1) NY Metro: With the additions of Rock and Danny, Metro could be better than ever before. Metro has more people to give the older guys a rest with multiple position changes available. Most respected team in the country for a reason. The big question is will their additions help more than their losses hurt. World Series proved they are second to one. Best group of teammates on the circuit. A lot depends if Donny recovers from his (Wii Game) injury. A team of HOF'ers but only 10 take the field at once. Red will have to work hard to keep everyone happy. A great team who knows how to win. Head of the class. 40% of the Alliance’s losses last season came at the hands of Metro. Are you kidding me? Already great added talent?! Can you give us all a break! Metro has been in the WS finals twice which says a lot. Can they close it down this year with a finals win?

2) Jacksonville PSC: Can never count them out of the top 2. The Alan Westfall departure could be HUGE!!! One man does not make a team. Losing Alan will be a setback but this team is still a top 3 team. Like Ric Flair says, "If you want to be the man you must beat the man" 3 years running # 1 and a 4th # 2 (due to not going to the WS). Robbie will lead the Royal & Orange. Scores 30 runs a game. These guys will not rest until they reach the top of the mountain again. Where do they keep finding the talent? They rake unrelentlessly, and they can play some defense too! Scariest team in the East.

3) Maryland State Police: Can't leave them out of top 5 after last years breakout season. Was last year a fluke? We will see this year. Best uniforms and top talent. 2008 was big but 2009 will be bigger. A team on the rise but can they sustain their success. A group of guys who never seem to quit, and are led by the BEST lead by example player on the circuit - "SMITTY". They do all aspects of the game well. These guys just dig deep when they need to. It is a testament to Brian and his squad!! Could be scary in 2009! Brian is my early vote for PS.com manager of the year.

4) Michigan Lawmen: Always a perennial front runner but can they keep the team together with all the changes? Can you imagine what they could do in a season without turmoil? It will be interesting to see how Pancake replaces Biscuit. Pound for pound they have the best power in the East. This team needs to be big this year or they will drop out of the elite in the East. POWER, POWER, POWER. This could be a transition year with the loss of some vital players but the addition of some good ones too. They have a solid nucleous of established HOF'ers and are always a threat to win any tournament. Need to find a way to steady their roster, and win the Big one! This team has too much talent to keep losing out on the big prize! Needs to focus on themselves and not worry what else may be going on in the state. The early bird gets the Wurm this year!

5) NYPD Blues: Many changes, new blood, old blood, and Terrelli can't leave out of top 10. Crozier is a beast. Spinelli was the face of this team. Can they stand on their own without him? Second best team in the state, fourth in the East. Can hang with number 1 just out of rivalry and bragging rights.
A whole new attitude with this team, led by Slick Rick Tirelli and John Catusco. The new pitcher will help tremendously but I hear they also got a new CF from NY Metro, which if true is bigger. This is do or die for this crew, only time will tell. Tough as nails. Rick went out and replaced his lost parts. Is it addition by subtraction? This team is determined to come back and make its mark in 2009. I think they will!

6) So. Florida: With the additions from last year and BIG ALBERT once they get comfortable look-out. Way too much talent for a 17th WS finish. Can their new additions handle not being on one of the best teams in the nation over an entire season? I love the 49er logo. This team looks more athletic than any team on the circuit, it's like playing 10 cover models from Flex magazine. They put it together, they are tough as nails. If you don't believe in yourself then you should be a music medley player. Added a new winning attitude and dedication late in 2008 but now have several (new) faces joining in 2009. Mike Kletsky just spent 2 days with Robbie Freitas and now is ready to lead his talented crew to bigger and better things. Last years pick ups and this years additions will make this team very interesting. These cats are hard hitting and hard driving. Can they channel it onto the field for a full season? If they do, watch out! Looked like the team to beat in the early part of the World Series. Will need to play like that a whole yar to crack the top 5.

7) Minnesota Lawmen: Only show at a select few tourneys, but ALWAYS tough. I think this team has gotten better every season the last few years. I saw Bobby Lambert play twice this year and he was as good as advertised. More tourneys and this is a top five team. I think all things being equal, this is a top 5 team. One of the best when they play. Solid group of veterans and some new youngsters with a solid history. Although the youngsters don't need cut their sleeves like the veterans. There should be a minimum arm size to go sleeveless. This team showed how it can battle at the World Series. Man, can someone tell me how good these guys would be if they played 5-6 times together as a full squad? How do they do it two or three times a year? Talent I guess. When I watched them in Dayton, they may be the best squad in the nation if they play more!

8) Buckeye Lawmen: Chris Moore will be missed by this team. Can they keep an even keel without Moore? The loss to kick them out of the World Series should be a turning point for this team and they should learn to not go easy on a team when they have them down. Power, and more speed than they get credit for. And I should know, they beat us four times last year. A classy team that knows how to play the game. They have a lot of talent and desire, but they are either Studs or Duds at tournaments. When the Studs show up then watch out. You can get them off their game by talking about different songs in between innings. Which squad will show up? Who knows? But it will be fun to watch!!!

9) Miami Metro Red: Come on Coach Bracci!!! Get these guys to Dayton. One of the most overlooked teams in the nation. Good dudes who know how to play the game. Can play with anyone, and might have the best infield I have ever seen. If the Miami boys focused for a few months, they could be at the top of the mountain!! They are solid but don't play enough and their roster is always rotating. This team always does well at the World Series which shows what this team can do when they set their minds to it. A lot depends if their "retired" players show up or not which will determine their results. They need to play Dayton, Sterling or JAX to be accepted as a legitimate team - they cherry pick and avoid the big ones except the WS

10) Ohio Lawmen: After slipping a little last year ready for bounce back season. Looked great at the end of the World Series. This team is very strong when able to play with their entire roster, unfortunately they split their schedule between the east and west depending upon elgibility requirements. Had a snafu last year but rumor has it all the new background checks have approved. The only thing that hurts these guys is East Coast eligibility rules! Great squad, but can they bring all of their talent to enough tournaments?