Letter to Editor-Barnett

July 23, 2004

Dear Editor,

Last weekend I was reminded why community spirit and pride is so important and why Eads, Colorado and Kiowa County is such an amazing place to live, work, and play. As tournament director of the Colorado State Babe Ruth Softball Championships for the 10U and 12U divisions I could not pass up the opportunity to say how unbelievable the people in this town are.

Not only do our citizens care about having good programs for our children and youth, they are also full of pride for our facilities, programs, and community offerings. In one weekend the volunteers at the softball state finals put Eads on the map in the most positive light imaginable. I lost count of how many compliments I received about how the tournament was progressing and running so smoothly...about how friendly everyone was...and how exciting the level of competition and sportsmanship became in both tournaments. These people were not used to communities coming together in such a manner. They have not seen volunteers working long, hot hours like ours did. They came to Eads thinking it would be a second-rate tournament at best and left impressed and hoping for the same results for their own communities someday.

I even hesitate to list all of the many, many volunteers who took it upon themselves to get the job done because I inevitably will miss someone, I'm sure. But I must recognize these individuals because these are people who get things done, and these are people who care about who we are and how we do things. Our kids are winners because of them. Thanks to all the parents of the players, Daryl Adamson and his field crew, Sue Fox and all the gate people, Loraine Saffer and her scorekeepers and announcers including Kim Richards, Dawna Weirich, Dawna Peck, Debi Hadley, Braylynn Peck, Jennie Richards, and Mike Ullman. Thanks to Kip Peck who basically ran the show at the 10U tournament and kept all the umpires scheduled and organized. Also, thank you, Diane Crow for all your help not only in sign ins but at the concession stand. Thanks, also, to Tom Richards who helped with many aspects of organization, and to the Chamber of Commerce, particularly Marilyn Baxter for organizing the barbeque at the Community Building.

Thank you Artie and Tanya Lane and Tanya's parents who manned the tee-shirt sales, program sales, and ad sales. A big thank you to all the businesses and supporters who contributed a number of items for the player's comfort and the Eads Summer Baseball/Softball Association's benefit particularly Chris Sorenson and his crew at the Kiowa County Press for letting me move in for two days.

And, finally, thank you to Wayne Singer who started our summer Babe Ruth program more than 40 years ago and was proud to come to the girl's tournament to honor us in throwing out the first pitch to begin the state competition.

Betsy Barnett