We wrap our pre-summer look at the top club teams across the nation for the 14U age division by spotlighting those in the Extra Elite Eighty 14U Club Rankings: Team #’s 10-1.
Each day this week we revealed 10 spots in the Top 50 and today we unveil the final Top 10 (and #1 overall ranked team).
Join us tomorrow (Saturday) as we list the Next Teams In (#’s 51-80) and on Sunday the Teams to Watch (#’s 81-100).
Teams were selected based on performances and results in events over the last year, including this winter and fall (understanding that showcase events are more for recruiting exposure and don’t necessarily reflect a team’s abilities), as well as how they project for the summer with the talent returning and the addition of impactful new ones for the upcoming run at Nationals.
Input was acquired by the Extra Inning Softball staff watching teams and players in person as well as insights provided by club and college coaches across the country.
These lists include a mixture of second and first year 14U teams (indicated with an *) with the intention of projecting how the teams will perform over time, especially in key summer events.
To contribute any additional information, insights, modifications or content, email: [email protected].
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EXTRA ELITE EIGHTY 14U TEAMS RANKED #’s 10-1
10—Texas Bombers Gold HTX – Burgess
A versatile and lethal combination of power and speed hits the list with James Burgess’ Texas Bombers HTX team. New to the Bombers organization, this team fared well at PGF Nationals with a 5th place finish as a first-year squad under the Impact Gold banner last year. Since then, they’ve added to their power with key pickups Emma Landauer, a utility player who should hit double-digit home runs, and 6-foot tall Aiyana Coleman, both of whom are Extra Elite top 50 players and swing strong bats. Key sluggers are C Ellington Whitaker, IF Katie Lott, and C/IF Victoria Valdez who can go deep in any at-bat. The team posted 30 OTF balls last fall and will increase that stat this summer. Beyond the power that the Bombers bring to the diamond, look for 2023 OF Kayden Henry to set the pace with her speed on the base paths. She’s looking to add to her 103 stolen bases. Four other Bombers: OF Seleste Compian, OF Amiah Burgess, UT Kayla Zaid, and UT Bailey Edwards are also threats on the base paths that will leg out the extra bases and put runs on the board. With a serious summer schedule to include the World Fastpitch Championship, PGF, and Sparkler Junior, the Bombers- Burgess team will be a force to be reckoned with this summer in the 14U ranks.