I recently read a quote from a fellow baseball mom that went
something like this: "It takes talent to win games, but it takes
teamwork and determination to win championships!" And that is just
what the South Winneshiek Warriors' Baseball Team is accomplishing this
year. As the mom of one of the members of the team (the catcher) I
couldn't be more proud.
The Warriors definitely have a number of talented players! Every
position is filled by at least one talented player with qualified
skills. But talent alone, can not win championships. It takes a team
-- a team with spirit, heart and dedication! This group of guys has all
of those things! They share a history and a friendship filled with
memories and even a few superstitions. They have been playing together
since they were very young. They know each others' talents (and
weaknesses) and they know how to work together and motivate each other
with their friendship. As children, they competed against each other in
little league, learned to work together during their early year's of
travel teams, and even enjoyed getting a glimpse of how far they could
go by competing in the Iowa Games a number of years ago. These boys
really WANT to play baseball - and truly love the game. They even
practice during the off-season -- not because they are told to, but
because they are eager to play the game! The team has a unique depth of
players on the bench -- a smaller group than many, but the bench is
lined with special teammates with years of dedication and loyalty, a few
with up and coming talent, and even those who just want to be part of
the team!
The Warriors are blessed with the opportunity to learn from
talented and open minded coaches who guide the boys with experience,
knowledge and skill while allowing them to lead themselves when the time
is just right. And then there are the team's devoted fans -- fellow
classmates, dedicated family members, loyal community members and even a
group of girls who "love their baseball guys"!
As one of the devoted fans, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching each
and every one of these boys grow from wide-eyed, inexperienced little
leaguers with big hearts and big dreams to become seasoned high school
athletes achieving their goals one at a time to become Conference
Champions, District Champions and State Qualifiers, taking on the
challenge to make their mark on the history of South Winneshiek
baseball!
On-to-State Boys! You make us all proud!!
