Dynasty!!!!!!

bruce massey · June-8th-2008, 08:50 PM

Well now that I caught up on my sleep it's time to report the good news. The Juneau Douglas Crimson Bears are Alaska State Softball Champions for an unprecedented 6th time!

This is a terrific group of girls and the best team we have ever fielded. Despite our past successes we have always had someone we had to "hide" defensively. This team is so solid that we went north and basically dominated from the start. Our outfield totally broke the spirit of the competition. We don't have the incredible power pitching that we have had in the past but when contact is made our defense was terrific. Opposing fans saw quite a number of balls hit solidly to the outfield and would cheer mightily only to find one of our three fleet footed, sure handed outfielders get to the ball and come up gunning.

A matter of fatherly pride, my youngest had a terrific series and came away with Player of the Game honors in our first game in the winners bracket on Saturday.

We have won four titles in the past five years and been in the Title game for about 11 years straight.

http://juneauempire.com/stories/0608...88002330.shtml

This is Krista Barril, our right fielder making a spectacular catch on the run.

GoodSpeak · June-8th-2008, 09:16 PM

Wow!

Congratulations, Coach!

That is an awesome achievement to say the very least. Enjoy the win, Bruce

patricia · June-8th-2008, 11:11 PM

Yayyy Crimson Bears!!!!
Congratulations to you and your girls, Bruce.

Ron Thorne · June-8th-2008, 11:21 PM

Congratulations Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears!

GoodSpeak · June-8th-2008, 11:40 PM

BOO-ya!!!

bruce massey · June-9th-2008, 12:00 AM

Thanks guys. Gotta say that the final game is always a killer.

Your macho buddy shed a bunch of tears in saying goodbye to the seniors.

One girl I've had since she was seven, another I had to battle some bullying team mates four years ago who didn't think she was worthy of a varsity spot. She wound up on the All Tournament Team the past two years and she wrapped her arms around me and we both got teary after the win.

That's the ultimate pay off.

GoodSpeak · June-9th-2008, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce massey

Your macho buddy shed a bunch of tears in saying goodbye to the seniors.

I do that every graduation, Bruce.

Especially since my Son graduated this year. I held on until his name was announced....then it came.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce massey

Thanks guys.

No charge.

jesus marion joseph · June-9th-2008, 10:34 AM

Congrats to you and your girls, Bruce. And toughen up you pussy!

Chris D · June-9th-2008, 11:41 AM

Nice work, coach.

bruce massey · June-9th-2008, 12:28 PM

Thanks again.

Years ago I would tell friends in Anchorage I was coming (includes you Thorney) but when we lost that series (shich I knew we should have won) I ceased this practice.

We haven't lost since so the superstition holds.

Thorney we'll get together!

Chris, you have to be knee deep in Little League at this point. How's it goin?

Your boy got an A 2000 on his hand?

Chris D · June-9th-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce massey

Chris, you have to be knee deep in Little League at this point. How's it goin?

Your boy got an A 2000 on his hand?

So far, so good, except for the 8-year-old going off after his dad called him out at third last week and earning a one-game suspension. He's actually got an A450 (for the little guys). He's showing an aptitude for catching, which I'm ambivalent about.

This actually hasn't been released to the public yet, but Bush is throwing a national invitational Tee Ball game on the White House lawn in July for his last year in office. (They've done it each summer, but the invitees have all been East Coast Little Leaguers.) One kid from every 50 states will be invited. Our 6-year-old was selected as the Wisconsin representative. Here he is:

patricia · June-9th-2008, 12:52 PM

The kid looks like a competetor to me.

jazzy mary · June-9th-2008, 12:55 PM

Bruce, I feel you, baby! First of all, congrats! THAT IS FANTASTIC! YOUR GIRLS ARE BEAUTIFUL ATHLETES!! Isn't it so exciting to see these young women play with all their hearts & guts!!?

My older daughter was the pitcher on her H.S. team and she played her last game the end of May.

Softball is her life! We're hoping she'll be able to play for Ursinus College in the fall (Div. III--Centennial Conference).

Alastair · June-9th-2008, 12:57 PM

clinthopson · June-9th-2008, 01:46 PM

Did you see John Kruk trey to make contact with a pitch by one of those lady softball pitchers? You think he struck out a lot in the Bigs, he looked pitiful waving and that ball.

bruce massey · June-9th-2008, 04:37 PM

Since the distance is only about 2/3 that of hardball a 67 MPH pitch requires about the same reflex speed as a high 90's or eve 100 MPH fastball.

I think men would have a helluva time making contact with a riseball since they never experience that.

It is why I love the game so much. softball is a totally different game than baseball and these gals play hard.

Jazzin-congrats! The comaraderie and competition are life skills that will serve her well beyond the game.

Chris congrats! The travelling our girls have done has always been a great aspect of participation.

Chris D · June-9th-2008, 04:58 PM

Thanks, Bruce. I didn't mean to derail your thread.

We watched tons of the NCAA Women's World Series. Great ball.

jazzy mary · June-9th-2008, 05:06 PM

"We watched tons of the NCAA Women's World Series. Great ball."

It was fantastic! And do you guys watch girls' college softball? It's fantastic too!

Chris D · June-9th-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

"We watched tons of the NCAA Women's World Series. Great ball."

It was fantastic! And do you guys watch girls' college softball? It's fantastic too!

Um, that's what I was talking about.

bruce massey · June-9th-2008, 09:07 PM

When we took the girls to Phoenix we took in games at ASU and U of A. Past and present champions.

It really pisses me off that this is the last Olympics for softball. The Pacific rim is hot on the game. Fuckin Europeans can't play but the biggest bitch is that the USA rep is the one who screwed the pooch. Softball lost by one vote and our asshole abstained.

jazzy mary · June-10th-2008, 10:51 AM

Oh yeah, what's that pitcher's name for Arizona? She's great. It is such a shame about the Olympics. It's ridiculous, really.

I am probably (per usual) confused. I wish my daughter were here to post, she could clarify it all for me. The college softball games we have been watching & the World series are the same thing?

Bruce, where is your daughter going to school next year and is she playing softball there?

Chris D · June-10th-2008, 10:57 AM

The women wrapped up their World Series (for softball) a couple of weekends back.

The men are in the Super Regionals. The men's College World Series starts Saturday in Omaha.

bruce massey · June-10th-2008, 02:10 PM

Jazzin, Hannah will be a senior next year and has no plans to play in college. Madison got a scholarship to Olympic College in Washington and that team had their most successful season ever.

This is from their web site and that's Madison at bat lacing one for a single and an RBI.

jazzy mary · June-10th-2008, 03:33 PM

You go, girl! Thanks for the pic., Bruce.

GoodSpeak · June-10th-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

The women wrapped up their World Series (for softball) a couple of weekends back.

The men are in the Super Regionals. The men's College World Series starts Saturday in Omaha.

Yeah...and my Dirtbags didn't make it.

Grrrrr

bruce massey · June-10th-2008, 10:41 PM

Bonus Time!

In an early post I mentioned a girl that I've coached since she was seven.
Well her name is Carrie Ann Laliberte and today she was selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year.

Fine pitcher (tough as nails, never gets rattled) 2nd base, good stick and hell on the bases!

This is a great kid!

http://www.adn.com/sports/prep/softb...ry/432124.html

Lenny D.Guitarist · June-10th-2008, 11:18 PM

Mr. Massey,
"Congratulations" seems to be insufficient. Considering their unprecedented successes, your girls must be the best student/athletes on the planet. Coaching them has to be an indescribable source of joy for you. Simply awesome stuff.

jazzy mary · June-11th-2008, 10:43 AM

I think Lenny has managed to express our sentiments perfectly. Thanks, Lenny!!

bruce massey · June-11th-2008, 02:15 PM

Yep!

Last year we became the first and only championship team to also get the top scholastic award for highest team GPA.

Lenny, the joy you speak of is the ultimate reward. My years have left with with an extended family. I have close to forty daughters.

Toward the end of our season the graduates began trickling in from college and I was thrilled by the sound of "BRUUUUUUCE" which was quickly followed by and endearing hug and kiss on the cheek.

This is what I am supposed to do with my life. Ain't nothing but a big kid myself.

Lenny D.Guitarist · June-15th-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce massey

Yep!

Last year we became the first and only championship team to also get the top scholastic award for highest team GPA.

Lenny, the joy you speak of is the ultimate reward. My years have left with with an extended family. I have close to forty daughters.

Toward the end of our season the graduates began trickling in from college and I was thrilled by the sound of "BRUUUUUUCE" which was quickly followed by and endearing hug and kiss on the cheek.

This is what I am supposed to do with my life. Ain't nothing but a big kid myself.

Mr. Massey,
If you're doing something that you love, you'll never work a day in your life. Excellent accomplishments by you and your 40 kids. By the way, that pitcher looks formidable. From 45 feet away, that riser must be equivalent to 90 MPH or so.