This week we’ll look at the club teams at the 12U level that we think are the top candidates to stand out in 2018.

Each day this week we’ll unveil 10 teams and conclude Friday with the elite programs rated in the top 10. 

Here’s the release schedule for the FAB 50 12U rankings through Friday:

Mon. Nov. 27: Nos. 50-41

Tue. Nov. 28: Nos. 40-31

Wed. Nov. 29: Nos. 30-21

Thu. Nov. 30: Nos. 20-11

Fri. Dec. 1: Nos. 10-1

The deciding factors in the ratings are team performances and results from the summer and fall along with the return of key players and the addition of talented new ones.

Information was acquired by the FloSoftball staff watching teams in person as well as receiving input provided by club and college coaches.

If we've missed anything or you would like to provide input on your favorite teams and players, send your info/insights to: flosoftball@flosports.tv.

50 | California Breeze 05

Coach Amanda Buck’s team, based out of Elk Grove, California, returns three key players up the middle: catcher/third baseman Zereniti Sousa, pitcher/first baseman Daniela Morillas, and outfielder Taylor Fitzgerald, after having a strong fall which included winning the PGF Nor Cal’s Finest Invitational and the 5th Annual PGF Organizational Challenge, finishing as a runner-up at a USA Elite Select Qualifier to earn a berth for the nationals next summer in Kansas City. This came after having a strong 2016 campaign taking second at the USA/ASA Nationals and finishing in the top 10 at PGF Nationals.

49 | Oklahoma Angels

The Angels are an up-and-coming team lead by Patrick Cornish. From last summer to this fall, they have won five tournaments while finishing in the top five in every event they’ve entered. The Angels finished third in the USSSA Midwest Nationals “A” Division and went 26-7 this fall including winning the Oklahoma FASA State Championship. Leading the charge are two USA Elite Select All-Americans: utility Fae Cornish, who has already hit five out-of-the-park home runs at age 11, and catcher Kenzie Eaves, who has a strong arm and presence behind the plate. The program will be tested in 2018 playing against top competition at the Sparkler Jr. and USA Elite Select World Series and a hopeful deep run at PGF Nationals.

48 | Alabama Firecrackers 06

Based out of Birmingham, the Firecrackers have eight returning players from a 10U team that finished in the top 20 at PGF Nationals, losing to eventual PGF champion Fury 2024 in the USSSA Super Southern Invitational and the Bolts Invitational. The team is built on speed, power hitting, pitching, and solid defense. The Firecrackers are led by dual-threat slapper Hannah Christian, who hit .586 with 48 steals this year, and another speedy slapper in Alaysia Mason Lawson, who batted .415 with 25 steals. The pitching staff is deep with Holly Selman, Olivia Christian, and Mauhree Jones, who throws 58 mph and had 196 strikeouts in 89 innings this year. Also watch for Dailynn Motes, who shines at shortstop and behind the plate.

47 | Marucci Patriots - Henry

Mike Henry’s Patriots finished the fall with a record of 23-4 and finished first in three of the five tournaments they competed in, including capturing the title at the FPPT Southern Shootout in Brandon, Mississippi, and winning the fall state championship in Louisiana. Last year, the Louisiana-based team went 73-24 as a first-year 12U squad and took eighth out of 21 teams at the USSSA Nationals in Destin, Florida, as the only ’05 team in the tournament. Next summer, the Angels will compete in the Oklahoma City Challenge, Best of the Best in Atlanta, and then finish at the World Fastpitch Championship in Kansas City.

46 | Aces Express 06

Coached by Charlie Esparza, who led a 12U team in 2016 to a PGF runner-up finish, the Aces move up from the 10U division and should be competitive as a first-year 12U after winning the USFA Nationals last summer. Based out of Lake Jackson, Texas, the team has an array of weapons including dual-threat pitcher Gabby Owens, who has good size and speed, paired with another dangerous hurler in Cameron Harrison, who has a long lean frame and mixes speeds effectively. Behind the plate are two future catchers to watch in power hitter Gabby Scott, whose sister Mia is a top 2021 recruit, and Charleigh Esparza, the younger sister of recent Ole Miss commit Caylnn “KK” Esparza, ranked No. 13 in the FloSoftball 2021 Hot 100. The defense is packed strong, especially in the infield, with third baseman Sienna Nava and shortstop Frankie Vrazel, both 2024 standouts.

45 | Birmingham Thunderbolts 06

The younger 12U Bolts team, coached by Andrew Burns, returns seven players and adds three key pieces to make this group a legitimate threat as a first-year 12U entry. The team is balanced with speed, power, and experience after winning the Champions Independence Day Shootout over the summer along with an appearance in the 10U PGF Nationals before losing in nine innings. This fall, the Bolts went 14-6 with a berth earned to the 2018 Futures World Fastpitch Championship. Key returners include shortstop Olivia Faggard, the vocal leader of the team, pitcher Mya Holt, center fielder Jasmine Green, utility Ashlyn Burns, catcher/third baseman Brantlee Wortham and catcher Tia Titi. New additions to watch include a trio of power hitters: pitcher/first baseman Hallie Meeks, utility Kennedy Stinson, and outfielder Kyliee Fryar.

44 | Carolina Elite - Pack

Coach Andy Herring managed a 12U team two years ago which was also in the FAB 50 rankings. That team finished second at USSSA Nationals and this year’s version has nine returners who helped the Elite to a strong fall including a third-place finish at one 14U tournament. Elite also had a runner-up finish in a 12U ASA event. During the fall, Elite went 20-5. Pitching and catching are the strength of the team, which has a nice blend of 2023 and 2024 players. Standout Katie Becker throws hard with great movement (curve and rise are her top pitches). Catchers Skye Harrington, Grayson Sneed, and Carman McRea are versatile and skilled behind displaying solid blocking technique and good arm strength and accuracy. Their lineup contains four hitters batting over .400: Becker, centerfielder/pitcher Lilly Honeycut, Camryn Martin, the team's’ home run hitter, and Caylin Herring.

43 | Tampa Mustangs - Cicarello

Following in the footsteps of older Mustang sisters who have won multiple tournaments and national championships, Mustang-Cicarello has impressed so far with a 12U USA Softball Florida Championship this year. The program started the fall season finishing second at the Legacy Prospects tournament to earn a berth for the USSSA Elite Select WFC. The Mustangs have played four tournaments at the 14U and 15U division this fall and went undefeated in one to win the title. The team’s success is derived from a strong defense behind Lauren Luciani and offensively there are few weaknesses. Leading the charge are third baseman DaNia Brooks, who batted .542, and lefty shortstop Destiny Johns, who had 49 hits this fall.

42 | Team NC Louisville Slugger - Hinde

Kevin Hinde’s team is built around a potent offense with power complemented by speed, and supported by a solid defense. The East Coast team won six of its last seven tournaments — including two in November: WFC Battle at the Beach and USA Elite Select Champions Elite Fall Showcase — and had a 37-1-1 record this fall. The win at the Elite Fall Showcase earned Team NC a berth to the USA Elite Select World Championships and for the fall the squad batted .372 with a .432 on-base percentage and scored 287 runs while allowing 74 runs (1.6 allowed per game). The standout in the circle is Abby Pringle, who held a 0.93 ERA and also hit for a .500 average this year. Also dangerous at the plate are shortstop Teagan Ritchie (.454 average) and utility Megan Towery (.444 average).

41 | Banshees Black

The Horsham, Pennsylvania-based Banshees, led by head coach Ryan York, won six tournaments this fall including the Newtown Rocks Halloween Spooktacular, which qualified them for a PGF Regional Qualifier. They also won the Mystics Magical Halloween Spectacular which qualified them for the World Fastpitch Championship in Kansas City next summer. Another key title was at the Finch’s Aces Fall Invitational in New Jersey competing against top talent from the Northeast. Last year, the Banshees were an 11U pure team with 2005 birth dates only and finished first or second in every 12U tourney they entered. Players to watch for include catcher/shortstop Sarah Sabocsik, a lefty lead-off hitter who bats for a high average; pitcher/utility Grace Helbling, who throws with power and good movement; first baseman/outfielder Julia Shearer, who has a nice combo of speed and power; and pitcher/infielder Kaley York, a big-game pitcher who also hits for a high average.