After a brief absence, Sledgehammer’s latest Top 10 rankings are posted at his “Rumor Central” section of the Fastpitchwest Forum.
A number of the teams listed — including the top two, So Cal Bombers and Rainey, will be in action this weekend. Stay tuned to see how the rankings hold up over the weekend. I’m sure the ‘hammer will weigh in after the weekend.
Here it is, straight from Sledgehammer:
“Well, here we are just a few weeks into the season and we already have some movers and shakers. The rankings have been a little quiet lately due to contract negotiations with several reporters and stat services but we finally have it. Please feel free to send me private messages with team accomplishments or stats that may get you in with the voters. Here it goes.
1. Casa Trejo Bombers- Love em or hate em, they rake, and they pitch. Red Rock power display only adds to their number one ranking. Albert Mendibles has been the early story as he has resurrected his career coming out of a two month retirement to spark the club with consistent at-bats. Mendibles was once a member of fastpitch powerhouse Decateur Pride.
2. Team Rainey- Not the performance we are used to seeing from this perennial winner at Red Rock but they did come away with a win over the Lumberkings, which solidified there number 2 ranking. It also appears they have added Todd Garcia to the lineup which gives them another veteran stick. When the international talent Gervasutti lands on American soil we will see Rainey in full force.
3 Tied. A-1 Tank- The tank showed they can compete with the big boys this weekend in Red Rock. They had a key victory over Team USA pitcher Cody Thompson and went 2-1 on Saturday. Ed Gaspar threw a no hitter and was one call away from perfection in game one. They showed a lot of weapons on offense but the key will be the staff. Bringing in the likes of Doug Sleep and Darcy Byrne limited the regular’s time on the hill.
3. Tied. Taylor Farms- While the big tourney was going on in Red Rock, these guys were beating up opponents in Northern California. Team Taylor comes with it every weekend and gets it done. Taylor’s next big challenge will come next weekend in Palm Springs as they compete in the Bomber’s Tournament. Rumor has it they have picked up veteran Doug Sleep for the tourney.
5. Bakersfield Lumberkings- Although they didn’t have the success they wanted in Red Rock, they were in every game. Their losses were 5-4, 7-5 and 7-6 which means they were putting up runs and were competitive. We’re gonna keep our eye on this team to see if they can start pulling out the one run ball games to get them over the top. The big question is still the pitching staff. With ISC aces Sonny Perkins and Grant Patterson doing most of the pitching, when do the regulars get the time?
6. Romie’s Angels- Yes, that’s right. A new team on the board and in dominant fashion, jumping all the way to 6. The Angels have been around for a while and although they play a low key schedule they have a solid squad. I do believe they beat Team Taylor this weekend behind the strong pitching of Tony Hunhoff. If you remember, Hunhoff was once a So Cal Bomber, Team Rainey, So Cal Bucks pitcher and in his prime he was an ISC star with HIS out of Houston. When he’s on the mound they can beat anybody.
7. River City Rockers- I haven’t heard that much about this team as of late but the bottom line is, they win. They’ve been doin it for years and until I see otherwise, they have to be in the top 10. Dave Bostick leads a veteran lineup that always puts pressure on the opposing pitcher.
8. Rude Pac- They won the last Palm Springs tourney and with the addition of Romie’s Angels to the ranks, the Pac moves down. That’s like a company releasing positive earnings and dropping on the stock market. I really can’t explain the drop in rank except for the fact that Hunhoff is a major factor. These guys are young and talented. Lead by veteran slugger Mark Vail, the Rude Pac is definately showing they belong.
9. Panteras- They always seem to be around late Sunday. What else is there to say? Somehow, someway, they end up playing late Sunday afternoon all the time. They jump from 10 to 9.
10. IAC- The Italian Athletic Club has been a mainstay in Nor Cal softball action. In the first Stockton tourney of the year they came out on top. Pete Turner leads the pitching staff and they have proven veteran sticks throughout the lineup.”