After what I consider a down year from D last year I think D is back where it should be and by that I don't mean the teams were bad in D last year, I just mean there wasn't that many teams in D at all last year. Just like E, I do believe that D is pretty wide open this year, but filled with a lot of talented players and teams and should make for some real good C/D tournaments this year, unlike year past. I am really looking forward to watching some great battles from D this year with the depth D has to it and the talent as well.
Top 5
1. Trust Sports: The Defending Class E World Champs are bringing back a total of 8 members from Trust, 5 from Trust/Wicked and 3 from Trust Sports. They added added some veterans to the team from Mush Reloaded, R&L, Toledo Borrachos and collected more E World Champs from Blue Crush as well. When talking to Rod Frazho he told me that this Trust team is the team to beat in D this year, not just hear in Michigan, but Nationally.. He wants the target on their backs, in fact this is his direct quote, "I built this team knowing that teams will want to dethrone us, I look at us with the team with the most talent and most experience" He continues, "Were the world champs, we had to make impacts and I feel like we are the most complete team out there and have around 12 guys on our team that have won world rings, we are the team to beat this year!" Trust has a great team, but they also have great guys on their team. Like I said D is deep and they will be pushed in every tournament they play in this year.
2Detroit'sOwn/Own IT/Elite: BK is back to running DO they way he wants, he has the team he wants, surrounded by guys that no what it means and what it takes to wear the DO. They have a very talented to team this year, with great leaders such as Diggz, Eller, Monster and Kutch, they have their share of rings too, just in case Rod wants to know :). DO vs. Trust match ups should be very interesting and entertaining on the year. BK is more motivated than he has been in years and it looks like he is having fun again, which is definitely will be the key to DO's success..
3.Korody: I think this another team that will definitely compete with Trust, DO and other to win tournaments every weekend. They have a good group of guys that have played and experience higher class ball, which is huge, because it just gives you that much more confidence playing in a lower level, even if there really isn't much differences between the levels. I think Korody will hit with any team in D and definitely will make noise when it counts.
4. Exotic Robotics: Not a lot of people talking about Exotic, but I really like this team a lot and I think they could be one of those sneaky teams before it is all said and done and make a legit run in the big 3. They have added some real nice pieces and they do enjoy playing together and having fun, which is always a good mix to have. B.White and the boys will be in the mix when it counts.
5. Pointe After: I am really interested to see how this team does this year, I believe defensively they should be one of the top teams in D and I think they got a nice mix of guys from Trust/Wicked last year with some players that Donny Wynn brought aboard as well. I do think with the defense Pointe After has you will see the best of Chromy this year pitching..
Other Teams:
Nxt Lvl/Elite: Another team with really good defense as well, this is the mushtube team from last year, but they have made some real nice picks up and they should be competing every weekend and could easily of been in the top 5 listed above. This being their 2nd year in D and with their leadership on the team they should make a nice jump from last season.
Detroit Elite: I don't really know the Apex guys personally, so I don't get the hate on them on the board, their roster looks very legit, I like the pick up of Youngblood and Massey, I believe they will be difference makers at the D level and this team was arguably the 2nd best team in D last year and they will compete hard this year and could very well be right back there this year as well.
Detroit Drama: Shuk always puts together a squad that can compete and have fun, I really haven't heard too much about their pick ups, but I am sure he has something in the works, I know they lost a few guys from last year's team, but by the end of the year I bet Drama will be playing its best ball. I always enjoy watching Shuk play the game, he has fun and gets under people's skin doing it, gotta love it.
Havoc/Larry's Tire: Heard this team was a NSA C team and I believe last year Jim's Beef was sponsored by Larry's Tire as well and I believe if they played a full time utrip schedule last year they could of been the 2nd best team in Michigan, that team flat out hit the ball.
X-Factor: The Factor is making the jump from E to D and there doing it on there own, which is nice to see. I got to talk to Ken a bit Saturday and he said that they really only added 2 or 3 guys, I believe they were Mayhem guys. I am sure they will struggle some at first in D, but they will get it right and compete with the big boys before its all said and done.
Those are really the only D teams I have heard of as of now, but those are 10 solid teams for sure and I am looking forward to seeing the D games this year, definitely should be some fun games to watch. And there definitely will be other teams that are good that I haven't mentioned or don't know about..
Alright, I will see you guys during the season, I forgot why I stopped doing these things, they take forever.. Hopefully I never get this bored again :) Good Luck to everyone!
Big Hoss
This Blog is about Michigan softball, we will be giving weekly Rankings, Predictions and much more all season long.
R.I.P. Mike Keyes
Monday, January 30, 2012
2012 E Pre Season Rankings
Preseason Rankings are always fun, no matter if it is College football or basketball or preseason power ranking in the NFL, MLB, or NBA. They are hardly ever right and there is a reason for that, it tough to rank any team before actually watching the play. Your ranking them on the names that they got, the potential that they have and reputation of the program or team.
The the first time in a long time I do believe E is very wide open, the last handful of years everyone kind of knew who the top 2-3 teams were going to be and as of now I don't see one team that will just dominate E, I think the parity is better than it has been in a long time and you can thank Trust/Wicked for that and not because they won Worlds, but because they finished 13th at E North and that opened up Dooley's to be a national bump up team or they could of been this year's dominate E team.
Top 5:
1. PBR Resurrection: I haven't confirmed anything with Shane, Mike or Mex who are putting this team together, but from what I have gathered and seen. I believe this team is going to be very good in E this year. If your a softball nerd like myself you could see this forming last year at the end of the year. The core group of guys played with Revolution and a few of them have won rings in a higher class, coming into the season with that confidence and swagger is pretty big in E. I have heard rumors of J-Rob joining them and Chris Fillicia those would be two huge pick ups for them and could put them over the top. The biggest thing I like about this team is that is a group of guys that are friends on and off the field and they have played and won together already. Pitching and Defense helps win at any level, but in E it is the main thing that can carry a team, so if they don't have that on their team to start they will struggle, but I am sure they will make the right moves along the way.
2 Aftermath: I give them a slight edge at the 2 spot for now and this is because I think the Gaff's are great leaders and they put together very competitive teams. Again the core of this team has played together for a while now and they have won and done very well at higher levels, it wasn't that long ago that "The Show" now Aftermath was a national bump up team from D to C. Last year I thought they had one of the most underrated infields in E, I thought their problem most of the year was at pitching, they added a pitcher late in the year, but if they haven't added more than that, they could face a lot of the same problems they did last year with the inconsistency at time. I am a fan of Eaves who left for Syndicate and think he is really underrated so we will have to see if Mike Scott and whoever else they added will be enough to put them over the top.
3. Motor City Mutiny: Another impressive roster that was posted on the Mush Board, they definitely have a lot of talent on this team and should be one of the top E teams in Michigan this year. I do think once they start gelling they could be the best team in E before it is said and done. You hear a lot of people say it is the Assault guys from last year, but when I look at the roster I tend to think their main pieces are Trick guys from back in 2010 with some Assault guys to compliment them. Their really shouldn't be any reason why this team don't compete on Sundays, I have heard the ego thing, but I don't buy that, everyone who plays this game has an ego and I do mean everyone. Mutiny has defense, pitching and offense and maybe the best hitter in E this year with big Josh, this kid will be playing up very soon, he is a talent that is just starting to get recognized.
4. Detroit Syndicate: For as much crap as they get on the Mushboard, they are really good guys. Does that make them a really good team? No, but I believe this team is different than last year.. They did lost some talent, but they gain some in return. Opher from Blue Crush who has won world's should be a good leader on this team which is pretty young, they have two very capable pitchers with completely styles of pitching. OF looks fast, overall I would say Syndicate has improved from last year, I did get to watch them play in the Dome tournament against X-Factor and both were very good, close games that they split. As long as they remember its a long season and never get to high with the "ups" of the season and never get too low with the "downs" of the season they will be alright.
Bright Horizon: Again another team with their core players returning, they have some very talented younger players who have been tournament ball for a couple of years now with some veterans mixed in there as well. I thought they dramatically improve last year and I can see that happening again this year.. A concern area my bit pitching, but I don't know who they have picked up or not from last year, but I do know that this team will compete every game and will win their fare share of games this year.
Other Teams:
Lights Out Softball: This team has been around for a few years now and each year they seem to make the right moves towards the end of the season to make a nice run in the final three tournaments, looking at their roster I do believe this is the best roster that they have started off a season with since they have been running this team, they are another team that should definitely compete in E this year and with the right moves along the way could be one of the top teams by the end of the year. Plus they have added some nice pieces that should help them compete against the "top" teams in E right away.
Detroit Riot: Another team that the core has been playing together for a few years now and they were a sneaky team last year, pulling off some nice upsets throughout the year. I do think they will go into this season a lot more confident and that will help them in the close games and against some of the "top" teams in E this year. If they get solid pitching and defense they will be very good this year, their offense should be alright.
MushKings: It looks like a core of the Mushsportz guys and Kings guys have combined for a team this year, which is very cool, both of this teams always support other teams in anyway that they can with fundraisers and area great group of guys. They will definitely have fun this year on the field and they will compete as well, they are one of those teams that you don't want to sleep on because they can get runs in bunches. And like BUM has stated they will make the right moves when it counts.. Mushsportz always had its best team heading into the big 3.
Basers: Here is another team that is talked about on the Mush Board, don't know them personally, but they seem alright. Basers did finish with a higher power rating than Syndicate last year, just wanted to point that out, so if they make the right moves this year they should be alright, can't wait to see them play this year. They were definitely a scrappy bunch last year.
Rock Bottom I actually think this team could be a sleeper this year, again the core has been together for years and they did compete with some of the top teams in E last year, they have solid pitching and defense, the hitting is a bit streaky, but so are most teams in E, I wouldn't be surprised if they finished as one of the top teams in E by the end of the year.
Avengers: I heard this team was built mostly for festivals, but they should be alright in E this year. They have a core of colt .45 guys from a couple of years ago and they were slightly above .500 in class, so as long as Rick Clark don't mess things up they should compete and have fun all year. Villains > Avengers.. FACT!
Agent X: Gotta give the Agent X guys some love on the Big Hoss Report, I honestly don't know a whole lot about this team, but their league lineup page is the best page I have seen from any softball team, simply amazing. Looks like they have been playing together for a few years now and seem to be loyal to their friends, which is a nice change of pace in this softball game. I do remember them competing in some tournaments last year and with this being their 2nd full year in tournament ball and with E being as level as a playing field as it is this year they should have a lot of fun and win games.
Mitten MoundPounders: Don't know them at all, but could we give the new guys some love, they just want to promote their bowling fundraiser and have fun playing ball this summer, they will be jaded soon enough as softball guy walking around liberty :)
Sorry if I forgot any teams, just kinda did it off the top of my head of the teams I have heard of this year so far, I know their teams like MC SWAT, MC Cocks, Tri County, Yardbirds amongst others that have teams, I just don't know a whole lot about them yet, but like I said E is wide open this year for all these teams. Good Luck to everyone in 2012. I hope to see you all at the fields sometime.
Big Hoss
The the first time in a long time I do believe E is very wide open, the last handful of years everyone kind of knew who the top 2-3 teams were going to be and as of now I don't see one team that will just dominate E, I think the parity is better than it has been in a long time and you can thank Trust/Wicked for that and not because they won Worlds, but because they finished 13th at E North and that opened up Dooley's to be a national bump up team or they could of been this year's dominate E team.
Top 5:
1. PBR Resurrection: I haven't confirmed anything with Shane, Mike or Mex who are putting this team together, but from what I have gathered and seen. I believe this team is going to be very good in E this year. If your a softball nerd like myself you could see this forming last year at the end of the year. The core group of guys played with Revolution and a few of them have won rings in a higher class, coming into the season with that confidence and swagger is pretty big in E. I have heard rumors of J-Rob joining them and Chris Fillicia those would be two huge pick ups for them and could put them over the top. The biggest thing I like about this team is that is a group of guys that are friends on and off the field and they have played and won together already. Pitching and Defense helps win at any level, but in E it is the main thing that can carry a team, so if they don't have that on their team to start they will struggle, but I am sure they will make the right moves along the way.
2 Aftermath: I give them a slight edge at the 2 spot for now and this is because I think the Gaff's are great leaders and they put together very competitive teams. Again the core of this team has played together for a while now and they have won and done very well at higher levels, it wasn't that long ago that "The Show" now Aftermath was a national bump up team from D to C. Last year I thought they had one of the most underrated infields in E, I thought their problem most of the year was at pitching, they added a pitcher late in the year, but if they haven't added more than that, they could face a lot of the same problems they did last year with the inconsistency at time. I am a fan of Eaves who left for Syndicate and think he is really underrated so we will have to see if Mike Scott and whoever else they added will be enough to put them over the top.
3. Motor City Mutiny: Another impressive roster that was posted on the Mush Board, they definitely have a lot of talent on this team and should be one of the top E teams in Michigan this year. I do think once they start gelling they could be the best team in E before it is said and done. You hear a lot of people say it is the Assault guys from last year, but when I look at the roster I tend to think their main pieces are Trick guys from back in 2010 with some Assault guys to compliment them. Their really shouldn't be any reason why this team don't compete on Sundays, I have heard the ego thing, but I don't buy that, everyone who plays this game has an ego and I do mean everyone. Mutiny has defense, pitching and offense and maybe the best hitter in E this year with big Josh, this kid will be playing up very soon, he is a talent that is just starting to get recognized.
4. Detroit Syndicate: For as much crap as they get on the Mushboard, they are really good guys. Does that make them a really good team? No, but I believe this team is different than last year.. They did lost some talent, but they gain some in return. Opher from Blue Crush who has won world's should be a good leader on this team which is pretty young, they have two very capable pitchers with completely styles of pitching. OF looks fast, overall I would say Syndicate has improved from last year, I did get to watch them play in the Dome tournament against X-Factor and both were very good, close games that they split. As long as they remember its a long season and never get to high with the "ups" of the season and never get too low with the "downs" of the season they will be alright.
Bright Horizon: Again another team with their core players returning, they have some very talented younger players who have been tournament ball for a couple of years now with some veterans mixed in there as well. I thought they dramatically improve last year and I can see that happening again this year.. A concern area my bit pitching, but I don't know who they have picked up or not from last year, but I do know that this team will compete every game and will win their fare share of games this year.
Other Teams:
Lights Out Softball: This team has been around for a few years now and each year they seem to make the right moves towards the end of the season to make a nice run in the final three tournaments, looking at their roster I do believe this is the best roster that they have started off a season with since they have been running this team, they are another team that should definitely compete in E this year and with the right moves along the way could be one of the top teams by the end of the year. Plus they have added some nice pieces that should help them compete against the "top" teams in E right away.
Detroit Riot: Another team that the core has been playing together for a few years now and they were a sneaky team last year, pulling off some nice upsets throughout the year. I do think they will go into this season a lot more confident and that will help them in the close games and against some of the "top" teams in E this year. If they get solid pitching and defense they will be very good this year, their offense should be alright.
MushKings: It looks like a core of the Mushsportz guys and Kings guys have combined for a team this year, which is very cool, both of this teams always support other teams in anyway that they can with fundraisers and area great group of guys. They will definitely have fun this year on the field and they will compete as well, they are one of those teams that you don't want to sleep on because they can get runs in bunches. And like BUM has stated they will make the right moves when it counts.. Mushsportz always had its best team heading into the big 3.
Basers: Here is another team that is talked about on the Mush Board, don't know them personally, but they seem alright. Basers did finish with a higher power rating than Syndicate last year, just wanted to point that out, so if they make the right moves this year they should be alright, can't wait to see them play this year. They were definitely a scrappy bunch last year.
Rock Bottom I actually think this team could be a sleeper this year, again the core has been together for years and they did compete with some of the top teams in E last year, they have solid pitching and defense, the hitting is a bit streaky, but so are most teams in E, I wouldn't be surprised if they finished as one of the top teams in E by the end of the year.
Avengers: I heard this team was built mostly for festivals, but they should be alright in E this year. They have a core of colt .45 guys from a couple of years ago and they were slightly above .500 in class, so as long as Rick Clark don't mess things up they should compete and have fun all year. Villains > Avengers.. FACT!
Agent X: Gotta give the Agent X guys some love on the Big Hoss Report, I honestly don't know a whole lot about this team, but their league lineup page is the best page I have seen from any softball team, simply amazing. Looks like they have been playing together for a few years now and seem to be loyal to their friends, which is a nice change of pace in this softball game. I do remember them competing in some tournaments last year and with this being their 2nd full year in tournament ball and with E being as level as a playing field as it is this year they should have a lot of fun and win games.
Mitten MoundPounders: Don't know them at all, but could we give the new guys some love, they just want to promote their bowling fundraiser and have fun playing ball this summer, they will be jaded soon enough as softball guy walking around liberty :)
Sorry if I forgot any teams, just kinda did it off the top of my head of the teams I have heard of this year so far, I know their teams like MC SWAT, MC Cocks, Tri County, Yardbirds amongst others that have teams, I just don't know a whole lot about them yet, but like I said E is wide open this year for all these teams. Good Luck to everyone in 2012. I hope to see you all at the fields sometime.
Big Hoss
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