Rankings Rationale 6/7/18

There were some big moves in the rankings this week, as well as an after-the-fact change in the rankings. As always, we want to remain transparent with how we are ranking teams and why we have teams placed where we do. Take a look at our reasoning and let us know if you have questions.

8u
8u Carolina Threshers now stand at 44-2 overall and continue to be one of the best teams in the state. We originally had them at #2 this week, but after some consideration have moved them back into the top spot with Dirtbags Black

This was our toughest decision of the week...by far. And one we don't necessarily feel we got it right. Nevertheless here's our thought process for this week. West Raleigh presents an interesting dilemma in the 8u age group. They just played their first four "travel" games of the spring, and beat 4 ranked teams including previous #2 Dirtbags Black. They were the champions of the Winter World Series, including a win over previous #1 Carolina Threshers, which was the Threshers only loss as an 8u team until this past weekend. The Threshers are 0-1 against West Raleigh and West Raleigh's only loss in the fall was against Dirtbags Black. They avenged that loss this past weekend with a 10-6 win over Dirtbags Black. In our opinion, these three teams have separated themselves from the pack in the 8u age group and are grouped quite close together. If West Raleigh Blue won this past weekend, including a win over Dirtbags Black, why did we rank Dirtbags Black #1? Our opinion is that West Raleigh should probably be #1 at this point, however they have only played 4 games this spring. The Dirtbags and Threshers have been dominating 8u competition all spring. We, therefore, re-entered them at #3 in the rankings this week and will take a wait-and-see approach as we go into the Summer World Series next week, in which all 3 teams are entered. While the Threshers have a far superior overall record compared to the Dirtbags, Dirtbags Black only has three losses at the 8u level this spring, compared to the Threshers one loss this spring. In addition, this spring, the Threshers and Dirtbags are 1-1 against one another, with the Threshers scoring a win in the finals of the Triple Crown Border Wars and the Dirtbags taking the game this past weekend. The Threshers are 3-1 against the Dirtbags overall, and perhaps should still be ranked in front of them. When we first did the rankings, we felt it reasonable to reward the Dirtbags for their head-to-head victory. As we have continued to contemplate this one, we've decided to list Dirtbags Black and the Threshers as co-#1's in the 8u age group, something we've never done before. In the end, the race for #1 in the 8u age group is going to come down to the performances at the Top Gun Summer World Series next week.

With West Raleigh Blue moving back into the rankings, the Lake Norman Vipers and East Rowan both slid down 1 spot this week. Youngsville had a tough weekend going 0-4 against 4 top teams with losses to to #3 West Raleigh, #1 Dirtbags Blacks, #8 NCDB Rivercats, and #1 Carolina Threshers and dropped from #7 to #12. NCDB moved up a spot after a 3-1 weekend. The Summerfield Stars entered the top 10 at #9 after defeating #6 Reidsville Luckies. East Rowan 7u dropped from the rankings this week after a loss to an unranked opponent. Greenville Athletics moved down from 11th to 13th as they continue to not be very active this spring.

9u

The top 4 remained unchanged this week in the 9u age group. The Carolina Titans dropped from #5 to #14 this week after a loss to new #20 HYAA Hawks. We have noted previously that despite the Titans impressive record, their level of competition has not been near the majority of the teams in the top 10-15. Smash Baseball dropped from 6th to 9th after going 0-2 this past weekend. The Lake Norman Thunder jumped from 13th to 8th after a 4-0 weekend and some losses in front of them. The remainder of the top 15 was largely unchanged. The Carolina Red Sox dropped from the top 20 after a difficult weekend this past weekend.

10u

Unfortunately an excellent tournament in Knightdale was cut short due to rain this past weekend. Canes Baseball NC - Gilchrist remains in the top spot with SBA Canes - Marconi, Port City Rebels, and East Rowan staying steady at #2-4. Dirtbags Platinum dropped from 5th 8th after losses to Canes - Gilchrist and Rock Solid Red (in a rain-shortened game). The Belmont Bandits moved up from 11th to 9th after a 4-0 weekend including a win over the Rawlings Stars. Mission Vipers Gold jumped from 19th to 15th after a tournament victory in Charlotte and a win over the Carolina Havoc, who fell 13th to 14th. The Alamance Patriots dropped from 14th to 17th and the Carolina Thunder dropped from 15th to 18th after losses to unranked opponents this past weekend. The Sandhills Stingrays are back in the rankings this week at #20 after going 4-0 in Greensboro include a win over #11 GRIT - Koonin.

11u

#1-5 remained stable this week. Canes Baseball NC - Simpson is now up to #6 after a 4-1 weekend in Charleston SC, including a win over the Mission Vipers Gold, who dropped from 6th to 8th. The Vision Bandits were up to 9th after a solid weekend in Charlotte. The Lake Norman Hurricanes moved up to 14th after a 4-0 weekend including a win over the OTK Saints. Team Ghost fell from 11th to 18th after a 2-2 weekend. North Wake Fungo also dropped from the top 20 after a 2-2 weekend. Canes Baseball NC - Barrett moved into the top after going 2-1 this past weekend with a win over Mission Vipers Gold.

12u

Similar to the 8u age group, the 12u age group presented an interesting decision. Our opinion has been that Legends Baseball and Minion have been the top two teams in the state this spring in the 12u age group, with Park Sharon close behind. This past weekend, Legends fell to previously unranked Canes Baseball NC - Harland while Minion won in Charlotte including a win over #3 Park Sharon. We felt that was enough to move Minion back in front of Legends for the time being. Unfortunately these two will not meet up at the Summer World Series as Minion is currently not entered. Park Sharon held on to the number three spot after a close loss to Minion this weekend. The Rockies dropped one spot this week after a 3-1 weekend with a loss to the Sanford Cobras. Sandhills Heat dropped from 7th to 15th after a 2-2 weekend. Canes - Harland returned to the rankings this week at #11 after an impressive 5-0 weekend including wins over #2 Legends Baseball, #9 Carolina Thunder, and #12 Sanford Cobras. We moved Golden Spikes down from 14th to 19th as they have not been very active this spring. SBA LKN Carolina Cobras dropped from the rankings after a disappointing weekend.

13u

There were not many changes in the top 20 this week in the 13u age group. #1 Canes Baseball Harland - NC and #3 Knights Prime impressed this past weekend with undefeated runs in their respective tournaments. We bumped Carolina Havoc - Clonch up from 8th to 7th after an impressive tournament run in Charlotte including a win over #11 Dirtbags Charlotte. The biggest change in the 13u age group was the Naturals dropping from 13th to 15th after a 2-2 weekend. PITT413 and the Orange County Crushers fell from the top 20 and Copperheads - Barozzino (#18) and the Carolina Rage (#20) were new to the rankings after impressive weekends.