The Elite 24 begins this Sunday, August 3rd in Orlando, FL.  This prestigious event includes a stacked lineup in the 12U division.  Several teams have a legitimate shot at earning the National Championship rings. 

The favorite is the Banditos Black from Houston, TX.  The Banditos are explosive and can light up the scoreboard.  Their defense was improved by adding Bryce Packard in the middle infield.  Their pitching staff includes four pitchers who can shut anyone down on any given day. 

The HB Nitro Elite team from Huntington Beach, Ca may have the best chance of knocking off the powerful Banditos Black.  The Nitro will bring a very fundamental defensive team lead by short stop Matt Jervis.  This team does all of the little things offensively and defensively to win games.  They strengthened their pitching rotation by adding to their already strong pitching staff.  The Nitro team are playing tough as they were last defeated by ace pitcher Mitchell Webb and crew of the Paulding County Vipers at the Elite Travel Classic tournament held at the East Cobb complex back in April. 

Team Rawlings from Lakeland, FL has one of the best 12U pitchers in the country in Logan Browning.  When Logan is zoned in he is almost untouchable.  Team Rawlings dominated Cooperstown Dreams Park in week #5 in what is considered the most competitive week at Dreams Park to date in 2008.  Team Rawlings has landed David Boyle from the Jax Storm Black team to go with their already strong pitching staff and line up. 

The Mississippi based Terminators are another team that will bring a very fundamental and well-coached team to Disney.  The Terminators have cooled off a little from where they began the year but the players and coaching staff seem eager to challenge for the title.  History shows the Terminators know how to win games so don't take them lightly. 

The American Avengers from Houston, TX also has one of the best 12U pitchers in the country in Jacob Barfield.  This Avenger team will show they belong with the best. 

The Paulding County Vipers from Dallas, GA is another strong contender.  This team is very unique as all of the Vipers players live within a bike ride distance from each other.  This is very special in the travel baseball world, as you don’t see many teams who can compete at a national level as a local team.  With a couple of roster additions, the boys from the peach state of Georgia have a shot as well.

Travel Ball Select has recognized 21 of the 24 teams competing in this years Elite 24 (12U division).  TBS has 15 of the teams ranked in their top 25 and 6 teams listed as Honorable Mention teams.  The teams ranked are:  1. Banditos Black, TX; 2. HB Nitro Elite, CA; 3. Terminators, MS; 4. Team Rawlings, FL; 5. American Avengers, TX; 6. Paulding County Vipers, GA; 9. Norwalk Stingrays, CA; 10. Central FL Sting, FL; 12. Dallas Tigers, TX; 14. Team Anderson, CA; 15. BV Reds, PA; 16. SV Yankees, CA; 17. North Georgia Bombers, GA; 18. Thibodaux Terror, LA; 22. SV Bulldogs, CA.  The Honorable Mention teams are:  Extreme, SC; Jackson Coyotes, TN; Rocky Mtn Armour, CO; Charlotte Megastars, NC; Oklahoma Stixx, OK; and Houston Banditos, TX.

This will be an exciting week of baseball played in the heat and humidity at Disney to see who will be crowned the National Champion.  Stay tuned to TBS from Florida, as updates will be posted.

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