08/25/2021
Bittersweet post to close out the final day of the Fury. Our boys spent August bringing home some hardware in the Valley with two runner-up finishes, including trophies from the Dawg Days tournament and capping it off with rings in the National Ring event.
This season I'm sure was difficult for many. We were sometimes outmatched and because of that the losses piled up. To see the boys battle through these last few tournaments and find ways to win ballgames was a very gratifying experience. Even in defeat the ballgames we played were competitive.
We watched this team progress from mercy rule blowouts to battling very talented teams, forcing them to go a full 6 innings. I saw players develop from not being able to make plays in the field to consistently field their position in the last 2 tournaments. Pitchers struggling to throw strikes putting us in position to compete by pounding the strike zone. I am proud of the improvements and sad that it is time to move on. My greatest hope is that these young men of the Fury despite the losses were able to find joy in this season. That the defeats taught them to persevere and the victories to relish the fruit of hard work. In the end it is a game and meant to be for fun. They may not have always realized it, but these months of baseball brought their coach back to the first love of his life. Baseball and it was a joy for me, and every one of these weekends with the Fury was absolutely fantastic.
I want nothing but the best for these young men in their next endeavors. Baseball and beyond.
First to my 12 year olds moving on to 13U.
Leland Koiner your improvement in how you handle yourself on the field these past few weeks has been tremendous. Keep improving and continuing that focus so that everyone who sees you play can appreciate how talented you are. Go step on the big field with confidence and help Hit Doctor to be successful this coming season, they are lucky to have landed your talent.
Zander Childers I have enjoyed coaching you in both rec and travel. You are ready for the next step and I am excited to see you step up and play with USA Prime this fall. Trust your ability and be ready to work hard for your new coaches. It will be a new experience, but I am confident it will be a productive one.
Caden Marsh I will miss seeing your speed stun our opponents, but I am looking forward to seeing your skills continue to develop. How far you have come in 1 season of baseball is a testament to your athletic ability and competitive spirit. The pure joy of baseball when you knocked out that grand slam in Broadway and then crushed that ball in Bridgewater this weekend. Don't stop playing, I believe you can go far.
Buddy Crawford you may have been late to the party, but you provided some big moments (like 280 to center at Luray). Don't worry there will be plenty more moments for me to give you a hard time.
To our 11 year olds:
Landon Green your progress as a player quite simply allowed us to compete this August. You are an incredible teammate, a positive presence, and a joy to coach. Some of my proudest moments were your first travel ball hit, and seeing you improve covering right field.
Luke Leonard your desire to get your teammates pumped up before games is a trait I loved. Your improvement at the plate and willingness to play multiple positions as needed helped your team tremendously these past few tournaments.
Asher Barnett your positive energy and team first mentality is a trait that will go with you far beyond the baseball field. Your desire to improve for the sole reason of helping your team saw the sweet conclusion this past weekend on the mound. Watching you pitch 3 innings against one of the better 12u teams in the state and hold them to 4 runs was quite simply awesome. You worked hard and it paid off. Take that mentality to everything you do.
To our 10 year olds:
It is not an easy task to play up two age levels. Alex, Patrick, and Tramari you battled every tournament against older, stronger, faster boys and gave us all the ability to compete every weekend. I am looking forward to seeing you all tear it up with the Misfits at 11U
Alex your development on the field is always a source of pride. Multiple seasons coaching you and now watching you move on to a new team will be hard. I know you will be successful and I know those dingers are coming from that big bat. Keep grinding big, bad Alex Kelly! I love you bud!
Patrick Brown keep dominating that dish. Your success on the hill and behind the plate playing up two levels have been fantastic. Keep putting in that work and go show them what Speedy can bring at 11U!
Tramari Minor thank you for always giving your best and bringing that smile to practice and tournaments. One of my favorite moments of the season was your line drive over 3rd for your first hit of the season. You are one of the best teammates and your joy for the game was always appreciated. Keep working hard Greedy!
Last to my boys. I love all the Fury, but at the end of the day I do this for you. I relish all your successes on the field and hurt at your disappointments, but in the end your stats are unimportant. I will always remember the days of the Fury for being finally able to spend my time with you. To be on the field with my sons is something I will always cherish and never forget. Connor and Grayson I love you and am so proud of you both on the field and off. Thank you for every moment.
Baseball is about JOY!
Go Fury!
