First, let me start off by thanking all 14 players that put on the Albany Braves uniform this year, for the 55+ World Series in Phoenix, AZ.
To a man, everyone worked their butt off to get as ready for the tournament as they possibly could. Pre-tournament workouts were well attended, and
were quite high energy. With just 14 players, playing nine (9 inning) games in 6 days, everyone had to be ready to push themselves to the brink
of their abilities. The fact that the weather was again, warmer than normal (mid to high 90's every day), made it that much harder.
Team Albany ended up playing double headers on days 1, 3 and 5; and single games on days 2, 4, and 6.
Just 8 pitchers with any real experience made the trip, and 2 of those 8 had very limited experience.

The arms were never really the reason that the Albany Braves didn't come home with the rings:
Jimmy Konstantakis threw 12 innings over 2 starts, winning 1 and getting a no decision in the other. He allowed just 3 earned runs in those 12 innings and collected his second playoff win in as many years.
Darrell Duncan threw 17 innings over his his 3 starts, winning 1, losing 1, and getting a no decision in the other. Darrell allowed just 4 earned runs in those 17 innings, striking out 10 in the process.
Mike Girard picked up 2 wins and a save in his 4 appearances, that covered 13 innings. Mike allowed just 4 earned runs in those 13 innings (3 in one inning), while striking out 10.
Ron Massaroni showed again that he is a big game pitcher, getting his second complete game playoff win in as many years. Ron threw 17 innings in his two starts, and allowed just 3 earned runs in those two outings,
all while dealing with a head cold that he caught on the plane ride out to Phoenix.
Dean Little, in only his second start of the year, got a big win in the Round Robin, hurling 5 innings, giving up just one earned run, allowing just 2 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 2, in getting the win vs the Vermont Red Sox.
Ralph Caputo filled in the gaps, pitching 5 innings in 3 appearances, holding the opponents to just 1 earned run, in his time on the bump.
Scott Ross (another pitcher with little mound experience) threw admirably, giving up just 3 unearned runs in his one 3 inning stint.
It was a great tournament for the Albany pitching staff, throwing so many innings, with so few experienced arms. I don't think that anybody could have expected any more from this group.

The bats were ringing out hits all tournament long (except in the semi-final). Many opponents commented on how deep our order was. With bats like Caputo, Brown, and Massaroni in the 7, 8, and 9 spots all week, it is little wonder that we caught their attention.
Mike Girard led the team in batting average (.469), runs (13), and tied for the lead in RBI's with 12, all while being slowed with a knee injury and a pulled hamstring (game 3).
Dave Mitchell manned the clean up spot all week, and was rock solid. Dave hit .412 for the week and tied Girard for the lead in RBI's with 12. Three of Dave's 14 hits went for extra bases (2 doubles, 1 triple). Dave battled a balky knee for most of the tourney.
Ron Lochner, playing his second tournament in 2 weeks, was his usual self, hitting .432, leading the team in hits (16) and finishing with 10 RBI's. Ron played the last 3 games of the tourney with a swollen and sore right hand, yet you would never know it by the way he swung the bat.
Dean Little had his second stellar World Series in a row, batting .455, with 15 hits and scoring 12 runs. Dean provided great protection for the middle of the order all week (while battling a hammy). Dean now moves on to a new chapter in his life, as he moves to Chicago for a new job. We wish him well and will miss his presence in the CDMSBL. He is as fine a gentleman as he is a ballplayer, and that says a lot because he is a great ball player!
Scott Ross was an incredible lead off hitter, yet again. Scott recorded a .417 average, and was on base a lot more, as his speed caused many a rushed throw, that ended up as errors. It was hilarious to watch the first infielder of each game pick up that routine grounder and look up to see that Scott was already 3/4 of the way to first. Scott added 9 stolen bases, which was by far the best on the team, and likely best in the tournament.
Darrell Duncan manned the 2-hole all week, and did a great job hitting .361, while dealing with his duties of moving Scott along the base paths, and setting up the meat of the order.
Ralph Caputo had a great tournament with the stick, hitting .324, plating 8 RBI's, seemingly all of which were to tie the game or put Albany ahead. Ralph was also clutch with his glove, whether manning third or short.
Tim Brown was amazing, for a player that was returning to the field for the first time, since his serious ankle injury, early in the year. Tim missed the first 2 games, but still managed to hit .360, with 4 runs and 3 RBI's.
Ron Massaroni rounded out 9 Albany hitters that had at least 20 plate appearances and hit above .300 for the week (.316). In addition to his 4 runs, and 3 RBI's, Ron led the team in walks (4) and reached twice via HBP.
Jimmy K only got to the plate 8 times, but was 2 for 5 with 3 walks. Not too shabby.

Defensively, I can't neglect to mention Mike Labarge, who backstopped the Albany defense all week. Mike is a pleasure to throw to, as he calls a great game, and receives the ball extremely well, while keeping everything in front of him. Catching is always the toughest job, and when you play as much as Mike did in the hot desert sun, it takes a lot out of you. He was an iron man, and we couldn't have gotten as far as we did without him. Thanks, Mike!
Jim McQuade hobbled around on a gimpy knee all week, and played a great left field. Jim as he always does, put his interests last when making out the batting order. That is one of the many reasons that players love to play for him. He only took 18 trips to the plate, and yet scored twice and drove in 3 runs, and added 2 walks to his 3 hits.
Wayne Newcomb may have had a tough week at the plate, but he played right field, second base, and third base; basically wherever we needed him. He was selfless all week. A great teammate.
I can't wait to suit up with him on the 55+ Marlins next year.
Last but not least is pool player - Joe Gay. Joe gave Mike Labarge a breather behind the plate, when asked, and played left and right field, when we needed him there. With just 14 players, we were all glad that he joined us for this journey.

I also want to speak to this team's toughness for a second. Just about all of the 14 players had some significant injury or illness during the week.
If it was a hamstring injury (we had at least 4), or any other injury (knees and ankles), the player wrapped it up, took some pain meds, and played on. Others came into the tournament banged up, but none complained and all were able to put whatever the injury was in the rear view, and played with everything they had! Others battled sickness, but nary a one gave in to their affliction. Nobody wanted to let the others on the team down. I couldn't be more proud of my teammates! A great group of guys!

Alas, I think that this was my last trip to Phoenix, for the World Series. The 3 or 4 double headers are just too much in the desert heat for this old body. If I join a tourney team again, it will be in Florida, for the Fall Classic, where you get just one DH. Here's to the off season, and the healing that it brings! See you all in March!