07/01/2016
Message from Coach Billy V: Salute to a Good Season for the 12 U Pride.
* We played a total of 38 games. Our record was 20 - 15 - 3.
* We played in a Championship Game in 5 of 6 Tournaments.
* We used a total of 16 players during the season. 15 of 16 of them pitched at some point.
* Every player improved over the season and played a significant role.
* We played our best baseball when meeting our biggest challenges. We entered the Cal Ripken Tournament a fledgling 12 U team at best. We left Pigeon Forge an improved and confident 12 U team finally ready to be competitive. The Cal Ripken experience was FUN!
* We had a great group of PARENTS! There was no drama and nobody felt the need to remind coaches how to coach or point out what they did wrong. Coach V acknowledges how often he was wrong, but parents were nothing but supportive. We had a GREAT baseball family!
* Many thanks to Mike Gibson and his family, especially Blake. Also to Eddie Sutton. Not many teams have volunteers with this kind of knowledge and coaching ability who are willing to give an inordinate amount of time without having a child on the field. Coach V is thankful for baseball junkies to be part of his network of coaches and friends.
* Thanks to Tim Anders and Lee Cloer for willingness to always make sure things are in order. Tim has spent many hours discussing, analyzing and planning with Coach V before and after games. Thanks to Amy Anders and Byron McClure for organizing things and to Matt Wike for being the Jackson County connection!
* Finally, going back to our beginning, our major goal was to improve every week and to COMPETE. That goal was accomplished! Practices were about fundamentals of the game, hopefully working toward becoming a high school baseball player. We were never about a moment, winning a tournament or depending on a Superstar. Coach V's desire is that everyone feels they were treated equally and that they became better baseball players. We were a much better baseball team the last week of the season than we were the first week of the season!
