Time to catch up!!! Part One......

Hey Guys,

Sorry for the time lag between posts but iit has been a busy three months. First, we were wide open with Dixie Youth Baseball. It was a great season over at Collyer Park. With the untimly death of Tommy Powell earlier in the year many felt that Laurens Dixie Youth Basebakll was in trouble. Tommy had been a steady rock that the program was built on.

Thankfully, Tommy left a solid foundation that the league could build on and with the help of several individuals, the league thrived this year. First off, Albert Wilson, longtime friend and assistant to Tommy was named president of the league and he stepped up to the plate and really came through. From personal experience I know what pressure Albert felt, and he handled it all with style and grace. He worked his @$$ off to insure that the season went off without a hitch, sometimes putting in 14 t0 16 hour days at the ball park. He exceeded all anyone could ask for a person to achieve after being thrust into a difficult position to say the least. Not only did he survive the first season, he and the league thrived. The league saw an increase in the number of players for the third straight year, the fields were completely re-worked and looked great, and everyone had a great time. Couple with that the league had two highly successful district tournaments, I don't know what anyone could have asked Albert to achieve. Tommy would be proud of Albert, I can guarantee you that.

Albert's Grade...... A+

Albert didn't do all this on his own though, he had a group of folks that were behind him and did their best to help him out. First up, Eddie Broulette was there to lend his help and support to Albert whenever and wherever he was needed. Eddie and Tommy were great friends so I know this was a difficult task for him to do because he and Tommy were such great friends. Eddie came through even in the most difficult of times for the league. Thanks Eddie!!! Tommy would be proud of you!

Another person that deserves a pat on the back if Terry Grubbs. Terry stepped up, filling in for Albert when needed, helping around the office, helping out on the fields, even stepping in and umpiring some games as needed. Terry, you done good, Thanks for all your hard work,

Albert had the worlds biggest head groundskeeper in "Cuzzo" Quincy Cook. Quincy worked his butt off on those fields this season. I'd like to have a dime for every hour that Cuzzo spent working on the fields. Not only did he put a bunch of hours in working on the fields, he also found the time to be head coach of the undefeated championship team in the 9 and 10 year old age group. Good Job Cuzzo, you are a great right hand man, and a great coach.

Well folks, I didn't realize that this was going to be such a long blog, and I still have a lot I need to say so I am going to make this into a two parter.

Continued on Part Two: