Updated 4/15/09

1. Team Rawlings Elite (CA) – A combination of core players from the defending National Champions OC Hawks and from the OC Stars will make up the roster for Team Rawlings in 2009.  Early season qualifier for the Elite 32 with a win at the California Thanksgiving Super NIT.  There is little doubt this club will be in the upper echelon of the Nation’s 14U teams in 2009.  Top players include Jayson Balades, Chris Chinea, J. P. Crawford, David Fletcher, Jeremy Martinez, Jeremy Witt, & Jake Schultz.

2. East Cobb Astros (GA) – Many players who migrate into the Nations’ top 14U-18U Program do so at 14U.  Astros 14U Head Coach Dave Roberts' 2009 Astros team has to 10 players on the squad new to the ECB program including Josh Hart (Ga. Bandits), Trent Simpson (Rocket City Stingers), Tony Hunter (S. Effingham), Parker Johnson (Ga. Bandits), and David Mayo (Ga. Bandits). Only eight players from the 2008 13U Astros (TBS # 5 Natl. Rank) made the 14U squad. The 14 Astros won the USSSA 14U Elite 24 in 2006 and 2007 and look to begin a new streak in 2009.  The Astros are 17-1 on the season thus far and have outscored their opponents 215-23.

3. Team Anderson (CA) – Team Anderson made it to the  Finals at the Elite 24 in 2008 and looks to have assembled another quality squad for 2009.  Great talent led by Arturo Vidro, Nick Osuna, Eric Hutting, Zach Wiese, Marcus Greene & Timmy Lopes.

4. Team Alabama (AL) – The core of the former Rocket City Stingers Club (TBS #2 Rank 13U 2008). Team Alabama will be one of the top teams in the 14u age group in 2009.  Should get cranked up in late April following school baseball.

5. Banditos Black (TX) –150+ game winning streak came to an end at the Elite 24 in 2008 and there have been rumors of player departures but TBS believes the Banditos will still put a very talented group on the field in 2009.

6. Hanover Heat (VA) – The biggest surprise at the Elite 24 in 2008. Lost a tough one run game to Team Anderson in the semi-finals or this team would have been playing for a national title. Best players return for what should be a great year in 2009 for the Heat.

7. Michigan Crush (MI) – Formerly MSA Black.  Top Michigan team should make a run for a top National finish in 2009.

8. Indiana Prospects (IN) – Great team from up-and-coming program that is doing very good things in the mid-west and beyond.  Rumored to have a very deep pitching staff with several new additions to the club.

9. NorCal Baseball (CA) – NorCal 14U teams are always able to compete with the top teams in the country and this year will be no different.  Playing without a lot of their every-day players, NorCal qualified for the Elite 32 recently with a 3rd place finish at the Arizona Super NIT.

10. D-Bat Mustangs (TX) – Quality team that has been formed from the core of several good 13U North Texas teams from 2008.  Showed well at the Arizona Super NIT recently despite a loss in the Championship game.  Like NorCal and most teams at 14U – awaiting return of many players who are participating in school baseball.

11. All-American Sports Academy (CA) -  Should battle NorCal for the top team in Northern California in ’09.  Team played well in late Fall and winter events capturing the title at the MLK SUPER NIT and thus qualifying for the Elite 32.

12. ARK-LA-TEX Tornado (AR) -  TBS ranked #7 at the end of the ’08 13U season and played very well at the Elite 24 tying the Banditos Black early and starting 3-0-1 before tough losses to Team Anderson and the Banditos Gold squad.  TBS has heard that the team will crank up after school ball is completed and that the Tornados will participate in some major national events.

13. SWFL Yardawgs (FL) -  What looks to be one, if not the top team in the Sunshine State in ’09.  Showed well at the Triple Crown Fall Nationals capturing event title.

14. Gulf Coast Outlaws (TX) -  The Outlaws are made up of the majority of last year’s Banditos Gold team which finished 5th at the Elite and 6th in the final TBS Rankings.  The Banditos Gold 13U were one of the big surprises at last year's Elite, but won’t be sneaking up on anybody this year.

15. Utah Horns (UT) – While Utah teams have not traditionally been national powers, it looks like the Horns may have a chance to change that in ’09.  The Horns played very well in early season Super NIT events posting good finishes at the Winter Nationals and MLK Super NIT.

16. Chandler Reds (AZ) – Another team that has good early season showing at big events capturing the championship at the Winter Nationals.  Won the Arizona USSSA State Title in ’08 as 13’s and looks to expand their trophy case in ’09.

17. San Diego Stars (CA) – It’s not a big surprise that California looks to be loaded with very good 14U teams in 2009 and the Stars are definitely in that mix.  Coming from a program with a lot of history, the Stars have shown well in early season play at the West Coast Super NIT’s.

18. West Covina Bombers (CA) – Another strong Southern California team that showed well at early season Super NIT events.  TBS hears this team is very improved from its 13U 2008 squad and should make some noise in SoCal in 2009.

19. Bullet Baseball (LA) – TBS is hearing very good things from this organization that has had some success at the 14U age level over the past few years.  Team had a good 13u ’08 campaign with an appearance at the Elite 24 where they played some close games with a very tough schedule.

20. Texas Blackhawks (TX) – Recently won the Nations Baseball Elite Travel classic where the Hawks avenged an earlier pool play loss to the D-Bat Mustangs.  Also had a quality win over the Dallas Tigers. Numerous  players on roster that played with other very good Texas teams in 2008 including the Texas Tornado (13U Elite 24 participant).

21. Dallas Tigers (TX) – Another quality Texas club from a tradition-rich program.  Look for the D-Bats, Blackhawks and Tigers to fight it out for supremacy in North Texas in 2009.

22. Knoxville Stars (TN) – The Stars program has been around a long time and is also well-respected.  Look for the Stars to be the top 14U team in the Volunteer State this year.
23. Kentucky Baseball Club (KY) -  A very good team from one of the Nation’s up-and-coming programs.  KBC team have fared very well in older age groups in recent year and look for the 14U club in 2009 to have great success as TBS’ top Kentucky 14U team.

24.  TIE   NC Cleveland Indians (NC)/Predators Orange (NC) – The two top 14U teams in 2009 from the Tarheel State grab the #24 spot.  Both teams are participating in the North Carolina Super NIT on April 17 which should give TBS a basis to break this deadlock.

25. Club AllStar 14U (CA) – This Northern California team that has posted impressive wins over Team Anderson (TBS #3) and All-American Sports Academy (TBS #11) round out the TBS pre-season top 25.

Honorable Mention

CC Elite (CO)
Ohio Heat (OH)
Indiana Bulls (IN)
Indiana Bandits (IN)
Memphis Tigers (TN)
Tri-State Arsenal (NJ)
Memphis Travelers (TN)
Mac-n-Seitz Indians (KS)
St. Louis Rawlings A’s (MO)
NC Cleveland Indians (NC)
Louisiana Tigers (LA)
S. Carolina Heat (SC)
Capital City Bombers (MO)
Dulin’s Dodgers (TN)
South Oakland A’s (MI)
East Cobb Titans (GA)
Diamond Club Cannons (AL)
Alabama Seminoles (AL)
Chicago White Sox Elite (IL)
Blizzard BB Academy Blue (MN)
Team Orlando (FL)Texas Stampede (TX)
Diamond Club Cannons (AL)

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