This forum is drying up. How about this. Lots of folks up here in Northern California that think the best league in the state is the West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL). Personally, I think its a really good league, but having travelled to SoCal and Central California a bit with one of my sons in travel ball, I don't think we have the best baseball in the state up here. Very good, but not the best.

What leagues around the state are top notch? Who are the best teams? Where have you seen the best baseball?

It would be pretty hard to argue against the Delta League in Sacramento being one of the top leagues. The Delta includes Jesuit, Elk Grove, Laguna Creek, Sheldon and Folsom. A couple pretty good teams and a couple GREAT teams.

Its going to be interesting to see who ends up not only taking first in league, but also the Sac Bee's top 15 poll. Right now, Jesuit and EG are #1 & #2. My expectation is Jesuit when its all over.

I'll speak up for Orange County ... tho I am sure some would disagree with me. I think the Sunset League has always been pretty strong (before the new releaguing takes place). It includes Esperanza (gee, wonder why I like it?), Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos, Edison, Marina, and Huntington Beach. It appears as tho the Huntington Beach team may be moved to another league but that is in the future.

The league is really structured more for its football competiton, but for the most part, the other sports fit well also. Only problem is that Esperanza is the only one that is not near the beach ... they are there because of their football ... and it makes travel a bear.

Other good leagues: Century and Empire. But I am probably showing a north county bias ...

In my opinion, the top leagues in So Cal are:

(Sunset)
Huntington Beach, Marina, Esperanza, Fountain Valley, Los Al, Edison

(Century)
Villa Park, Canyon, El Dorado, Brea, Tustin, El Modena

(Empire)
Orange Lutheran, Cypress, Loara, Katella, Valencia, Kennedy

(Serra)
Mater Dei, Santa Margarita, Servite, Bishop Amat, St John Bosco

Sure would be nice to have a CA. State High School Baseball Championship wouldn't it? I wonder if I should hold my breath.

Steve ...

Glad to see that I haven't lost complete touch with OC high school baseball. I still read the OCR to see the season projections etc., even tho I only know a couple of players on the Esperanza squad. Some people just never learn, do they?

infielddad ...

I agree with you. I too would like to see a state championship. Maybe we have to break off into a South California and a North California to make that happen ... I think we are just too big to get it done while school is still in session. How many different CIF sections do we have in the state? Is it 5? I think in So Cal we have San Diego, Southern Section, and City (LA that is). May just be too hard for the people in CIF to manage ... they have enough trouble with leaguing and re-leaguing every few year.

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
Sure would be nice to have a CA. State High School Baseball Championship wouldn't it? I wonder if I should hold my breath.

You would likely pass out before the bureaucrats even started their arguments. LOL

As a friend of Mike Curran, head coach at Esperanza, and a product of El Dorado. I favor the OC for Baseball, but the 909, er 951 er 909 oh well 909/951 teams are growing on me. For those friends in Northern California the term used in Orange County for the Red Neck part of Southern California is "The 909"

Hot Corner Dad;

Why not a California High School Championship. After 19 years of Area code Baseball, maybe this is a new challenge.

1. One team from each County.[several county are combined]
2. Use wood bats
3. We can arrange a suitable stadium
4. Sponsors are no problem

the consultant - Bob Williams
<rwilliams@goodwillseries.org>

I didn't say it was impossible, just improbable. I like the idea myself.

I'm all for a state championship...couldn't believe they didn't have one when I moved here back in 1980. But there are logistical problems in such a big state.

Main one is that some of the current section playoffs end after some of the schools are finished. Central Coast Section (Bay Area Peninsula/South Bay) ends around Memorial Day weekend and some of the schools let out at that time. My sense is that there are families who value their vacation more than a state playoff.

How many rounds are we willing to accept? Start with 16 teams (seems reasonable), takes 4 games...2 weeks.

There are 10 sections in California.

CALIFORNIA ATHLETIC SECTIONS

Central Coast Section
Central Section
Los Angeles City Section
North Coast Section
Northern Section
Oakland Section
Sac-Joaquin Section
San Diego Section
San Francisco Section
Southern Section

Bob,
Are you starting something along the lines of what you mentioned?

Marmonte league is pretty tough year in and year out. May not be quite as strong this year as the last couple years but I think they'll still make a pretty good run at the Div I SS championship after beating each other up during the regular season. I think a few of those teams Mr. Trombly mentioned may have fallen to the wayside each of the last couple years as Marmonte League teams won the Div II SS championship. Royal, and TO are off to strong starts. Agoura, Moorpark, Simi, Newbury Park and Westlake are off to so-so starts but they're each 3-2 with one of Agoura's losses coming against defending national champ Chatsworth and one of Moorpark's losses coming against Hart who ended Chatsworth's 54 game winning streak.

"You would likely pass out before the bureaucrats even started their arguments. LOL"

HotCorner, when I first read that I thought you said I "would likely pass 'on' before..." I was blinded by the lightheadeness caused by my hyperventilating. Now that I think of it though passing out and passing on will both likely occur before this happens. BTW, TX does have state championships at all levels. Now if they can do it.....

They could start the HS season earlier...or do what they do in my former homestate Ohio...play 3-5 games/week. Many teams here only play 2.

To California baseball people:

Your interest in the high school playoffs is most respected. In 1987, we created the Area Code games in Lodi to benefit the players from all regions of the State.

With the California high school season ending mid May, except for several regional playoffs and the summer travel teams and the Connie Mack and Legion teams beginning on Memorial Day. The the Amateur draft and the College World Series taking the time of the pro scout and college coach.

The "window of opportunity" is very narrow.

The qualified teams from each district can be
selected from a three person committee, composed of the HSbaseballweb people and a pro scout [10 groups].

The window is August 10-15. The senior players are not to their college and the junior football players have not commence their "two a day drills".

After 10 August, there are only a few tournaments and "showcases". Individual high school teams can be re-organized by their coaches for a 4-5 day State Tournament with "wood" bats. The stadium is no problem.

From all the 10 teams selected only one or two players will sign professionally prior to the 10th of August.

Your opinions, please.

BOB WILLIAMS

Bob,

I wish it would happen, but I don't think it will. I think too many parents in California would value their last week or two of family vacation over a state playoff. I say this because of all my years coaching youth baseball and watching HS summer baseball, this preference has come through time and time again.

I'm not judging it, but I believe its just the way it is.

I hope someone like you can find a way though.

Tom

Justbaseball or 123kMom - you all have a double header today against UOP or just one game? Good luck!

It was one game. COLD! And rainy! But they got it done.

Saw that - no gametracker available for our series, so I watched yours . Congrats!