Before the 2007 Stilly Valley Girls Major Fast Pitch All Star team rides off into the sunset, and the proverbial The End is stamped to the bottom of our epic adventure, the girls and I would like to express our appreciation and thank everyone for their support over the last two months. We had an outstanding run, capturing the District 1 Championship, the Washington State Championship and taking 3rd Place in the Western Regional Tournament. Though the girls from Stilly Valley did not make it to the World Series, 5, 10 even 15 years from now, they will know that not only were they the first girls major team from Arlington and Lakewood to go as far as they did, but that in 2007 the Dream Team can proudly claim they were one of the top 15 teams in the U.S. for Little League Girls Major Softball.
First, we would like to thank the Arlington Times and John Mietus for the outstanding coverage they provided during the girls run. As a manger, I was pleased to see John at most of our games and for those he was unable to attend, he did not hesitate to call me for results and high-lights. He did a good job including all of the girls names in his various articles and for a child this is a huge deal. They will always have his articles from 2007 to share with their children and grandchildren.
Secondly, I would like to thank the parents, grandparents and family friends of the girls. They made this run an enjoyable experience for all of us. All the girls were at each practice on time, to each game early, and many of the parents stood in the outfield shagging balls while the girls had hitting practice. Prior to each game, they boosted the girls morale and confidence, cheering loudly as they took infield. During the games they wore their Stilly Valley colors proudly and cheered like teenagers at their high school games. I will always remember our semi-final game against Southern California, my father waving a pom pom in a cheer and four moms Wendy Chase, Nicole Aune, Kathy Ladines and Sheri Amundson standing in front of the crowd, leading them in the spelling of Stilly Valley. To all the parents, grandparents and family friends we thank you. During this run I can only hope the girls gained a further appreciation of your commitment and love for them and when the day comes that they are parents, they give to their children as you gave for them.
Lastly, we would like to thank the community and local businesses of Arlington, Lakewood, Stanwood and Marysville for their donations and time. Arlington Mayor Margaret Larson was a big fan of the girls, attending as many games as she could and working in the background to help the girls raise funds for their state and regional tour. She coordinated appearances for the girls at the Arlington Rotary Club and Arlington City Council meeting, allowing the children to feel like celebrities for a short period in their life. In addition to Mayor Larson the following companies and individuals donated time and funds to the team Pharm-Olam International, Wesmar Western Marine Electronics, Arlington Rotary, Dominick V. Driano PLLC, Pacific Mariner, Inc., Victoria Heights, LLC/Bulldog, Cuz Concrete Products, Inc., Craigs Custom Construction (Craig and Roberta Backlund), Smokey Point Orthodontics, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Casey Jacobs, Stilly Valley Crusader Softball Team, Chicago Title, Body Craft Collision Center, The American Legion, Post 92, Lake Goodwin Store, Stilly Auto Parts, Witsoe, Haug & Associates, Eagles Nest Embroidery, U.S. National Mortgage Company, Kiwanis Club of Arlington, John Anderson Family, Stanwood Family Chiropractic, Ramo Realty and Construction, Top Notch Drywall, La Hacienda Restaurant, Smokey Point Custom Cabinets, Smokey Point Daycare and Kindergarten, Frontier Bank, Marysville Veterinary Hospital, Weyerhaeuser, Knoff and Fettig, P.S., John L. Scott Real Estate, Arlington Philly Deli, Dwayne Lanes Auto Center, Van Dams Abbey Carpet and Floor, Thomco Construction, Haggens Store Arlington, The Roadhouse Bar and Grill, Costco Marysville, Stanwood Family Chiropractic, Ernst Chiropractic Clinic, Great Clips, Jet Landscaping and Fences, Nobach Topsoil, Walter & Cathy Hall, Century 21 All Stars, Keith G. Leonard DDS, PS, Whidbey Island Bank, Schlagel Insurance Agency, Inc, Virtual Floor, Snow Goose Bookstore, Goin Postal Arlington, Lindal Cedar Homes, Big Foot Music, Curtis Insurance Agency, Happy At the Bay Teriyaki, Jet Landscaping and Fences, Suds N Duds, Vic Cox Homes, Papa Murphys Pizza, Darryl Jensen, Cowgirls Sandwiches and Catering, Leander and Joyce Amundson, David and Stacy Boulton, Terry Davis, Matthew and Darlene Follett, D.G. and J.K. Good, Roxanne Guenzler, Allen Johnson, Margaret Larson, Michael and Donna Larson, Darrell and Lois Luke, Steve and Kathy Peterson, Debra Stroz, City of Arlington Fire Dept. Chief Jim Rankin and Wayne Mitchell, Frank Ortiz and Holly McEwen.
To the community, we thank you for your support.
2007 was going to be the last run in Little League for many of the girls and myself. This was going to be our Swan Song. However, after our recent experience and the outstanding support from the community, the girls are taking a quote from the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers who blew a 13-12 game lead to the New York Giants, and Arnold Schwarzenegger from his 1984 movie The Terminator, and letting all our fans and supporters know, wait until next year. Well be back.
Jim Barrio, Manager,
2007 Washington State Champions,
Stilly Valley Dream Team