The 16s competition among non-Open teams has been brutal this spring, with tight battles up and down the seeding ladder in qualifiers across the country.

Continuing to outmuscle opponents in nearly every tournament it plays in is Mizuno Northern Lights 16-2, which moved into the top spot after taking Gold in 16 USA at the recent Show Me Qualifier in Kansas City, Missouri. The Minnesota team owns an impressive 33-5 record through early April and is just barely ahead of Northwest Arkansas Juniors 16-1, who has won four titles this year and owns a sparkling 44-7 overall record.