From Banks Barringer, athletic director of Rowan County American Legion Baseball:
Congratulations to our 2009 Rowan County American Legion Baseball Team! We have been successful because a community of people joined together to work and support our program.
Baseball committee members and members of each area Legion Post worked tirelessly to prepare for each home baseball game to make it enjoyable for our players and fans. The players spent their entire summer playing great baseball, earning the honor of representing our state and region in the World Series. The parents continuously supported the players and our program. Our coaches, Jim Gantt, Steven Sawyer, and Travis McSweeny, did an outstanding job coaching and training our players. They not only taught the fundamentals of the game, but they also encouraged each player to play to his best ability and to work together as a team, which ultimately led to our success. Bob Lowman, team manager, ensured that players were ready and on task throughout each game.
Our fans showed strong support as they attended the games or listened to them on the radio, cheering for our players. Our program sponsors provided us the financial means to help run our program. J.C. Caskey of JC’s Tees designed T-shirts and gave each player a T-shirt as a remembrance for each level of accomplishment. Jeff Vail provided great support and dedication as he announced each home game. Our local radio stations WSTP (Howard Platt) and WSAT (Buddy Poole) broadcast each game, allowing those unable to attend games the great experience of being a part of our baseball community. The Salisbury Post provided superb coverage throughout the summer, especially during the World Series.
Our junior league team, coached by Brian Hightower, spent the summer also playing fantastic baseball and earned runner-up in the Area III playoffs. This program is so valuable because it prepares the way for future Rowan teams.
To everyone, we say thank you for being a part of our Rowan American Legion Baseball Program and supporting our 2009 team. Being Area III Champs, North Carolina State Champs, Southeast Regional Champs and finishing third in the nation is a great accomplishment. Thanks to all for being a part of this exciting journey and making the 2009 season one to be remembered forever. We hope all of you will join us again for the 2010 season!