We're going to be a bit more brief than usual in the rationale this week. There was a lot going on in North Carolina youth baseball this past weekend, and the upcoming weekend is no different. Here's some brief reasoning behind the changes in the rankings this week.
8u
West Raleigh Blue 8u is back and they look to be the best 8u team in the state this spring. They're 14-0 this spring and have wins over #2 Dirtbags Black and #3 Carolina Threshers this spring. #2 and #3 continues to be a difficult decision when trying to compare the Threshers' overall better record with the Dirtbags' slightly better competition playing many 9u events this spring as well as a recent head-to-head that went in favor of the Dirtbags. Right now we give a slight edge to the Dirtbags, but this one could change throughout the remainder of the season. Those were the biggest changes other than a few teams shuffling up or down a spot or two based on some wins and losses this past weekend. The Youngsville Phantoms are back in the top 15 after a respectable showing at the Open division Summer World Series.
9u
There were no changes in the top 5 this week in the 9u age group. The Coach's Box Broncos dropped from 6th to 11th after a tough weekend in the D1 division in the SWS. West Raleigh Blue made a big jump up from 16th to 9th after a semifinal appearance in the SWS. Dirtbags East moved up from 13th to 10th after taking the D2 crown at the SWS with an undefeated weekend. Smash Baseball dropped from 9th to 15th after going 0-5 at the SWS. We also dropped the NCDB Rivercats from the top 20 after a tough weekend for them at the SWS. Coastal Cyclones are back in the top 20 after a 3-2 weekend at the SWS.
10u
#1-5 stayed the same this week, although we note Canes Baseball NC - Gilchrist dropped only their third game of the spring with a 4-2 loss to one of the best teams in Tennessee in the Tennessee Stars. West Raleigh Blue moved up from 13th to 8th after another undefeated weekend in Charlotte. We'll learn a lot about their squad this weekend at the 10u SWS. We dropped the Bandits from 10th to 12th after they dropped a game to an unranked opponent this past weekend.
11u
The top 5 were unchanged in the 11u age group this week. The LKN Attacked dropped just one spot after dropping a game this past weekend and the OTK Saints moved up from 10th to 9th after a 4-0 weekend. Cleveland Wildcats Elite dropped from 8th to 12th despite a finals appearance at the SWS as they dropped 3 games along the way including a 17-7 loss to West Raleigh Blue, who jumped in the rankings this week at 13. The HM Kings dropped out of the rankings this week after a disappointing 3-2 showing at the D2 SWS.
12u
The race for #1 in the 12u age group is really close, and Legends were very impressive this past weekend at the Perfect Game Super 25 qualifier. Right now we're giving a slight edge to Minion at #1 and Legends at #2, but like some of the other battles, this could change. Canes Baseball NC - Harland continued their impressive turnaround this spring with a finals appearance at the Super 25 qualifier and have moved up all the way to #8 this week, despite being unranked heading into June. A win over Legends and some impressive tournament runs will do that for you. West Raleigh Blue is new to the rankings at 16th after a win over #10 Majestic Greensboro at the Super 25 qualifier. This allowed us to drop Golden Spikes from the top 20, as they just have not been active this spring.
13u
The top of the 13u age group is really impressive. Canes Baseball NC - Gallaher continues to be the class of the division with an undefeated weekend at the SWS. But #2 Knights Prime, #3 NCDB Rivercats, and #4 Canes Baseball NC - Haire have all shown they aren't too far behind. NCDB was impressive in reaching the finals of the SWS and has a win over Canes - Gallaher this spring. If not for the Knights' own impressive resume and head-to-head wins over the Rivercats, NCDB might be in the #2 slot right now. The East Coast Clippers have been up and down this spring with some impressive wins and head scratching losses. For now we're giving them the benefit of the doubt at #6, but Dirtbags - Smith isn't far behind at #7. Diamond Thieves dropped from 9th to 14th after a 1-5 showing in the 60/90 D1 division at the SWS.