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10th Season Review

August 11, 2011 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
North Adams SteepleCats News Release


The 2011 season was a year-long celebration of the team's 10th season in the NECBL, which is quite an accomplishment. Beginning in 2002 as the newest kid on the block, the SteepleCats are now the 4th longest tenured team in the NECBL. That is a lot to be proud of for operating a team in one of the smallest market sizes in the NECBL. This season included many activities reflecting this special year including two firework displays to say "thanks" to all of our fans, sponsors, donors, and volunteers that have made each summer possible. There was also a special game hat featuring a logo with Slider, a tribute to the Watterson Family who were the original founders, as well as special give-aways featuring the commemorative logo. The SteepleCats also used the season to pay tribute to many of the volunteers and businesses that have played such critical roles with an on-field presentation of a plaque as a way to express the team's appreciation for their years of outstanding service and devotion.

Between the lines, the season did not go as planned. Beginning the season with 10 games in 10 days, the team dug themselves too great of a hole to climb their way out of during the season. When Coach Kuklick was asked what could have been done differently by the team for a more successful season, he replied, "The eight game losing streak hurt us and we needed to go on a streak to win eight games to put us back in the mix, and it never happened." Coach McCarty had the same take on this question saying the eight game losing streak early in the season was just, "too much to overcome."

There are many ways to measure success, with the record just being one way, but the organization, coaches, and roster believe there were many successes to take home with them. Individually, each player has grown considerably as a player. By competing day-in and day-out in one of the finest summer collegiate baseball leagues in America, each player has gained experiences against great competition that will better prepare them for their upcoming college season, which is exactly what their college coach hoped would happen. The SteepleCats coaching staff will tell you of many accomplishments and breakthroughs they have had with certain players, whether it was improving a pitching or hitting mechanic, or learning the mental side of the game as a catcher.

Years down the road, what the players will remember will be the memories they made when they spent two months in the northern Berkshires living with their host family, traveling throughout New England, playing in front of great crowds at The Joe, and experiencing everything the organization provided to them this summer. They have many great things to say about their summer. Coach Matt McCarty said, "There is nothing I would change about the organization and the people that run it. First class." Outfielder Chantz Mack had this to say about his experience returning to the Cats' for the second summer. "Returning to the Steeplecats has benefitted me a lot. If you look at my numbers from last year opposed to this year and I also feel I've matured substantially as an individual and a player. As for the team and season I wish we did better with the season, but it seems we could never have consistent success. It's been fun and everyone was great to play with and be around." Catcher Brett Frantini spoke about his experience this summer saying, "My time here has been really awesome. I had a great host family, made great friends, and had great coaches that really taught me a lot. I got to play baseball in a really good league and I'm lucky to be a part of this team and organization. I had a great summer here in North Adams." Playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League is something that all players will remember for the rest of their lives. A few SteepleCats shared what they will always remember about their summer with the SteepleCats. Pitcher Brian Gilbert said he will never forget, "The road trips and team bonding." Outfielder Justin Leeson said, "I got a chance to play baseball everyday with a great group of guys and learn a lot from a great coaching staff. The North Adams residents were also very supportive." Pitcher Cameron Copping said he will never forget, "The way the town really supports and takes pride in the team." That is one thing that has been said many times over the summer, the SteepleCat fans in this community are so supportive of this organization.

REPORT FROM THE INTERNS

The interns did a fantastic job this season. They worked hard around the clock from May 15 right up until the last pitch of the season and the duties that followed the few days following the season. I want to thank my fellow interns. It was great working with each of them. I spoke with Steve and Gregg a bit about their summer her in North Adams.

Steve Zielen: On his experience, "My experience in North Adams was better than I could ever imagine. Working with people here and gaining valuable experience necessary to be successful really made this summer a great one. I will never forget the people, experiences, and skills gained by coming here." Steve on his best memory of the summer, "My favorite memory of the summer was the first time seeing the entire grandstand throw up the Steeple in support of the SteepleCats." Steve's message to the fans, "I would like to thank the fans and the entire Berkshire County. The support for the SteepleCats has been tremendous even with our record not being what it usually is. I would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the entire North Adams SteepleCats organization."

Greg Casserta: Said that his favorite broadcasters to work with were (not in particular order) Christian Heimell from the Newport Gulls, George Bissell from the Vermont Mountaineers, and Casey Williams from the Laconia Muskrats. Gregg said that broadcasting games this summer for the SteepleCats was, "the single best experience," of his life. He said that this summer has made him a better broadcaster and appreciate the game of baseball even more than he did before the summer. He also went on to say, "I am so lucky to have been able to work in a community that was so passionate about the team and never gave up hope even when the season didn't go as expected. Gregg did a great job broadcasting games and was always more than prepared for each and every game. Thank you so much for the great work you did for the SteepleCats this summer Gregg!

Kolby Kilhart: My experience with the SteepleCats was simply great. I enjoyed waking up every single day this summer and completing whatever task was on the schedule for that day. The best thing about my internship this summer here with the SteepleCats was that it gave me responsibility. It was a big step into the real world in that sense. I was responsible for writing scripts, the newsletter, promos each week, and other various jobs. If I didn't get those done, no one else was going to and it would come back to make me look bad. One major skill that I have improved greatly over the summer with this internship is communication. To work with three other interns, two bosses, and many volunteers communication is key. We all needed to be on the same page all summer long. Communication was also very important when working with the kids this summer. I loved working with the kids and running the in-between inning games on the field! This internship allowed me to experience every job that is necessary to run a baseball organization. Some of these jobs were meeting with sponsors at the beginning of the season, pushing the concession and merchandise stand, preparing for each game, marketing and promotional activities, writing scripts for the PA announcer to read for each game, writing the weekly e-newsletter, writing promos for local newspapers and radio stations to read, cleaning up the stadium after each game, and the best job of them all, on the field entertainment! I had a blast this summer and after completing this internship I have gained many skills that have me better prepared for the real world when I graduate next spring. I want to thank all of the fans for their support all summer long. Without the fans in their seats, I could not do my job of entertaining them. I also want to thank Dan Bosley and Sean McGrath for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank my lovely host mother Antoinette Cariddi who I lived with for two weeks, but she was like a second mother to me all summer doing laundry and getting me whatever I needed! I want to thank my fellow interns and all of the volunteers that I worked with this summer, they are all great people!

My Favorite memory of the summer: The ovation I received at the last game.

BEST OF THE BEST

Best Game of the Year

July 1 SteepleCats @ Holyoke Blue Sox - The last place Cats' were on the road facing the first place Holyoke Blue Sox. The Cats' scored first in the top of the second thanks to a sacrifice fly by Cameron Griffin that scored Justin Leeson. The Blue Sox then scored five unanswered runs and it was looking like the Cats' were down and out. In the seventh inning, Corbin Blakey reached on an error and Cameron Griffin scored to make the score 5-2. In the eighth, Chantz Mack reached base on another error by Blue Sox second baseman McConkey. Justin Leeson then had a single that brought Chantz Mack in to score and make it 5-3. In the bottom half of the eighth, the Blue Sox had a runner at second base with only one out. Sam Russell made a tremendous play by stopping a well struck ground ball and then racing to the bag and diving to beat the runner. Left Bryant Guilmette then got Trey Mancini to fly out and got out of the inning leaving the runner stranded and giving the Cats' some momentum. In the ninth, Mike Zavala walked and then Jacob Daniel pinch hit for Corbin Blakey. Daniel had a single and then took second on a wild pitch. The Cats' had the tying run in scoring position with one out and Chantz Mack coming to the plate. Chantz had a triple that brought in Zavala and Daniel to tie the game! Steve Zavala then struck out with the go ahead run on third. To extra innings the Cats' went! The Blue Sox had the bases loaded with one out and Bryant Guilmette got out of the jam by getting Ringo to pop out to short and Eberle to ground out to second base. In the top of the tenth, Drew Gadaire and Sam Russell had singles. Mike Zavala worked a walk and up came Jacob Daniel. Jacob had a two run single that gave the Cats' a 7-5 lead. In the bottom of the tenth, Brian Gilbert came out of the bullpen on just two days rest. He allowed an unearned run but got the save and the SteepleCats won 7-6!

Best Night at The Joe

July 4 - Mystic Schooners @ SteepleCats. Cameron Copping showed up on Independence day and pitched an absolute gem. The SteepleCats won 3-0 in front of a crowd of 4,253 fans. There was entertainment outside of the lines as well with the dizzy bat race, musical chairs, Slider says, what's in the box, hot dog eating contest, and let's not forget the Patriotic hat that Kolby was wearing all night. The fireworks display following the game paired with Patriotic music was a great experience for everyone. July 4, 2011 was definitely the best night at The Joe this season.

Best In-Between Inning Contest

July 17, 2011 - That was the night that Zumba was at the game and put on a great pre-game show. Not only did they put on a great pre-game show, in the middle of the second inning four members of Zumba participated in the three legged race. This contest was by far the most entertaining of the season. It was a close race all the way to the end when both teams went for the high five on Kolby and ended up running him over and forcing him to do a backwards summer salt. Kolby ended up having a bloody nose but it was all worth it for the fans entertainment! This was a great race and got the best reaction out of the crowd all season long.

Best Concession Special:

The best concession special of the 2011 season was definitely the sausage, peppers, and onion grinders! Yum! Great job Lisa Briggs.

Best Giveaway

Following the last game of the season, there was a ceremony on the field at home plate to determine the winner of a 50'' TV. This was the culmination of a season-long promotion where one lucky fan was selected at every home game and then invited back to the last game of the year for a chance to win the TV. Each contestant had to pick a ticket out of a bag with a number on it. The number on the ticket determined what order they would try to turn the TV off. They all lined up and one by one selected a random remote control. The team was huddled around the tv making a narrow tunnel for the contestants to stand and try to win this TV. Every time someone failed the players would let out a loud, "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww." After fourteen contestants remotes failed, it was Mike (photographed wearing white shirt and yellow hat) from Bennington, VT who took home the 50" TV. When Mike pressed the power button and the TV turned off, everyone in the ballpark erupted in celebration. It was such an exciting moment and a great finish to the season.

SUPPORT THE STEEPLECATS

As we begin to plan for the 2012 season, the SteepleCats will need the support of our community once again. As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the SteepleCats are only able to exist and function through the generous support it receives from community businesses, charitable donations of all sizes, and the generous time from our volunteers and host families. To demonstrate your belief that the SteepleCats are a valuable asset to our community, we encourage you to consider making a donation of any size to the SteepleCats organization. Please make your check payable to the North Adams SteepleCats and mail it to P.O. Box 540, North Adams, MA 01247. We thank you for your consideration and support.

THANK YOU!

The North Adams SteepleCats organization would like to send special thanks to our fans, season ticket holders, volunteers, sponsors, donors, bat boys, anthem singers, the Parks and Recreation Department of North Adams, Mayor Alcombright, and everyone that has made this season possible.

Special thank you to Mike Merrill! Mike is a volunteer who is in charge of the website, sending the e-newsletter and updating social media sites, aka Facebook and Twitter. Mike worked hard all summer long working on the website and keeping the giveaways and promos updated and much more. He was always right on top of updating the facebook page during and after games. He went above and beyond his role this summer. This organization is so grateful for the work that Mike Merrill has done for us. Thank you so much Mike!

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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