1. Team Alabama – Elite 24 National Champions - with wins over TBS ranked teams, Demarini (16), Banditos (5) and a shut out of number 3 Central Texas Raiders in the final. Showed well at The Battle in the South with 3rd place finish and won the Birmingham Super NIT, with wins over TBS ranked Memphis Tigers(9), East Cobb Astros(2) and Honorable Mention Homeplate Chili dogs. TA had to test their metal again in the Alabama state championship, beating TBS ranked Alabama Storm (21) twice only by one run. TA was led by TBS All-Americans David Dahl and Nick Masonia.

2. East Cobb Astros – The Astros have a legitimate argument for the #1 spot.  Battle in the South Champion as well as Perfect Game WWBA 14U National Champs, which they had to beat one of TBS’s Honorable Mention - East Cobb Yankees in the Semi finals. Finished with a 14U record of 62-4 with wins over TBS Honorable Mention Dulins Dodgers and Homeplate Chili Dogs and a big win over Team Alabama (1) in a World Series Qualifier by one run in the final.

3. Central Texas Raiders – Elite 24 Runner up.  Played a tough schedule all year that paid off at the Elite 24. Two big wins over the Nitro Elite(4). Also defeated NorCal (12) at the Elite 24.

4. Nitro Elite – The Elite were as good as advertised. This team was definitely one of the better teams in this age group.  Just a little bit more chemistry and the Elite could’ve challenged for the top spot.

5. Houston Banditos – Showed at the Elite 24 that they are indeed one of the nation’s top clubs. The Banditos didn’t attend some of the major national tournaments during the course of the season, but it didn’t seem to affect them too much at the end of the year.  As solid as any team out there. 

6. Panteras – Do not have much playing time in tournaments covered by TBS, but that does not mean this is  not a very talented ball club, they had big wins over ranked teams in the Elite 24, beating the Cyclones (24) and the number 2 and 3 teams East Cobb Astros and the Central Texas Raiders respectively.

7. Dallas Tigers - The Tigers didn’t finish like they wanted to but had a great year regardless.  Runner-up at the Battle in the South and a very solid club from top to bottom.

8. Houston Heat – The Houston Heat were definitely one of the top teams in 2008 but had too many football players to travel to the Elite. Nevertheless, the Heat are still deserving of a top 10 spot. 

9. Memphis Tigers – The Tigers played very tough all year long and it definitely paid off at Disney.  The Tigers surprised everyone at the Elite by advancing to the semifinals before falling to the Central Texas Raiders (3).

10. Tampa Bay Warriors –AAU National Champions. The Warriors were a very balanced team with solid hitting and pitching.

11. Virginia Wildcats – The Wildcats came out of nowhere to impress at the Perfect Game 14U WWBA National Championship. They finished as the runner-up at this top event. 

12. NorCal - NorCal always seems to put together a solid club year in and year out.  Although they were right in the mix at every major tournament, they just couldn’t put it all together at the national events.  Still one of the nation’s best. 

13. Kentucky Baseball Club – This club just continued to improve all season.  The KBC had a great showing at the Battle in the South.

14. South Florida Snappers – The Snappers also had a great season with a very good showing at the Elite.  Very impressive win over Team Demarini at the end of the year 17-0.

15. Bullet Baseball -  BB busted out this season with some very big wins late and their confidence just continued to grow as the season progressed.  Some key victories included wins over the Dallas Tigers and the Memphis Tigers.

16. Team Demarini – Another solid club from Texas.  Demarini didn’t play as well as they would of liked at the end of the year, but definitely surprised more than a few teams throughout the year.

17. Mckinney Marshals – The Marshals flew under the radar for most of the season, but showed what they were all about with an outstanding showing at the Battle in the South.  Big wins this season over Centex Raiders, Dallas Tigers, and Team Demarini. 

18. Baltimore Buzz – The Buzz have been a solid club for the past few years.  Although very talented, they couldn’t put it all together at the big events.  Regardless, they continue to be very competitive and are always in the mix.

19. Team Anderson – Team Anderson was not at full force for most of the season but still found a way to be competitive.  They are comprised mostly of very talented 14’s that play up.  

20. Aberdeen Arsenal – The Arsenal was another team that not a lot of people heard about, but make no doubt about it this team was for real.  Just ask the Baltimore Buzz as they had some classic battles.  However, outside of the Buzz, they never really ventured out to challenge the nation’s best. 

21. Alabama Storm – The Storm had a solid group this season but struggled with their consistency a bit.  However, they are still worthy of a top 25 ranking. 

22. S.E.M. Pirates – The Pirates represented the state of Michigan during the 2008 season.  One of the most memorable story lines of the season occurred when the Pirates knocked off Team Anderson to claim the Michigan Super NIT.  They continued to impress with a good showing at the Battle in the South.

23. Arizona Landsharks – The Landsharks were another talented team from the West.  This organization will now be known as the Royals Scout Team.  Due to the organization”s changes, they chose to stay home from the Elite, so they weren’t able to prove themselves on the national stage.

24. Cyclones Baseball – The Cyclones were one of the best teams out of Florida this season.  However, they weren’t consistent enough down the stretch to climb the TBS Rankings, but still a very competitive group. 

25. Tampa Cannons – The Cannons were on fire at the start of the season but faded a bit down the stretch before calling it a season.  The Cannons players had to fulfill other obligations late in the season, so the team decided to shut it down early.  Very solid bunch, who could of caused problems for many of the top teams. 

Honorable Mention

Columbus Sharks (OH),  Lamorinda Generals (CA, Virginia Diamonds (VA), PBA Diamond Trotters (OH), Carolina Tar Heels (NC), College Station Stallions (TX), Richmond Braves (VA), 5280 Baseball (CO), Cyclones Baseball (FL), New Jersey Mariners (NJ), Creeks Redwolves (FL), East Cobb Yankees (GA), Central Arkansas Express (AR), Diamond Club Cannons (AL), Louisiana Toros (LA), Blue Springs Classics (MO),  TPX Baseball (TX), Dulin’s Dodgers (AL), STTF Spikes (TX), Carolina Angels (NC), Tri-State Green Wave (VA), South Oakland A’s (MI), Indiana Bulls (IN), California Yankees Black (CA), Beaver Valley Red (PA), Carolina Blue Jays (NC), Washington RIPS Brewers (WA), New York Gothams (NY), Victory Baseball (IL), Scottsdale Storm (AZ), Vegas Heat (NV), Central Florida Tigers (FL), Yorksville Reds (OH), Jumbonos Stix (UT), NH Timbercats (NH), Virginia Aces (VA), Texas Drillers (TX)

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