What an amazing trip! Many memories and stories to share with all. For now though, please see the "thank-you" to the coaches presented by Nigel Mason on behalf of the players, as well as, Coach Bob's speech at the closing ceremonies ...
FROM THE PLAYERS TO THE COACHES:
This has been an awesome week and we Tecumsehs can't thank you enough for all you've done to get us here. You make us better players and better people and let us have lots of fun along the way. So a BIG thank you!
COACH BOB'S SPEECH AT THE CLOSING CEREMONIES:
The London Tecumsehs Baseball Club from London, Ontario, Canada has been around since 1868. However, this was the first year that they've sent a team to participate in this amazing tournament at the Cooperstown All-Star Village. I can't think of 12 better players and coaches to have spent this inaugural trip with.
We told our boys from the onset that we couldn't control the wins and losses or how the games would play out. The only thing we could control was how we acted. And I am proud to say that how they acted and represented not only themselves, but their team and country, was top-notch. We received numerous compliments from other teams, staff, umpires, and fans about how polite, and fun our boys were to play against. That in itself has made this experience a success.
We came in with the motto of "12-Strong" knowing that it would take a team effort to accomplish our goals over this grueling week long tourney. The boys battled hard every day with 9 games in 4 days, and against some of the best competition from across North America, they managed to pull off a few upsets and finish with a handful of wins. The experience they've gained playing against these top teams will only make them stronger as they head back up North to finish out their season.
They will be bringing home with them countless stories, lots of laughs, and of course many great memories that will last them a lifetime. We look forward to sharing our amazing experience with the other London Tecumseh teams back home as I already know they are excited at the opportunity to attend in the future. And we'll be sure to tell them that it is a "white pants" only tournament.
Many thanks to Dan, Rob, Jay David, LoPed, lil e, lanman, blake the rake, big T, drumstick, luke duke, will the thrill, LeGo, nige, crusher, and mitts.