FORT MYERS, Fla. - As Tom Maney, Bill Smith and I relax in Eden House condo unit 605, we can't help feeling empty as another baseball season comes to an end.
But as Tom and I kick up some mixers and the snores of Bill Smith on the floor void the silent disappointment of our elimination game, I reflect.
Life is good. It was a good week - a great experience and something we all believe we will build on.
To a man, none of us believe we were outclassed in the 4A Division. We belonged. We know what needs to be done to win and we know what adjustments we need to make for 2014.
The Ohio Classics are a good team. They play solid tournament baseball. We needed to execute like they did.
Despite the loss, I can say I am extremely proud of the 17 members of this team.
A special thanks to Nancy LaTorre, who kept the book for us all week and to the wives and girlfriends who supported us all week.
Thanx to Jim and John LaTorre, who, without them, we'd have had a depleted pitching staff. Jim came off the shelf after having not played in 2013. After this experience, he's already talking about next year, so don't think he's done. Both were lights out in the innings they pitched.
Skip Lyons saved us big time. He also came off the shelf to come down and catch. He and Bill Smith caught the entire tournament. Talk about sacrificing your body! Had we advanced, Skip would have been catching Jim LaTorre for the right to go to the title game.
Bob Yakatan, who didn't decide till late to come down, had a huge impact on our success and garnered a few MVP votes for his OF play and his bat and speed.
Wayne Newcomb, coming off several injuries, including a concussion, had a sensational tournament. He played OF, IF, pitched, hit extremely well, stole bases and was our silent leader. Jerry Hawkins, who we all know is among the best hitters in CDMSBL and anywhere else, missed two games with leg cramps, yet sucked it up for the final game and hit the ball hard.
Also a special thanx to Terry Barton for being the "captain'' of the OF. Tim Brown, Jerry Hawkins, Ralph Caputo handled the infield, Billy Smith and Skip Lyons rotated the catching.
Paul Watson, Jim Reynolds and Wayne Carney handled the !B duties.
Jerry Solomon pitched extremely well, especially in his opener, and also came up with key hits during the week and played a solid 3B as well.
We also had a nice team chemistry with no controversies among the ranks. We discussed strategies, came to conclusions and agreed on final decisions.
It was also a pleasure to have Brad Larson of DePere, Wis., with us after not having played baseball in many years. He gave us speed in the OF and on the bases and added a couple of hits during the week.
Also thanx to Randy Craft, who came down from North Port, Fla., and coached 1B for us today. Roy Hobbs agreed to allow him on the field as long as he signed a waiver and didn't play.
Most importantly, we created a lot of great memories. Nights out were fun, Sue Caputo can dance up a storm.
Out tonight for a fun evening and Saturday watch the title game at 10 a.m.
See you all in 2014. jimk
-- Edited by sfgiants on Saturday 23rd of November 2013 07:00:13 AM
well done, everyone. congratulations to each guy on really fine play. though i'm not quite sure how hearing billy smith's snores lessens the disappointment. maybe you just gotta be there.
in fact, that's it. you do.
which gives me an idea for you for next year: 35 players from albany?
there's a model for it.
some 15 years ago, i played in a 45+ tournament in phoenix for a san antonio team against a san diego team called berry's. we had 16 guys on our team, and we were stunned to see berry's pull into the lot at the mariners' complex in a monster, reclining-seat bus they'd rented. suddenly, the bus began disgorging players - 35 in fact, plus a trainer, a masseuse, and an equipment manager. and, oh yes, a manager.
35 guys might make life difficult for a manager, eh jim? but, tell you this, each of those guys was refreshed.
berry's went 8-0 and each guy got a ring.
but a decision on 2014 can wait. enjoy your mixers. you earned them.
-mike
-- Edited by mhart on Saturday 23rd of November 2013 02:07:02 AM
It was fun watching you guys play. You all had a very good tournament and had some fun. It does not get any better than playing baseball in the sun in November. Next year can't come fast enough.
Congrats to you guys....i know it sucks with a loss but you guys played extremely well. I looked forward to reading the posts to see how you guys were doing, and occaisonally i got a message from tommy letting me know how you were doing. next year is the year.....i can feel it:)
