As I continue to grow in age, it becomes easier for me to be reminded that I am so fortunate to be able to enjoy all the things I do on a daily basis. This weekend I am so grateful to have been involved in something very special. As a coach who is lucky to spend my free time with young guys who love playing baseball, I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the 2012 State Championship with the Adrian Post 275 American Legion team.
As hosts of this year's State Tournament, we were able to sweep through the state tournament and beat the Midland Berryhill team twice to earn the championship and an automatic bid to the National Regional in Midland next week. The Adrian team hasn't won the state title since 2001, and I was present in 2002 when they lost to Midland in the title game in Menominee, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula when my son Eric and his teammates completed a great season.
This weekend's tournament victory was simply a joy to be involved with. Dave Stanifer and the Tournament Committee, as always, went above and beyond with their preparations and execution of providing a fabulous tournament atmosphere for all of the six teams involved. There is a tremendous amount of selflessness involved with Dave and his staff in performing so many tasks that often go unnoticed.
What gives me the greatest joy though, is the performance of the players with whom I am fortunate enough to share the dugout. This team has earned a 29-10 record after beginning the season making about two mental errors per inning (that's roughly how I remember that first weekend) back in June. As individuals and as a team, these guys have gradually improved from game to game and week to week.
They seem to have bought into the idea that a baseball season should be a gradual climb from point A to point B, with some peaks and valleys that undoubtedly occur during the season. They are now peaking and playing their best baseball when it really matters the most, in the post-season.
This weekend's play was highlighted by some timely hitting, especially by hitters near the bottom of the batting order. In addition, they played great defense and had outstanding pitching. In three nine-inning games, the pitchers averaged 11 pitches per inning. That is a tough enough task for one guy to accomplish in one well pitched game, but to have a staff of pitchers do so for an entire tournament is indeed a great accomplishment.
As a coach, there were two major highlights to the weekend. The first one was the performance of Phil Carey, a 2014 Tecumseh High School player, who was almost perfect in throwing a one-hitter against Midland on Friday night. Phil gave up a ground ball single on the first pitch of the fourth inning, and then allowed only one walk to a hitter with one out in the 9th inning. It almost seemed to be cheating to watch him carve up the Berryhill hitters. Phil was named the tournament MVP yesterday!!
The other highlight was to see and feel the sense of happiness, satisfaction, and pride in the fifteen players. They don't even have to tell anybody.......they are champions, forever!!!
As for me, I am grateful, as always!!
As hosts of this year's State Tournament, we were able to sweep through the state tournament and beat the Midland Berryhill team twice to earn the championship and an automatic bid to the National Regional in Midland next week. The Adrian team hasn't won the state title since 2001, and I was present in 2002 when they lost to Midland in the title game in Menominee, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula when my son Eric and his teammates completed a great season.
This weekend's tournament victory was simply a joy to be involved with. Dave Stanifer and the Tournament Committee, as always, went above and beyond with their preparations and execution of providing a fabulous tournament atmosphere for all of the six teams involved. There is a tremendous amount of selflessness involved with Dave and his staff in performing so many tasks that often go unnoticed.
What gives me the greatest joy though, is the performance of the players with whom I am fortunate enough to share the dugout. This team has earned a 29-10 record after beginning the season making about two mental errors per inning (that's roughly how I remember that first weekend) back in June. As individuals and as a team, these guys have gradually improved from game to game and week to week.
They seem to have bought into the idea that a baseball season should be a gradual climb from point A to point B, with some peaks and valleys that undoubtedly occur during the season. They are now peaking and playing their best baseball when it really matters the most, in the post-season.
This weekend's play was highlighted by some timely hitting, especially by hitters near the bottom of the batting order. In addition, they played great defense and had outstanding pitching. In three nine-inning games, the pitchers averaged 11 pitches per inning. That is a tough enough task for one guy to accomplish in one well pitched game, but to have a staff of pitchers do so for an entire tournament is indeed a great accomplishment.
As a coach, there were two major highlights to the weekend. The first one was the performance of Phil Carey, a 2014 Tecumseh High School player, who was almost perfect in throwing a one-hitter against Midland on Friday night. Phil gave up a ground ball single on the first pitch of the fourth inning, and then allowed only one walk to a hitter with one out in the 9th inning. It almost seemed to be cheating to watch him carve up the Berryhill hitters. Phil was named the tournament MVP yesterday!!
The other highlight was to see and feel the sense of happiness, satisfaction, and pride in the fifteen players. They don't even have to tell anybody.......they are champions, forever!!!
As for me, I am grateful, as always!!
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