Kickball365 Circuit Top 20 Registered Teams (Preseason Poll)

Within our Forum, JellyDogg of Washington DC, has collected his thoughts in the first ever pre-season poll for registered Circuit Teams.  A follow-on discussion can be found here.

1. Panik Attack (Norfolk, VA) - Not much, if anything, separates this team from the #2 team on this poll. In fact, many would argue their respective rankings should be reversed due to Meatballs defeating Panik Attack just 2 months ago under slightly different rules. However, the overall talent level is pretty even, and Panik Attack complained much less about the move to 10 defenders (rather than 11) than did their chief rival. That tells this pollster that they are a little more prepared to be the lead dog heading into this Circuit season.

2. Meatballs (Boca Raton, FL) - A Meatball win in any tournament, or winning the Circuit Cup, would not be an upset. This team is loaded from top to bottom, and their defeat of Panik Attack in the SFKO makes this a confident bunch heading into the season. Let’s see if only having 6 guys in the field is as much a nuisance as they’ve made it out to be.

3. The Other Shot Callers (Washington, DC) - This is what you get when you take a top 10 team, trim the fat, then add 7 or 8 of the best players from the Founders Cup Champions. This team has the horses to compete in every tournament, and a chance to bring another Cup back home to DC. Will these former rivals gel together as a team? Will they even have to?

4. Wu Tang Killers (West Harrison, NY) - If this team had kept the name “Dumpster Fire” from the fall season, then made their cuts/additions, there would be no question in anyone’s mind that this is a top 5 team. Change the name, however, and people seem to think these guys have to learn kickball all over again. There is no doubt that this team will be a force in the Circuit this season.

5. Balls Deeper (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - This team seems poised to become the best team in south Florida in the event the Meatballs all wake up with food poisoning. They have the talent to win any game any time. The question is will they ever travel to enough Circuit events to prove it?

6. Lock it Up (New York, NY) - Jared or no Jared, Lock it Up finally broke through to the semi-finals at SFKO (not that that necessarily translates to Circuit success), and is ready to take the next step. In order to (re)gain the respect of their peers as an elite team, they’re going to have to beat a team ranked above them. 

7. Fully Loaded (Miami, FL) - Another tough south Florida team that can beat anyone at any time, and they look to move up this list with a good showing in VA Beach. 

8. Riff Raff (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - An unexpected run in Founders Cup followed by an unexpected collapse in SFKO have many people wondering exactly who this team is. When they’re on, though, you might want to hope you’re on the “other side” of the bracket.

9. Relax & Let it Happen (Austin, TX) - This is the team RIchmond Lushes wish they could be. Every bit as drunk on the field, yet actually capable of beating you (and probably not remember it the next day). I hear their girls are popular, too.

10. Inglorious Bastards (Washington, DC) - The remnants of the implosion of The Others has added some old familiar faces to go along with some new raw talent in hopes of division, Vegas, and Circuit glory. If some of their pickups pan out, they might make a big move up these rankings. If not, they have enough high-powered vets to ensure they don’t drop.

11. St. Louis Big Ballers (Olivette, MO) - The “Pro Team” has had a tough time breaking through in non parent-teacher-student tournaments, yet they continue to make improvements. Perhaps the new, more open Circuit rules are more this team’s game. We know for sure that this team is aching to prove themselves on the big stage.

12. The Emperors Club (Hampton, VA) - Rumor is this team is making crazy additions to compete with local powerhouse teams. My guess is they’re on their way, but, perhaps not quite there yet.

13. Super Skinnies (Orlando, FL) - Probably won’t even see them at a Circuit event this year, so why are they on this poll? People seem to like them, that’s why.

14. Mo’ Tussin (Washington, DC) - This team is just here for the Sprite… or root beer. Whatever. There is talent here, but it’ll probably be K365 before they’ll compete with the big boys.

15. Team Ramrod (Astoria, NY) - Here’s an up-and-coming NYC team with some tourney experience. We probably won’t see them in action until the K365.

16. Ludicrous Speed (Chandler, AZ) - Our lone representative on this poll from out west certainly has the potential to move up this list. I’m not sure if they’ll travel enough to face off with some teams ahead of them to actually accomplish that, though.

17. Alpha Omega (VA Beach, VA - Roster currently in flux. We’ll see what they’ve got on May 15th.

18. 1st United CT Kickers (South Windsor, CT) - Led by a contingent of players from the west and mid-atlantic regions, this team is still looking for respectability, though it’s doubtful they will compete this year.

19. DeJa’Vu Dynasty (Washington, DC) - I’m not sure if this team actually exists. Nobody has ever heard of them.

20. Richmond Lushes (Richmond, VA) - Yes, you have just seen the Lushes on a power poll. You have now seen everything. These guys come pre-drunk, in costume, and ready for a long afternoon of no-kickball.

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES

Perfect Strangers (Smyrna, GA) 
Coffee County (Tullahoma, TN)

I have not seen either of these teams play, but look forward to them coming out and putting themselves in the top 20.