1) Black - Had the best record of any, beat the best from the other division...and most of that was without Lee Walston. Lee will be setting some sort of record by attending his 3rd Winter League game this season. It's supposed to be cold and windy this weekend and they have Mike Soo...it look like Mitch's year.
2) Cardinal - Played Black tougher than anyone (when Black had subs, that is). Just a lot of solid, experienced players who, in spite of the presence of the Old Man, play smart. Make 'em score 18 and you have a shot, but otherwise, they'll methodically score the win. Their pool is easily the toughest, but they will have enough gas to prove their #1 seed. If you've got the chance, watch the Cashman vs. Cleveland sprint-fest at 2:00 on Saturday.
3) Gold - If everyone shows up, it's possible that the Flying Guajardo Brothers may lead this team to the title. They have great depth and diversity. Hucks and handling, height and speed. It will make for a truly tough combo to defend. Don't be surprised when they take the C pool.
4) Sun - With the addition of Gary Aycock at the halfway point, this team became very dangerous. Women who play against this team better be ready to run! They should earn the second seed out of the Pool B, but don't let their 7th seed fool you, they are certainly capable of beating the top seeds. Unfortunately, they'll have to beat Cardinal, which is a tall order.
5) Peacock - If the whole team shows up, they'll be tough. JB, Hinkle, Kim, bd, Charles Kerr, Mark Lindblad, Matt Montoya, Jen Reed, John Eyles, Mary Facciolo...all have club experience. Am I missing someone else? The only thing that stands in their way is their lack of time playing together. If they're all present and accounted for on Saturday, they'll play Sunday...and if they all make it to two games in a row, expect them to put up a good fight in the semis.
6) Royal Blue - The Armstrong clan have the results to prove that they belong at the top. There are 3 legitimate teams that can unseat them in the D pool, but it will not be easy. parity and a windy day are likely to derail their hopes of winning the pool.
7) Ash - The third team in Pool D that has a shot at making play on Sunday. If they can keep from throwing the disc away, they'll make the semis. Fast with a good deep threat, keeping their opponent off balance is the key to them having a game to play on Sunday. Having had a full roster show up nearly every week is a definite plus.
8) Purple - Loss of Andy Kelly and not having a healthy Kevin Kusy will hurt. However, being the top seed in the easiest pool will help. Expect to see them on Sunday morning, but don't fret if you've got a drinkin' buddy on the team...they'll join you to watch the semis.
9) Sage - Has the talent to win, but must control their captain to have a shot at Sunday play. Tough to stop their zone O. It's supposed to be windy, so watch for them to battle Red for second place in the A pool.
10) Natural - It will be windy a this is an outstanding zone team. If they can play zone more often than not, they have a shot at winning Pool D. Lack of the big play will be the thing that will keep this team from reaching Sunday play.
11) Granite - Patient play in a zone will aid this team in beating Blue Grass, which will be be the game for 3rd place. Unfortunately, losing their women will keep them from advancing. Has a good shot at upsetting Sun if they don't play a man defense, but will probably come up a point or two short.
12) Blue Grass - Zone will dampen the Liz and Augie effect. As fast as they are, a man defense will be their best bet and allow their speedsters to kick it in. Don't float it, because they'll flush it. A tough pool will prevent them from moving on to Sunday.
13) Red - Have the capability to beat all but Black in Pool A, but must be Sage to advance. Good in both zone and man to man, and will probably need to use the latter to win. This team will do well on Saturday, and may earn that second place finish.
14) Leaf Green - What a turnaround. Dropped all the way down to 13th because they won't have a full team come Saturday morning, most likely they'll be missing 2 draft picks. With them, they are a quarters/semis level team. Without them, Papadisc will be selling discs on Sunday.
15) Forest Green - Late addition of TJ will definitely help, but will have to overcome tendency to turn the disc over. Should have a good game with Plum, and that will determine who gets 3rd place in Pool C.
16) Plum - Adding kd certainly helped the cellar-dwellers, but it wasn't enough to put them into Sunday play. They will play their pool tough, but probably don't have the juice to advance.
17) Khaki - Pretty strong when Brent and Drew play together. Will create a big headache for the B pool, but other teams will be too strong and they won't win more than once.
18) Boysenberry - If they had some players, they'd kick ass, as evidenced by their shallacking of Gold early on. Even when playing almost all of the last few games savage, put up a tough fight and lost by the narrowest of margins. Emily Larson and Alec Ewald will play big and create a problem for Pool D.
19) Denim - The cold and wind will affect this team more than others. Still, there is a good amount of quick players who play good defense and squirly offense. Man D will be their strong suit, creating turnovers and wearing their opponent down.
20) Navy - Not even the dynamic energy of Ellen Groh can propel this team into the top ranks of Pool C. They will play tough, but turnovers will cost them victories. After an 11th season of Winter League, I'm happy to say that Joe Wolhar's streak of Cal Ripken proportion is still in tact.