Monkton - tourny wrap-up & final thoughts

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 7/6/07 5:22:44 PM 
From:  "brian baillie" <theace012(at)hotmail.com> 

   
Subject:  Monkton - tourny wrap-up & final thoughts  
   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monkton, Ont

Truly, a Dream Come True

Tourny Wrap-up… 2007

(I apologize for the lateness of this letter, as I am currently
in the US 
and unable to compose and send to Al’s immediately)

It never ceases to amaze me how fast our week-end fly’s by. Mind
you, my 
body (and mind) tell me I’ve been far too busy and need to slow
down, which 
I have done the last few days. Yet still, occurrences and memories
of this 
tourney- and fastball in general continue to monopolize my thoughts.

The ballpark returned to its normal self Monday, unfortunately.
I wish it 
could look like that all summer. I feel like an artist who is
unsatisfied 
with his masterpiece – throwing it away and starting from scratch
once 
again. It’s not a good feeling, but it is reality.

However, I and my Exec. Committee are very happy and proud. Once
again we 
raised the bar for ourselves and met it with ease, or so it seems,
but it 
does not happen with a snap of ones fingers nor is it magic.
A vision, a 
goal, a plan, and a team to execute the plan are absolutely crucial.
Doing 
the absolute best job possible is our only option. This past
week-end is the 
fruit of that compulsion.

We were blessed to have glorious sunny days, cool fresh nights,
and 
spectacular fastball all week-end long. The final result had
the So. Cal 
Bombers claiming top honours in our tourney, and is a true testament
that 
any one of the approx. top 10 ranked teams have a legit shot
at winning the 
World’s in Kitchener. Congrats to Kelly McGiffin, Rob Schick,
the Trejo’s – 
Ralph Sr. and Jr. and the entire Bombers organization. Equally
as impressive 
was the Kitchener Hallman Twins, who served notice that they
too can and 
will contend in every game of every tourney, and relish the opportunity
to 
walk off with a championship ring on home turf come August.

The week-end was not without disappointment and heartache to
a few teams, 
yet, as any team in any pro sport can tell you, things don’t
and can’t 
always go as planned. Hard work, dedication, perseverance, and

professionalism are all traits that every single player and team
in Monkton 
come with, and the willingness to win fizzes through every fastballers
veins 
each time they put on the uniform. Why else would our great game
retain it’s 
fascination?

Our sport is blessed to have some of the most genuine and caring
people in 
the world. We read stories about a number of teams and players
dedicating 
their time and efforts to our youth in hopes of having them carry
on the 
legacy of our game for generations to come. Part of our intention
in 
Monkton, is to bring fastball back to it’s glory days. To watch
children 
play on their lawns, schoolyards, and ball parks – FASTBALL!
Some playing 
by themselves, mimicking the pitching motion pretending to be
a young Darren 
Zack or Andrew Kirkpatrick. Or swinging a bat – hitting one “out
of the 
yard” – as does Travis Wilson, Jody Eidt, and others too numerous
to 
mention. We need our children to have dreams, and for them to
have 
“fastball” dreams should make us all feel like a proud “parent
of the game”. 
Our inaugural “Sun-Life Day Camp for Kids” was in fact just this.
Kids 
having fun, making crafts, learning more about the game, and
simply just 
being at the ballpark. Some of them had their dreams come true
when the 
entire Broken Bow Gremlin team arrived to interact, answer questions,
and 
partake in an autograph and picture session at the end of the
camp. To see 
the smiles, looks, and twinkle in the children’s eyes was priceless
and 
something even I will never forget. Thanks Sun Life and thank
you Gremlins 
for fulfilling dreams that day!

Big thanks go to Easton, who sponsored our 2nd edition of the
Easton Home 
Run Challenge. The 9 participants: Brad Robinson – Jarvis, Dale
Levy – 
Twins, Pat Shannon – Gremlins, Lois Joglar – Patsy’s, Pat McKintosh
– 
Saskatoon, Jeff Goolagong – Farm, Darren Box – So Cal., Steve
Mullaley – 
Orillia, and defending champion Travis Wilson – Patsy’s put on
a fantastic 
show for a huge crowd! Round 1 had Dale Levy, Darren Box, and
Travis Wilson 
advance to the second round, where everyone watched as Travis
put on a “home 
run derby hitting clinic” by smacking balls consecutively over
the fence – 
and all with only 1 “out”. Incredible job Travis – thanks and
well done!

I have so many thank you’s to send, I don’t know where to begin.
So here 
goes… (I sincerely hope I don’t omit anyone – if so, please accept
my 
apologies)…
Set-up and tear-down crew – huge thanks! It was hot on Monday
and Tuesday!!
Grounds crew – amazing job all week-end!
Umpires – world class once again.
Scoring and announcing crew – excellent!
Broadcasting – well done Steve, George and Al.
Food booth – delicious and with a smile!
Pie & Ice Cream Concessions – scrumptious!
Bar and Beer tent staff – always cold, and with a smile!
Security Staff – must have been good, it’s all still here!
Parking Crew – organized to a ‘T’
Day Camp staff – well done!
Night clean-up crew – immaculate!
Gate staff – welcoming, cheery and friendly…great job!
Arena staff – huge thanks and praise!!

The tourney Executive Committee… words cannot express how I feel,
nor will 
it do justice to the time and effort you all sacrifice.
It does not happen without you!!!!!

As mentioned earlier, to the teams, players, coaches, managers
and 
owner/sponsors. It is always a pleasure to not only have you
here, but to 
work with you all months prior to our event. Classy, friendly,
co-operative, 
professional, and very friendly are you all. I look forward to
seeing you 
all soon.

I could write forever, and my time is limited, so I must summarize
as such:

To all the fans of this beloved game.
I will speak for not only myself, but for the teams and players
too. A 
tournament is nothing without fans. The game would not exist
without fans. 
Your compassion, emotion, and love of the sport is unlike any
other. Many 
are “regulars” here. Many come from distant places. Many are
former players 
themselves. But most importantly, each and everyone of you simply
love the 
game.

Heartfelt thanks, best wishes, and god-speed to all.


Brian Baillie – Chairman
World Fastball Invitational
theace012(at)hotmail.com



 

 Al's Fastball News
*Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com
   fastball at pmihrm.com
NEWS-1: http://www.AlsFastball.com/
NEWS-2: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball


VIA http://www.webbox.com