1. Norwalk Stingrays – CA - Rudy Casillas's Norwalk Stingrays from Norwalk California started the 2008 season as the #1 TBS ranked team in the nation.  From the beginning they cleaned house in the rich talented area of Southern California by winning two Super NIT’s back to back beating the best teams on the West coast.  As the season went on they dropped some games to the HB Nitro Elite, Team Anderson and the SC Spartans.  These losses may have been the spark they needed because the Stingrays added quality players to join their already very talented and well coached team for the Elite 24.  During the Elite the Stingrays beat the Paulding County Vipers, Charlotte Hurricanes, Team Rawlings (twice), HB Nitro Elite, Terminators and the Banditos Black.  The Stingrays players and coaches always show class on and off of the field.  When they step on the field they are all business.  They respect the game and play very hard doing everything it takes to win.  They have very good pitching led by Tyler Alamo, a solid defense, lots of speed and can hit from top to bottom of their line up.  Congratulations from TBS to Edgar Morales for receiving the Elite tournament MVP and Raymond Henderson the Elite offensive tournament MVP and to all of the players, coaches and families of the Norwalk Stingrays for earning the #1 spot in the 2008 12U Final Rankings.

2. Banditos Black – TX - TBS has described Robert Deleon's team all season as the biggest and most powerful team in the country and there are no better words to describe them than that.  The Banditos Black 12U team can hit with most 13U teams so it was no surprise to see four, five or even six different kids hit homeruns in any given game.  The Banditos hit with power whether it be at a local tournament in Texas or at a national tournament such as Orlando.  At the Elite the Banditos Black team fell one game short of earning the big trophy.  They had to play the Norwalk Stingrays in a slug fest type game and came up one run short.  Congratulations from TBS to Cameron “Big Mac” Miller for earning the Elite tournament defensive MVP and to all of the players, coaches and families in Black for earning the #2 spot in the 2008 12U final rankings.

3. Terminators - MS - This Southeastern team earned high rankings early in the season as they came out of the tank hot in 2008 by dominating a couple of Super NIT’s and the TBS Elite Travel Classic tournament.  This Terminator team has shown all season a very solid defense, good pitching and a lot of heart.  While at the Elite this well coached Terminators team gave up a total of 13 runs, half of the number of runs allowed by the next lowest team.  However they did fall short to the Champs in the semi finals 5-3 by allowing 4 runs early in the first inning.  The Terminators stranded many base runners throughout the course of the game.  The third place finish at the Elite proves this Terminators team is as good as any 2008 12U team in the country.  Congratulations to the players in Black and Yellow as they end the 2008 season as the #1 power ranked team in the country and the #3 TBS ranked 12U team.

4. Team Rawlings – FL- Team Rawlings from Lakeland Florida traveled to Cooperstown Dreams Park for week #5 and completely dominated what TBS feels has been the most competitive week to date in 2008 with the exception of the NATC Championship week.  They also earned a fifth place finish at the Elite with both losses coming from the Elite Champions Norwalk Stingrays.  Team Rawlings roster consists of some very good players such as left handed pitcher Logan Browning and catcher Willies Estrada.  These two are not the only players on the roster that can get it done as the entire Team Rawlings roster play hard and know how to win baseball games.  They have once again proved in 2008 just as they did in 2007 that they belong with the top teams.

5. HB Nitro Elite – CA - The Nitro from Southern CA came into the Elite as one of the hottest teams and one of the favorites to win it all.  The Nitro had earned this by not losing a game since the Elite Travel Classic held at East Cobb, GA back in April.  The Nitro proved their dominance by beating the Norwalk Stingrays a couple of times just before they headed to Orlando.  This Nitro team is a well respected and well coached team that is full of talent.  While the boys in Blue and White were at the Elite tournament their bats surprisingly went quiet as a team.  Don’t let their finish change your opinions of them because TBS will assure you that Wes Etheridge's team will be back.  The Nitro will be better, more fundamental than ever and hungry to challenge for the 2009 championship.

6. American Avengers - TX - After a great 2008 season, the Avengers probably did not finish at the Elite where many felt they should have.  This team was led on the mound by one of the nations best right handed 12U pitcher Jacob Barfield.  The Avengers final results at the Elite are not a true picture of what this team is about.  They have proven all season they belong at the top of the rankings.  The Avengers are a much respected organization from the lone-star state.  They have the tools it takes to win big games.  Remember the name American Avengers because with the leadership of coaches and players already in place they will be back in 2009 as 13's expecting really big performances.

7. Team Miami - FL - This South Florida team had a great 2008 season with an impressive 127 - 2 record.  Their final destination and dreams were interrupted.  Look for this Miami team to have a new name in 2009 with big goals.  When you see these boys at a National or Super NIT, make sure you don’t take them lightly as this team can compete with any 12U team in the United States.

8. Nevada Wildcats - NV - WOW ... This reigning Triple Crown Fall National Championship 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 beaten the TBS #7 ranked Team Miami from Florida, and the TBS #15 previously ranked SV Bulldogs from North California.  While at Dreams Park this year, Wildcats pitcher Michael Blasko showed one of the most impressive pitching outings ever witnessed at Dreams Park.

9. Charlotte Megastars - NC - After a good 2008 season the Megastars showed up in Orlando as one of the surprise teams of the 12U division with an eventual fourth place finish.  One of the highlights at the Elite for the Megastars was beating the #9 Paulding County Vipers before falling to the Banditos Black team in the semi final game.  This Megastar organization is becoming more and more recognized for their efforts and results just as their Elite finish showed.

10. Paulding County Vipers - GA - Although the Vipers had a great 2008 season playing against some of the nations top teams, the finish the Vipers had at the Elite was not what TBS and many others thought it would be. The boys from Dallas, GA will rebound from this and be back in 2009 playing hard and competing against the best once again.

11. Extreme - SC - This very talented South Carolina team impressed many in 2008 with their speed, power, pitching and defense.  They showed up at the Elite ready to battle.  They had a great run knocking off the #6 ranked American Avengers before finally falling to the #3 ranked Terminators from Mississippi earning them a 5th place finish.

12. North Georgia Bombers - GA - This is the one 12U team in 2008 that would not quit which is a compliment to the players and coaches of the Bombers from TBS.  While at the Elite in bracket play the Bombers had the #2 ranked Banditos Black on the ropes before finally losing by one run.  TBS tips their hat to the Bombers for their solid team effort.  At this time TBS is not sure what’s in store for the Bombers in 2009.  Some players may be moving on to different teams but keep your eyes open for these kids because Glen Sutko's boys can play.

13. Jackson Coyotes - TN - The Western Tennessee based Coyotes team is another team that had a great 2008 season ending with a fifth place finish at the Elite.  They are athletic with some very good talent.  TBS is not sure of the Coyotes 2009 plans but look for good things to come.  The Coyotes play locally in the rich talented Memphis, TN area against quality teams.  These players compete week in and week out, so when the 2009 Nationals role around they will be prepared and ready to play.

14. BV Reds - PA - This Beaver Valley, PA 12U team traveled to Cooperstown Dreams Park in 2008 and brought home the gold in week #6.  The Reds defeated a very good Jax Storm Black team 2 – 1 in the title game in a pitching dual between Carrington Bell for the Reds and David Boyle for the Storm.  The Reds also traveled south to Disney in the beginning of August and found themselves in a very tough pool beating the Central Fl Sting and the North Georgia Bombers before eventually being eliminated in very close games against the Banditos Black and North Georgia Bombers.  Brian Smith's Northeast based Beaver Valley organization continues to be one of the most respected and successful organizations in travel baseball.

15. Central Fl Sting - FL - This Sunshine State team played against the top 12U teams in Florida in 2008 and beat them all at some point during the season.  The Sting was also the only team to hand the 2008 Elite champions Norwalk Stingrays a loss during the tournament.  Keep an eye on the Sting in 2009 as they have shown teams during the 2008 season they can beat any one on any given day.

16. Thibodaux Terror – LA – This team may be the biggest surprise team of the 2008 season.  The well liked boys from Southern Louisiana showed up on the radar this year and competed very well with the best teams in the nation.  The Terror coached by former pro player Scott Sanders had his team ready to play every game.  The Terror made a strong showing at Cooperstown Dreams Park week #7 earning a runner-up finish against Ronnie Young’s powerful hitting Miami Force team.  Next season looks very strong for the Terror team as TBS understands they may have a couple of key additions to their already impressive lineup for the 2009 season. 

17. Team Anderson – CA - Charles Chatman’s organization is as well coached and respected as you will find in travel baseball.  Although this team keeps the game simple, these kids play the game with heart and passion.  After what may have been a disappointing Orlando tournament for this team look for these kids to make a serious run at the Cooperstown NATC championship.  Team Anderson’s 12U team finished runner-up in 2007 at the NATC championship and won the NATC championship in 2006 at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

18. SV Yankees – CA – The Yankees made a name for themselves in 2008 by winning some big tournaments in Northern California.  The Yankees solid showing in Orlando was impressive beating some of the top teams such as Team Anderson and competing well against the Megastars and Coyotes.

19. Bulldog Baseball – GA – This Brooks Georgia based team did not make it to what TBS feels is one of the biggest shows in 12U (Elite 24 in Orlando), but they did capture a well deserved win in the prestigious “Battle in the South” tournament held in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee.  The Bulldogs beat the TBS #10 ranked Paulding County Vipers in the championship game 4 -2.  Not only did they win the “Battle in the South” tournament, they competed very well against and beat most of the Southeastern top teams at some point during the 2008 season.

20. Germantown Giants – TN – The Memphis based organization made a name for themselves in 2008 by capturing the Super Series championship rings over the talented SC Spartans in the Giants hometown area of Memphis TN.  The Giants also finished runner-ups in a very tough played game to the South Florida Tsunami at Cooperstown Dreams Park week #3.  Look for more out of this team in 2009 as the Giants organization has been around for a long time knowing how to compete and win ball games.

21. Central FL Red Raiders – FL - The Red Raiders dropped some in the rankings after a disappointing showing at the Sunshine State Super NIT, however they still lead the Southern part of the Sunshine State in power rankings.  Don't let the results of this particular tournament fool you because the Red Raiders are a very talented group of players from Central Florida.  This 12U team has beaten the likes of the TBS #4 ranked Team Rawlings and the TBS #15 ranked Central Florida Sting in 2008.

22. New York Outlaws - NY - The Outlaws organization really turned some heads in 2008.  The Outlaws 12U team showed up at Cooperstown Dreams Park in week #4 and showed out in a big way going undefeated.  The Outlaws beat a very good East Cobb Stallions team in the championship game.  The Outlaws had great pitching and used timely hits to have their name inked as a weekly champion at Dreams Park.  Keep an eye on these boys from Long Island in the future because they are for real.

23. Broward Red Dogs - FL - The Red Dogs play in the talent rich South Florida area.  These kids play daily against such teams as Team Miami, Extreme, Curve and Tsunami.  Travel Ball Select will assure you these players and teams can flat out play.  This Red Dogs 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.  The Red Dogs will be at Cooperstown Dreams Park for the NATC week hoping to play under the lights on the big stage on Thursday night.

24. Dallas Tigers – TX - The always strong and talented Dallas Tigers organization put together a very good 12U team for 2008 and it has shown on the field.  After what may have been a disappointing finish at the Elite for the Tigers they will rebound.  TBS will assure everyone that the Tigers will be ready to compete in the big events in 2009.

25A. Long Beach Dirtbags – CA – The LB Dirtbags were the 2007 Elite 24 11U National Champions who plays week in and week out in the very talented Southern California area. The Dirtbags started the 08 season as a very highly ranked team. Although the Dirtbags had a 08 Elite birth in hand at the beginning of the 08 season they opted to play in the prestigious Cooperstown Dreams Park NATC week instead. Don’t take these team lightly because TBS will assure you that the Dirtbags will show up with a team at Cooperstown that will have all of the tools to claim the big trophy on Thursday night in front of the large crowd.

25B. East Cobb Stallions – GA - The Stallions were the top 12U team playing out of East Cobb in 2008.  They were the runner-ups to the New York Outlaws in week #4 at Cooperstown Dreams Park.  They are a very fundamental team with lots of talent playing in a very tough area each weekend.  TBS is not sure which of these kids may be lost to the East Cobb Astros team in 2009 but watch for these fundamentally sound players in the future as you will here about them for a long time.

Honorable Mention

- Texas Nationals – TX

- Knoxville Stars - TN

- Georgia Crush – GA

- SC Spartans Gold – CA

- TPBA Titans – OH

- SF Extreme - FL

- SV Bulldogs – CA

- Oklahoma Stixx – OK

- Rocky Mtn Armour – CO

- Miami Curve – FL

- NorCal Grizzlies – CA

- Houston Banditos – TX

- Lemount Braves – IL

- Viper Baseball Academy / Rawlings – AL

- Texas Bombers - TX

- SF Tsunami – FL

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form