. Knoxville Stars - TN - The Knoxville Stars organization is as well respected organization as you will find . This 12u team of kids from the Smokey Mountain area is no different they play the game with heart , passion and determination . The Stars will be looking to play on Thursday night at Cooperstown Dreams Park in week 6 .

25. East Cobb Stallions - The Stallions are the top 12U team playing out of East Cobb in 2008 . They are a very fundamental team with lots of talent that plays in very tough area each weekend . Watch these boys in the future because with the fundamentals already in place you will here about them for a long time .

Honorable Mentions

SC Spartans Gold - CA

Georgia Crush - GA

TPBA. Titans - OH

Extreme - SC

Nor Cal Grizzlies - CA

South Florida Tsunami - FL

Jackson Coyotes - TN

Germantown Giants - TN

Arkansas Reds - AR

Charlotte Megastars - NC

Texas Bombers - TX

Oklahoma Stixx - OK

Houston Banditos - TX

Lemount Braves - IL

Miami Curve - FL

Rocky Mtn Armour - CO

Viper Baseball Academy / Rawlings - AL

Miramar Canes - FL

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