one of the coaches told me one time that a lot of it had to do with the better weather. we have less good weather days, so in order to play the same number of games we do double headers and sometimes as many as 4 games in 3 days. where they have better weather they have more days they can play on, so there isn't a need to have the double headers, giving those teams more rest. i'm sure the better climate affects talent as well in that they have more seasons they can play in.No doubt that has an effect. Add to that the ability to recruit talent locally that plays year round and you've got a combination that gives the SoCal and Southern teams the edge.