I hope you all agree we had a pretty decent season this year. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you all for being a part of Madrid League Baseball and sharing a part of your weekends with us over the past 4 months. All in we had 13 weeks of baseball this year (1 more than last year). Here are a few more of the highlights which I hope were as fun for you all as they were for me.
- This year we had 216 kids in the league ranging in age from 4 to 16. 130 of the kids came from outside the American School making it truely a community league.
- The snack shack sales went very well this year (especially the last few weeks). The candy, drinks, and hot dog sales were strong enough so that we'll be able to replace a lot of the old equipment, and even fund a baseball event again for this Fall. Thanks to everyone that helped with the shipping, delivery, and working in the snack shack.
- I'd like to congratulate all of the teams on their accomplishments this year. The Seniors were fantastic in winning both games of their home and away series with Villabilla. To the extent that balanced teams are pretty important for the 2 teams at this level, going in to the last week it was 6-6. It doesn't get any closer than that....
- At the Machine Pitch level the Rockies for plugging away over the long season and then showing their true talent in a blow out victory in the last game. The Marlins and Nationals for many exciting games over the season. And especially the Lady Rangers. The all girls team were the highlight of the season for me. I'm pretty sure they had a few other people pulling for them as well. A lot of us went into the first time ever all girls team a little skeptical, but in the end they proved us all wrong. They played strong, hit and fielded very well, were humble in victory and magnanamous when they lost. Thanks girls. Over the course of the season each of these teams proved that any team could win on any given day.
- Another first this year was we had 6 teams at the Coach Pitch level. The Orioles (the youngest of the 6 teams) managed to make it all the way to the Coach Pitch finals. In the end the Reds were just too good though.
- Thanks to the coaches for your time and dedication. Without you all none of this would have been possible. The hours you put into the weekly practices really was evident as the season went on and skill levels improved.
- Thanks to Roland, Leigh, Jon, Alex, and Jon for helping out withg the umpiring. Much appreciated.
- It was great to see the kids at all levels not only develop their skills but build their confidence, learn to believe in themselves, deal with both frustration and success, the value of team work and good sportsmanship, and that as long as they try they can accomplish anything. And I do mean kids of all ages from Tee Ball to the Seniors. Thanks to you all for realizing this and emphasizing it above all else.
- Perhaps most rewarding for me was to look around and see the stands full, that kids came early to their games as well as stay on after theirs were over, that parents and siblings hung around to socialize, and make new friends, and to know that we made a difference.
And thats it.... I'll try to get some pictures up here as well for visual memories, so please keep checking from time to time. I hope you all have a great summer, and please stay tuned for more Madrid League Baseball this Fall and again next year....
Thanks.
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