Shell Lake Overflows again....with Pirates.....

    In the next few days, you will want to check on the tournament schedule.  Tournaments are weird animals.  They are designed to make everybody lose their last game.  With the exception of Grantsburg's 34-0 volleyball team, it always seems to work.  Most seniors go through the rest of their life remembering  they lost their last game.  So this becomes a mind set thing.  The Conference season is over and the rewards have been collected.  It was a fantastic year.  Going undefeated during a regular season is something very, very special.  We have done that.  It will be part of this team's legacy.  The tournament is the dessert.  The tournament offers one more chance to measure how good you really are.  So play the games hard.  Play the games well.  Respect both teams and the game itself.  Let's take that round bat and that round ball and hit them square.  Let's add some fluff to what has already been accomplished.  You cannot wait and allow teams to give us games.  We must take chances, make plays, and hustle for every ball.  And perhaps that extra run will show up in OUR column.  Good Luck Grantsburg Fastpitch 2005.

250 schools will have their last softball practice today...Good luck in your next sport!

Can you name the little ball player in the following picture?

BRING ON WEBSTER:  Let the tournaments begin.

   So even though Spooner and Northwood came up with reasons why we should not play, Shell Lake honored the contract.  We walked into their dugout that seats 85 and were impressed.  We had not played there for a few years.  It is a nice field and the texture of the infield is also very nice.  They have a scoring tower. We are jealous.  We will try and obtain our own tower...before Unity copies us.

    This game started out the same way as so many other games.  Katie hits about 5 foul balls...We all laugh and then the runs start to pour in.  Mollie got things going with a single.  Whitney walked.  Miranda LACED a bullet to left then Lindsey rocketed another that the left fielder dropped.  At this point, Shell Lake called time out and made all of their outfielders wear catcher's masks.  Jamie took out her 9 iron and chipped one past the third baseman.  Jamie could start on anybody's golf team.  Sarah hit another shot to left but remember...the left fielder was now safe.  Shelby walked.  And after one half inning the Pirates had a 7-0 lead.  And the Shell Lake fans all nodded their heads in agreement that moving Grantsburg out of their conference had really been a good idea.   And even though the game was scheduled to start at 4:30 it was now almost 5:00.  We are now under the impression that other schools wish to start at 4:30 because then people can't come.  So continue to push for the 5:00 start.  Write your congress person.

    Shell lake remained quiet for the entire game.  Mollie pitched the first two innings and Jamie pitched the last three.  It was a combined no hitter for the two pitchers.  It was quite impressive.  One of the outstanding plays came in the first.  The Shell Lake lead off batter sliced one down the right field line.  Sarah closed both eyes...ran as fast as she could, and the ball stuck into her glove..  Great play.  The next batter walked.  When Miranda's throw went right by Lindsey, Sarah picked it up and showed off her arm as she threw to Whitney for the tag.  Another outstanding throw and catch.  So combined with Sarah's hit in the first inning, we decided that she could do it all.  We let her drive the bus on the way home... but not in town.

    There are times this year when our opponents have become quite frustrated and essentially quit.  Tonight, Shell Lake never quit.  The coaches kept coaching and the players kept playing.  For the softball informed, that is a very good compliment for Shell Lake.  Yes, they were out matched tonight, but they played the game the way it was supposed to be played.  It is hard getting trounced but Shell Lake will recover and we wish them the best of luck in their Division 4 play off game.

    When the game was completed, Grantsburg had 15 hits to support the 22 runs.  Grantsburg really looked good and the ball seems to be jumping off the bat in the last few games.  The regular season is over..... 18-0....  This team has the full package.  The pitching is strong.  The hitting is strong.  The baserunning is mostly strong.  The fielding and throwing are strong.  It is a unique bunch of athletes.  After games like this...and like Frederic....we don't dare mention.....THEY ARE ALL COMING BACK NEXT YEAR!    Too bad West Lakeland.... And we also know that nobody will open enroll just to play on the Grantsburg team.  THERE IS NOOOO ROOM.  They wouldn't play.

    We all stopped at Macs after the game.  Poor Jenn...She had NEVER had a shake.  Did you want me to write that again.  We are not really sure why...but that is what she said.  And she enjoyed it...and felt that she had been missing out... So she ordered one...big night.  But, is must have been too much because soon she was sound asleep...And her feet stink!  see pics.

    Scrimmage Rice Lake on Friday will be a good thing.  Rice Lake is one of the premier teams in the state.  They will expose our weaknesses and provide us with a good learning experience.  In any sport, you must play teams that are better than you or you WON'T KNOW WHAT TO PRACTICE.  It should be a valuable night.  One of the greatest things about our team is the fact that they understand that we always have room to improve.  The hard work and the extra time during practice makes the game a lot of fun.  This team practices very seriously...which allows them time to laugh during the game...

TWIS:  Today is Tuesday.  Most people are tired of being cold and wet.  We could use some sunshine.  Last night at practice it was wet, again.  Craig Johnson made an offer that I had to refuse.  Although, I will consider it.  He has a reallllllly nice bike.  Rice Lake is coming Friday night to scrimmage.  Key word here is scrimmage.  There is not a score, not even 3 outs per inning, and maybe no umps.  But RL is good.  They are defending state champions in division 2 and are currently the favorite to repeat.  They are good.  They want to scrimmage because they want some good competition.  We will provide it.  Rice Lake will show us where we need practice. In 1993, Katie hit a ball to right field.  The bat was too heavy.  Mollie has been in school toooooo long.  When we ask questions in the dugout, she raises her hand.  Whitney was full of stories tonight.  Miranda got her ring back.  I think she had given it to some guy.  Lindsey has a sore shoulder.  We think it is from running all the time.  Jamie went to Macs and tried to bring home two boys from Northwestern.  Lauren's shot down left looked fair to me.  Besides, the entire team was trying to hit Don standing in the coaches box.  Many got close.  And I won 10 cans of pop for being hit by the first foul ball.  I had witnesses...so pay up you little pups.  Maddie had a great hit, then fell off of first bag and got tagged out.  This team eats more food before a game than I do and they have all learned how to spit.  Great accomplishment! Alyssa put on all her jewelry for the stop to eat.  The infield had a nice crown.  When Alyssa played short, we couldn't see her.  Alyssa's grandma is already worried that she will soon run out of Grandchildren...come on Mitch and Sheri..it is not too late.  Sasha's hand is still sore.  We think she just likes the hockey tape.  Miranda tripped on an ant hill as she approached third.  It is graduation week in Grantsburg.  The seniors sent a plant to our building saying thanks... Very nice idea....Party at Dons tonight... Webster's game is a tournament game so we can't do too many fun things during the game.  But dropping the ball from a plane is still an option.  Mike Moritz is really from Cushing...during the week.  And I hope you actually find this newsletter, Mike.  Mike Amundson's quote for the paper... "Grantsburg may move up half a division next year. "  Call Mike for details or explanation.  It will be nice to have the concession stand going again.  We will use the extra money to buy a hundred's digit for the home scoreboard.  Mollie pitched her extra game during the game.  By the way... Hello there Bruce coach... I haven't heard from you lately.  Did you know we have a huge weakness?  Have you discovered it?  Why didn't you come to our tournament?  And Brad, from Thorpe...Will we both be lucky enough to play in the sectionals?  When you get 22 players in the games the score book looks like a mess.  But if you want a clear explanation...  For you none speaker on the computer people, you have been listening to the Theme song for 2005.

And... if we lose our first tournament game... Then I take allll of this back.

Congratulations Fastpitch team 2005.  You are awesome. The best is yet to come.....but celebrate the past and the present.

It is now in the afternoon on Wednesday..I just heard from Doug...Here is part of his email.. Go Bruce.

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The following are pictures from Parent's night by Jeff Evenson.  Thanks Jeff.  And the video was also donated by Mitch Evenson.  Thanks much.