A year end message from the President of Thousand Oaks Little League
As the 2010 season slowly winds down, I wanted to take time to reflect on the 42nd season coming to a close. This season was different than most others over the past 9 years that I have been the President. We embarked on several major capital improvement projects which included new concrete around the snack shack, painting of the exterior of the snack shack, a new ice machine, and a new freezer to bring a higher level of service and quality of products to our little league families. We rebuilt the Acorn II score tower, and put concrete in the batting cage. These are just several of the larger projects that we completed to provide a better experience for our little league families.
As the season began, we were faced with heavy rains that flooded our fields numerous times and delayed our opening day by two weeks (this was the first time in the past 9 years I have been the President). Although delayed by two weeks, Opening Day was filled with many smiles and wonderful weather for all to enjoy with our opening day speaker Steve Garvey.
The seasons go by faster and faster as we all get older. A good friend of mine once said enjoy the moments we have at Thousand Oaks Little League as they go by way too fast. No truer words have ever been spoken. It has been over 5 years since my last son played on a Juniors field. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about the times my two boys played baseball for Thousand Oaks Little League. The fun, the laughter, the sadness, and the friendships made, all rolled up into one great big ball of emotions.
If I could share any words of wisdom that I have gathered from many friends over the years being involved in baseball, "let your children be children". Let them fail, let them succeed, let them understand disappointment; let them share in the happiness even if it is from their own accomplishments on the field. Remember this is only Little League. The chance of any child playing professional baseball is 1 in over 70,000. We have such great opportunities to learn from being involved in Little League of which none come from winning or loosing.
Everything you need to learn in life you can learn on a baseball field. You learn how to win with class, and lose with dignity. You learn how to play fair, and strive to win. You learn to respect your teammates, coaches, umpires and fans. You also learn to respect the game. You learn passion, drive, determination, commitment, and how to deal with adversity. You learn how to fail and pick up the pieces. You learn that success or failure is for the "moment". It is not for tomorrow and not for yesterday. You learn how to battle and give it your all.
So as we finish out the season, remember we are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for. None of these blessing has anything to do with winning. Take time to reflect and give thanks. Thanks to those who have devoted their time to your family, your children and the game of baseball. Give thanks for living in a free country, your family's health, and to all that keep us out of harms way each and every day. Enjoy the rest of your season and thanks for choosing Thousand Oaks Little League as your source of America's favorite pastime.
And as reminder, a message from your President "Thousand Oaks Little League ROCKS and that's the bottom line."
Your biggest fan, see you all next year.
President
Thousand Oaks Little League
Home of the 2006 Big League World Series Champions