After nearly 3 months of practices and games, a very successful baseball season came to an end to today.
I was honored to help coach the Rookie League (7 & 8 year olds) Mariners of the Western Little League (formerly know as Gardenside Little League).
My daughter (Autumn) and nine other incredible young people make up this very special team.
The team played well together all year and finished the regular season with an impressive 15-3 record. This was good enough for a 1st-place finish in the 8-team Rookie League.
After looking at our team for the first few times back in March, I must admit I thought a .500 record and middle-of-the-pack finish might be the ceiling for this unit.
They overachieved, however, all year long and never quit.
Their efforts paid off in a big way today.
The post-season tournament has been going on nearly all week long this past week, wrapping up with today's finals at Cardinal Run Park.
After winning their first tournament game over the Orioles, the Mariners lost to the 3-seed Athletics on Monday night (June 9th), 13-8.
It would be a long road back for the Mariners, having to win their way out of the loser's bracket.
Wednesday night (June 11th) saw a rematch against the Orioles. This would be the third time facing the O's in a five-day span.
It did not look good early for the Mariners.
The Orioles led 11-3 and the M's looked like they were out of miracles.
Just like they've done nearly all year, the Mariners rallied. They scored 10 unanswered runs, winning 13-11 and living to see another day.
On Thursday night (June 12th), the Mariners took control early and defeated the Marlins, 12-1.
Storm clouds moved in, raining out Friday night's (June 13th) contest versus the number 2 seeded Nationals.
After the rain moved out of central KY and the fields had the morning to dry out, the tournament schedule got back on track on Saturday (June 14th).
The league's picnic and award ceremony was held at 1 pm with the Mariners receiving trophies for their 1st-place regular season finish.
But to win another trophy, the Mariners would have to win three straight against the league's best teams in the warm June sun.
It seemed to be a near impossible task.
The Mariners traveled over to Wolf Run Park (the old home to Gardenside Little League) at 3 pm and knocked off the pesky Nationals, 8-2.
Then it was back over the new park at Cardinal Run for a 5 pm showdown against the A's.
The Mariners would have to beat the A's twice to win the championship.
In Game 1, the Mariners broke open a close game with some big hits late in the game and won, 20-13.
Game 2 was a close contest the entire way.
The Mariners led, 13-8, going into the bottom of the 6th and final inning.
The A's needed five to tie and six to win.
After a quick out, the A's rallied and put 4 runs on the board, setting up a dramatic finish.
A big hit sent the tying run racing towards home.
Despite a throw home, the runner did not slide and was called a out.
While it was a really tough call to make in the championship game, it was a correct one.
The next batter was out at first and the Mariners hung on for a 13-12 win and the tournament championship.
Let me take a moment to say how impressed I was with the A's on how they handled being dealt a really tough hand. It was a terrible way for a season to end.
We know several of the coaches, parents and players from Autumn's t-ball days.
They are all super people and winners, too.
I was honored to help coach the Rookie League (7 & 8 year olds) Mariners of the Western Little League (formerly know as Gardenside Little League).
My daughter (Autumn) and nine other incredible young people make up this very special team.
The team played well together all year and finished the regular season with an impressive 15-3 record. This was good enough for a 1st-place finish in the 8-team Rookie League.
After looking at our team for the first few times back in March, I must admit I thought a .500 record and middle-of-the-pack finish might be the ceiling for this unit.
They overachieved, however, all year long and never quit.
Their efforts paid off in a big way today.
The post-season tournament has been going on nearly all week long this past week, wrapping up with today's finals at Cardinal Run Park.
After winning their first tournament game over the Orioles, the Mariners lost to the 3-seed Athletics on Monday night (June 9th), 13-8.
It would be a long road back for the Mariners, having to win their way out of the loser's bracket.
Wednesday night (June 11th) saw a rematch against the Orioles. This would be the third time facing the O's in a five-day span.
It did not look good early for the Mariners.
The Orioles led 11-3 and the M's looked like they were out of miracles.
Just like they've done nearly all year, the Mariners rallied. They scored 10 unanswered runs, winning 13-11 and living to see another day.
On Thursday night (June 12th), the Mariners took control early and defeated the Marlins, 12-1.
Storm clouds moved in, raining out Friday night's (June 13th) contest versus the number 2 seeded Nationals.
After the rain moved out of central KY and the fields had the morning to dry out, the tournament schedule got back on track on Saturday (June 14th).
The league's picnic and award ceremony was held at 1 pm with the Mariners receiving trophies for their 1st-place regular season finish.
But to win another trophy, the Mariners would have to win three straight against the league's best teams in the warm June sun.
It seemed to be a near impossible task.
The Mariners traveled over to Wolf Run Park (the old home to Gardenside Little League) at 3 pm and knocked off the pesky Nationals, 8-2.
Then it was back over the new park at Cardinal Run for a 5 pm showdown against the A's.
The Mariners would have to beat the A's twice to win the championship.
In Game 1, the Mariners broke open a close game with some big hits late in the game and won, 20-13.
Game 2 was a close contest the entire way.
The Mariners led, 13-8, going into the bottom of the 6th and final inning.
The A's needed five to tie and six to win.
After a quick out, the A's rallied and put 4 runs on the board, setting up a dramatic finish.
A big hit sent the tying run racing towards home.
Despite a throw home, the runner did not slide and was called a out.
While it was a really tough call to make in the championship game, it was a correct one.
The next batter was out at first and the Mariners hung on for a 13-12 win and the tournament championship.
Let me take a moment to say how impressed I was with the A's on how they handled being dealt a really tough hand. It was a terrible way for a season to end.
We know several of the coaches, parents and players from Autumn's t-ball days.
They are all super people and winners, too.
Looking back at the just-finished season, I am really amazed with our group of young men and women on the Mariners.
They never gave up and always played their best to the very end all year long.
If they continue to do this throughout their lives, it will serve them very well.
More important than the trophies that were won today is the life lessons learned: do you very best at all times and you will be a winner (in life).
I must admit I can become somewhat pessimistic about the younger generations. You know: they don't work as hard, they don't try as hard and they aren't as grateful as they should be.
However, I left the ball park tonight feeling a little bit better our future as a country.
With the sun setting in the background, I looked out at both teams on a beautiful grass infield and outfield and saw our future.
I didn't just see ball players, but I saw teachers, doctors, police men/women, ministers, etc.
People who, if they will work hard, work together as a a team and do their best, can and will reach a common goal.
In October, 1924, the famous sportswriter Grantland Rice penned the most famous passage in sports journalism history in describing the the Army-Notre Dame football game. It went like this, "Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.
"In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below."
While I've been a minister for over 10 years now, I began my working life as a sports writer.
Pardon me, but just for old-time sake, I can't pass this opportunity up.
My version of Grantland Rice's masterpiece would go like this:
"Outlined against a hazy June sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Carlton, Beard, Herriford and Hayek."
They never gave up and always played their best to the very end all year long.
If they continue to do this throughout their lives, it will serve them very well.
More important than the trophies that were won today is the life lessons learned: do you very best at all times and you will be a winner (in life).
I must admit I can become somewhat pessimistic about the younger generations. You know: they don't work as hard, they don't try as hard and they aren't as grateful as they should be.
However, I left the ball park tonight feeling a little bit better our future as a country.
With the sun setting in the background, I looked out at both teams on a beautiful grass infield and outfield and saw our future.
I didn't just see ball players, but I saw teachers, doctors, police men/women, ministers, etc.
People who, if they will work hard, work together as a a team and do their best, can and will reach a common goal.
In October, 1924, the famous sportswriter Grantland Rice penned the most famous passage in sports journalism history in describing the the Army-Notre Dame football game. It went like this, "Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.
"In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below."
While I've been a minister for over 10 years now, I began my working life as a sports writer.
Pardon me, but just for old-time sake, I can't pass this opportunity up.
My version of Grantland Rice's masterpiece would go like this:
"Outlined against a hazy June sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Carlton, Beard, Herriford and Hayek."
THANKS for a great season: Sophia, Skylar, Autumn, JJ, John, Brian, TJ, Philip, Drew and Ryan.
THANKS, too, Coach Brian, Coach Richard and Coach Bruce.
THANKS, too, Coach Brian, Coach Richard and Coach Bruce.
It has been a true joy. May God bless you all and hope to see you next season!
4 comments:
Tell Autumn SamIam says congratulations!
As Brian's parents, we are truly thankful for all the effort you've made to help Brian. He gained so much confidence and really started to love baseball. We are bless to have all of you as his coaches! Have a great summer! -Ming
Great blog, Greg. Thanks again for all of your coaching efforts and it was such a fantastic season. During the season, I was taking a class at the same time where we were studying Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. This book not only describes how to acquire financial riches but how to be successful in anything you do. I was amazed how the principles in this book were constantly displayed in this team such as desire, faith, persistence, positive support from parents/coaches, gaining more knowledge to name a few. I had to smile after one game when coach told the players that "quitters never win and a winner never quits" which is right out of the book. Alot of great life lessons were learned by everyone during this season and it will be an experience that we will never forget. Thanks again,
Lisa (Philip's mom)
What a terrific article and so well written. I actually had tears streaming down my face by the end and am still a little blurred as I type. As a single mom raising two children it is nice to hear that others see your child as a winner too. It gives a little reassurance that I'm doing things a least somewhat right. I feel that it was truly a blessing to be put on the Miracle Mariners team this year. T.J., Carleigh and I not only had fun but we met a bunch of people who are genuine. A special thanks to Coach Greg & Coach Brian for not only reaching out to T.J. but to our whole family. Thanks to Richard & Bruce for a great year. Thanks to all the team parents for making it fun at the field. Hope to see you in the fall. As for you Coach Greg, I'll see you and the family at Church.
May The Sun Always Shine Upon Your Face And God's Blessing Always Be At Your Door.
Beth Ann (T.J.'S MOM)
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