Good Bye All

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Member

• Jul 26, 2009

• #1

I knew this day would come, just a little sooner than I anticipated. As this season draws to an end and try-outs approach, our DD has decided not return to travel ball next season. She did not come to this decision lightly, but it is one that her mother and I will honor. We have taught her to make educated decisions and when she first got into travel ball at 10U with the Classics, we told her when she said she was done, and then we would honor that decision, no questions asked and no regrets. She is a great kid and I love her a lot (even when she gives me "The Look").

Our family has had a great time in travel ball. We have met and made many friends that we wouldn't have met otherwise. We will not lose these friends; we will still see many during the HS softball season. We have had the opportunity to be with 2 great organizations, the Ohio Classics and the Ohio Stingrays. If every family had the opportunity to have the great experiences with an organization like we did with the Stingrays and the Classics, then we would never have the threads about bad organizations.

I have learned a lot in the last 6 years. I think the most important thing that I have learned and needs to be emphasized is that the younger age groups need to be about repetitions and correct coaching, not assembling the most talented girls at that age group and trying to collect hardware.

What will I do now? DW (darling wife) would like me to catch up on the home projects and there is a bunch of fishing gear in the garage that hasn't been used in the last 6 years.

I will still be stalking the forum, just not as much as I have been. Take care and God Bless.

Bill Van Almsick

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #2

Good luck Bill & family!

 

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Member

• Jul 26, 2009

• #3

That's too bad Bill. I watched her play in the fall at Best of the Best, and she is a stud! She'll probably have a great time playing HS ball tho, and who knows, maybe change her mind.

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #4

let me just say that i know the decision did not come without some trepidation and angst, not necessarily for her, but for ur family as well. You backed up ur words like a true father. Amen.

We love ur girl, playing with her on occasion, against her and using her as a tool for motivation...hehe, as my DD started playing catcher, we used her as a gauge as to where she wanted to get as a player..we even had a nickname for her..instead of van almsick, we called her von huge cause she's so stout and tall (well, everyone is tall to my DD)

wish u the best
Ray

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #5

Bill-

Just want to say Thanks for all the hard work you put in while you were with the Stingrays!!!

As for your DD best of luck to here and your family. hope to see you around the ball fields now and then.

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #6

Hey Bill, those fish aren't going to catch themselves!

Good for you honoring your DDs wishes, good luck to your DD and to your DW in trying to get you to get those projects done! Lol

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #7

well said bill!
this was our first summer off in 4 years..girls burn out & due to money issues neither of my girls got to play this summer. we have really enjoyed the summer and having free weekends! you will too!..plus the homefront looks alot better this summer!..best of luck to you and your family!

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #8

Bill, we will miss your family. Our DD's started together at 10U with the Ohio Classics and have been addicted to softball ever since. We have great memories from that season. Thanks for all your hard work over the years on the Stingrays tournament. We will really miss you and your family. Bob Nichols, Heart of Ohio Force.

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #9

Bill, it was truly an honor meeting you and watching the daughters play together, at Best of Best and this weekend. Tell the DD I'll be holding onto the pink bracelet she made and hopefully she'll get to see me wearing it at another tournament. Good luck and God Bless, and Bill, catch only the big ones!!!

Dave.

 

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• Jul 26, 2009

• #10

Bill naturally wouldn't say it, but this is a loss for the Stingrays in terms of all the great work that Bill has put in over the years.

Not having to do with Bill's daughter's decision, this is one negative aspect of all of us having tryouts in August. I can't begin to count how many times I have told girls that the worst time to decide not to play the following season is at the end of the current season. By late July, everyone is on edge, burned out to varying degrees, and many are ready to have the season end. And for many, around February or so, the itch returns.

 

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Member

• Jul 26, 2009

• #11

Wow Bill, I hope she can take some time and truly enjoy her school ball! The Rays will really miss her and your family as your efforts to the organization as well, cannot go unnoticed. Reasons for everything they say and it all works out for the best. Amazing how a small game can bring many together for the common good...

Enjoy the time you will have together!

 

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• Jul 27, 2009

• #12

Bill,
This was the first time we played against the Blair Stingrays and I am glad that our 14s had a chance to see your daughter's arm and command presence behind the plate. It was an awesome game for us, even though we came up a few runs short! Summers at a different pace is good....and who knows, what another year will bring?

The best of everything to your daughter and happy, lazy fishing for you!

Rona Dorsey
Ohio Dragons

 

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• Jul 27, 2009

• #13

Good Luck to you and your family Bill.

 

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• Jul 27, 2009

• #14

There could always be the Brett Farve deal. You never know

 

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• Jul 27, 2009

• #15

Bill, if she's a typical teenager then there's a good chance she will change her mind. Here's hoping.........

Len

 

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• Jul 27, 2009

• #16

Bill,

Good luck to you and dd. When I knew nothing about competitive fast pitch (5-6 years ago), I always looked to your posts along with Joe A's, and some others to guage whether I was "seeing" things correctly. Now that I know a little more after 6 years (not much more though ), I still do.

A word of advice ... FORCE her to play! That's what I did. Worked out great for me, dd loves fastpitch now, even though she HATES ME .... that is a win in my book (I have 3 others).

Kidding aside, best wishes wherever you go, whatever you do. Hope you stay around the boards, sharinging your wisdoms, along with your enthusiasm for the game. Cheers!

 

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #17

good luck to you, and good luck to your DD in her HS ball.

 

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• Jul 27, 2009

• #18

Truly one of the nicest and most geniune people I have met during this softball experience. Hopefully she changes her mind. Good luck to you and your family Bill.

Adam Wahl

 

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #19

Never met you or your DD, but good luck to you next summer! My DD just informed us last night that she was wrong about not wanting to play tourny ball next year. Maybe that will happen for you. If not, enjoy your fishing, and if you need a 12 year old boy to take with you, I know of one who would rather be doing that than going to his sister's games!

Charlene

 

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• Jul 27, 2009

• #20

Thanks for all your wisdom, insight, and advice you have given to all us OFCer's. Goodluck and enjoy your summer if she doesn't change her mind!!