1. East Cobb Astros (GA) – The Astros are once again loaded with talent.  Champions of the GA 15U USSSA State Championship, the Battle in the South, and runners-up at the Perfect Game WWBA earns the Astros the top spot.

2. Team Alabama (AL) – TA is another team that’s loaded with talent.  Winners of two Super NIT’s and an impressive run at the Battle in the South moves TA up a couple of spots.  Strong pitching staff led by TBS Players to Watch Victor Cole and Jackson Stephens.

3. Team Rawlings Elite (CA) – The Elite are another very talented team in this age group.  Led by TBS All-American Jayson Balades, this team can play with anyone.  Will return to Disney to defend their 2008 Elite Championship.

4. All-American Sports Academy (CA) – This team seems to get stronger as the season matures.  Recently captured the So Cal State Championship with wins over the West Covina Bombers, San Diego Stars, and Team Rawlings Elite.  Also added TBS PTW Hunter Mercado.

5. Houston Banditos (TX) – The Banditos usually play up for the majority of their season, but have struggled a little more than usual lately.  However, TBS knows what this team is capable of and expects them to be right in the mix down the stretch.
 
6. Texas Blackhawks (TX) – The Blackhawks are a very tough team from the talent rich state of Texas.  So far, they have big wins over D-Bat Mustangs Blue/Southwest, the Garland Cubs, and the Dallas Tigers.  TBS still wants to see what this group is capable of in a major national tournament. 

7. Dulins Dodgers (TN) – Recently won the Perfect Game WWBA Championship, while being led by TBS PTW Chase Hamilton and Brett Hanewich.  Nothing too flashy about this group, but don’t be fooled because they can get the job done.D-Bat Mustangs Southwest (TX)– The Mustangs are one of many quality teams from the state of Texas.  Very strong showing at the Texas Super NIT which included wins over the Dallas Tigers and the Louisiana Tigers.  The Mustangs also beat the Texas Blackhawks earlier this season.   

8. D-Bat Mustangs Southwest (TX) – The Mustangs are one of many quality teams from the state of Texas.  Very strong showing at the Texas Super NIT which included wins over the Dallas Tigers and the Louisiana Tigers.  The Mustangs also beat the Texas Blackhawks earlier this season. 

9. NVTBL Stars (VA) – The Stars have jumped right into the top 10 and on everyone’s radar with their impressive runner-up finish at the Battle in the South.  This team will get after you from start to finish and can really swing the bats.  TBS will be watching the Stars down the stretch.

10. Dallas Tigers (TX) – Another solid team from Texas that just flat out competes.  The Tigers are still looking to be a little more consistent in the big games, but they’re always in it till the end.  TBS will keep a close eye on the Tigers down the stretch.   

11. Gulf Coast Outlaws (TX) – The Outlaws will once again look to make a run down the stretch similar to what they did in 08’ as the Banditos Gold.  Don’t under estimate this group.  The Outlaws also have one of the top pitcher’s in the 14U age group in TBS PTW Dylan Ebbs.

12. Team Anderson (CA) – TA is a very solid team with talented players, but their recent struggles at the Battle in the South drops them a few spots this week.  TBS knows that TA likes to play kids up, so they’re a tough team to judge strictly by the rankings.  This organization has a solid reputation for producing great talent, so you know they’ll be tough anytime you face them.   
  
13. Hanover Heat (VA) – The Heat are a very solid team that has struggled a bit in the major tournaments, but they are always in the mix.  TBS expects the Heat to finish strong down the stretch, while being led by TBS Players to Watch Jason Hager and Ben Nolan.
   
14. D-Bat Mustangs Blue (TX) – There are so many good teams in this age group from, Texas this year and it seems like each of the top Texas teams have beaten the others at some point making ranking these teams difficult.  The D-Bat Blue team has played well all year with big wins over Texas and other highly rated TBS teams.

15. Indiana Prospects (IN) – The prospects have been a little up and down all year but have played very well of late with a good showing at the Battle in the South (3rd) and a championship at the Michigan Super NIT.

16. Utah Horns (UT) – The Horns had some impressive showing at early-season events and have quietly posted a very good record on the year.  The Horns also recently captured the Colorado Super NIT crown.

17. Nor Cal (CA) – Year in and year out Nor Cal has been one of the very best programs at the 14u age group in the country.  This well-respected program should finish very strong again in 2009 and look for a strong finish from this club at the Elite-32.

18. SWFL Yardawgs (FL) – The Yardawgs and Team Orlando (TBS #25) appear to be the top teams in the Sunshine State in 2009.  The Yarddogs have played consistent baseball for most of the year with the highlight being the Triple Crown Fall Nationals and their win at the Pensacola Super NIT.

19. BLBA Texas Stampede (TX) – The Stampede is another very strong Texas team that rounds out a list of 7 Texas teams in the TBS top-25.  The Stampede are well-coached and have aggressive hitters and very good pitching and recently played very well against the Astros in a tough loss at the WWBA Perfect Game National Championship.

20. NC Cleveland Indians (NC) – One of the most physically talented teams seen by TBS all year the Indians have proved themselves the class of teams on tobacco road in 2009. Although the Indians have not played well in big games at big events, they could surprise a lot of folks at the Elite 32.

21. Club All-Star (CA) – Club All-Star has battled with NorCal and All-American Sports all year for supremacy in Northern California and have posted wins on the season over higher ranked teams including Team Anderson and All-American Sports Academy. At press time, Club All-star’s post-season intentions were unknown.

22. East Cobb Titans (GA) – The Titans are another team that has played very well at times and not so well at other times.  However, the Titans did post a couple of big upset wins over the Astros early in the season and have assembled a very good club with several players that will have chances to be impact guys at the East Cobb program in years to come. 

23. Alabama Seminoles (AL) – The Seminoles may not be as talented on paper as other top deep south teams such as the Astros or Team Alabama, but they make up for it in how they play the game  - very hard for 7 innings.  This club is one of the grittiest groups seen by TBS all year and fully deserve inclusion as a top-25 team.

24. Louisiana Tigers (LA) – The Tigers have not shied away from competition all year and, while taking some losses, have also posted big wins over higher ranked teams.  The Tigers are a perennial participant at the Elite 24 and look for the club to pull off some upsets there this year as they normally do.

25.  Team Orlando (FL) – Team Orlando is another club that has been up and down for a lot of the year.  They recently breezed through the Columbus Super NIT with big wins over the Indiana Prospects and NVTBL Stars, but also recently did not play well at all at the Battle in the South.  Elite 24 participant and could make some waves on their home turf.

Honorable Mention

Chandler Reds (AZ)

South Farmington Blues (MI)

West Covina Bombers (CA)

Louisiana Lugnuts (LA)

Sandy Plains Wildcats (GA)

Knoxville Stars (TN)

Michigan Crush (MI)

South Carolina Heat (SC)

West Florida Panthers (FL)

San Diego Stars (CA)

Florida Flash (FL)

Kentucky Baseball Club (KY)

East Cobb Braves (GA)

Garland Cubs (TX)

Tri-State Arsenal (NJ)

Mac-n-Seitz Indians (KS)

Cincy Flames (OH)

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