| June 2003
Well folks, it is that time of year again, time for the single elimination tournament to decide the 3rd team to go to Texas. First my congratulations to the Valley Lyon, they played good ball throughout the season and I hope it continues for them into the Nationals. OH yes!
Congratulations to the KHT Pumpers on their fine year and another trip to the Nationals; they too had a fine season, unlike some of us that were up and down. My hat really goes off to the Coyotes, who started shaky but came on strong in Tulare and continued to hit the ball with some authority. As for the rest of us, we will fight it out in a few weeks in Tulare.
It is now time for all of us to put the machine together and have the best weekend of the year and hope it will carry on through to the Nationals.
Too all my friends out there, I missed Visalia due to work commitments and a wedding for a close family friend. As for Sunday, I had to accept a position within my Church that required my attendance; therefore I was unable to attend the ball games. But I will be in Tulare to coach. I would like to set the records straight, I did not have a fight with Forrest Dean or any another team member, that was all just rumors. After Danny’s attack it was called posttraumatic syndrome and am over it now.
It has been a long and hard season for me, with age comes aches and pains that just do not heal as fast as they did when you were in your 20’s or 30’s. I still love the game of softball; and I will have a team going to the 45 and over in September. Should any of you wish to go, just give me a call as I am still hopefully looking for one more trip to the “C” Nationals the end of August?
I think it has been a fine season so far, a far cry from the problems and fights of last year. Some how I hope that I have been able to influence the attitude of some ball players, hoping on hope that they have learned that it is only a game. Too due your best and that is all you can do, that it is not a matter of life and dead. So many people quote Vince Lombardi with “Winning is not the most important thing, but it is the only thing.” He was a great coach and was a winner; he also got paid lots of money to win and win he did. But something we don’t, we do it for the love of the game.
I more like to think of Steve Youngs’ statement, “The principle is competition against yourself. It’s about self improvement, about being better then you were the day before.” This is what you will take into life with you; this is what will make the difference in tough times. How many of you can name the team that won the league, or even the Nationals 3 years ago. What is more important is how many of you really care. Those of you, who were on that team, will remember the fun, the trip, the fellowship of the players and some of the tournament games that no one else knows. Thirty years from now you will not remember the scores, but you will remember the trip.
Once again I would like you all to go up to Iren Hodge and thank him for the time he has devoted to the travel league. From the effort of securing the fields, the umpires, the hotels. The effort to see it through, taking time from his family, work and the likes. We all, players, fans and umpires owe him a lot. I know the time it takes to update the web page, do the stats, making sure we have the berths to the tournaments etc…..
Gentlemen, it is now time for the rubber to meet the road, with the Tulare weekend coming fast and a National berth on the line it will be quite a weekend. I for one think this will be the best weekend yet and Sunday should be a bunch of great games at the ball park for the fans.
I am sadden to hear that Dave Bell will not be around next year, he is really to young to hang up the cleats, but I honestly can now understand such decisions. I for one know that they are hard to make, but sometimes
necessary.
I would like to extend my best wishes for what ever Dave chooses to do, and may the good Lord bless him with all the righteous desires of his heart.
See you all in Tulare.
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