2008 Season - Final Coaches' Note

It's hard to believe that another season has come and gone -- each year seems to go by faster.  I guess that this year went by especially quickly is that it was so much fun for me.

No matter what the record says, this was perhaps the best team, top to bottom, that Coach Bridgens and i have ever had the privilege of coaching.  You all played hard, listen to instructions (when necessary) and most importantly, showed up for the games.  You don't know how much easier this made things for the coaches!

Final kudos to (in decreasing age order):

• Nicole Cicala (last year in ARA), who even though was unable to play because of knee surgery for about half the season, still showed up for games and cheered and encouraged her teammates.  She has great team spirit and will be missed.
• Elizabeth Joyce (last year in ARA), was a great player, offensively and defensively, and had great team spirit; she was like having another coach in the field.  She will also be missed.
• Maggie Thomas, (i have to be careful what i say here!), always tried hard and had a great knack for getting on base.
• Caroline Stanley, hit and pitched well throughout the season.
• Tessa Crist, was absolute rock at second base, one of the best at that position that i have ever seen.
• Kelsey Keaveney, although she could not run well (knee) throughout the early part of the year, still gutted it out and played.  We asked a lot of her pitching (she pitched a lot of innings) and she performed superbly, without complaint.
• Bethany Steckel, (last year in ARA [she's moving]), had a great eye at the plate; i've never seen anyone have more three balls and two strike counts ever.
• Katie Joyce, a terrific batter and defensive player...hard to believe she has two more years she can play in ARA!
• Nicole Bridgens, anchor of our defense at shortstop and an awesome hitter (she may just hit one out on Field E before she's done).  It seems as if she's been playing in Seniors forever, but she also has two years left.
• Amelia Stettler, probably one of the most improved players i've seen...she caught anything and everything hit to her in right field, including some not so easy plays.
• Maria Gursky, a very quiet person, always listened well to instructions and gave her best all the time.
• Brianna Allen, (codename "Hawaii"), a solid left handed hitter.  This was only her first season in Seniors...she's only going to get better.
• MaryGrace Joyce, was an excellent outfielder (even though she didn't really like playing there), caught everything hit to her.  She is a much better player than she realizes.
• Megan Kelly, unfortunately missed a lot of games in the beginning because of her school's team's schedule.  She has great potential, i see great things for her in the future, she's only going to get better.

Thank you all for an awesome season!  I hope to see you all next year in ARA.

Take care and God bless you all,

Mr. T.