Heavy Metal Softball

Gentlemen (And Ladies!), The Winner Is...!!!

Finally, here are the results, in short summary, of the MVP balloting that took place recently in which most of you participated. A special thanks to all who voted by replying to my e-mail messages and phone calls (remember, tournament MVPs will still be selected using our time-honored offensive points system). Fifteen Heavy Metal Softball members were eligible to vote this time, having participated in the Tulare City, Thursday Night, spring 2004 league. In order of highest cumulative point total, with adjoining number of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place votes, here is this league's MVP and the rest of the worthy contenders:

League MVP: Nelson Vieira (42 total points -- 7 first place votes, 2 second place votes, 1 third place vote. Excellent individual representation, buddy!!!)

1st Runner-Up: Kurt Chambers (23 total points -- 2 first place votes, 4 second place votes, 1 third place vote. Cowboy up, big guy!)

2nd Runner-Up: Lee Garcia (16 total points -- 3 first place votes, 1 third place vote. Our main man in the middle!)

3rd Runner-Up: Frank Fletcher (15 total points -- 1 first place vote, 3 second place votes, 1 third place vote. Mr. Consistency!)

4th Runner-Up: Vern Amaro (12 total points -- 2 second place votes, 6 third place votes. Older than dirt but still contributing!)

5th Runner-Up: Gordon Caudle (7 total points -- 2 second place votes, 1 third place vote. A fine job, despite the injury!)

6th Runner-Up: Gene Hitt, Donny Aguiar (1 total point, tie -- 1 third place vote. Somebody loves ya, guys!)

In the interest of integrity and not wanting to violate any trust, I kept meticulous records of all the oral and online ballots that I received from the 13 members who decided to vote. Despite repeated reminders and for reasons of their own, Wes Avery and Waylon Hawley did not give me any responses and, thus, did not affect any of the above results, though they remained eligible to receive MVP votes and have them posted. But let these be some words of warning: Rule #1 -- If a player decides not to participate in the balloting to determine our league MVP, he will remain unqualified to receive this honor, despite perhaps receiving the most cumulative points (the honor will be bestowed upon the next eligible player in line). This rule has been instituted to enforce fairness with the outcome of the voting -- in other words, as you give, so shall you receive. Two other rules also affect a player's MVP eligibility: Rule #2 -- At least half the games of a league/tournament must be played; and Rule #3 -- The agreed-upon league/tournament participation fee must be paid. I'm sure everyone can see the need for such rules. I, myself, voted for who I thought were three deserving men. Because I am the ballot collector and, also, because the results could possibly hinge upon my final selections, I always believe it is wise to make clear my own personal choices for MVP, hopefully without offending any of my other close friends on the team, who already know that only three choices can be given. My votes, in order, were: Nelson Vieira (1st place vote); Kurt Chambers (2nd place vote); and Lee Garcia (3rd place vote). I will not give any specific reasons for my choices (none of us have to), but I will say that I really appreciated these men for the contributions they made during this league. Furthermore, I find it coincidental that they just so happen to have finished in the final tally by that exact same order! And my votes were the second ones to be recorded this time around -- go figure. In all actuality, everyone on this team is deemed valuable, both on and off the field. I hope all of you will understand this personal feeling of mine, and why I have such a difficult time revealing my selections. But I feel I must. No other selections from specific team members will be revealed unless one of you is curious and wants to inquire, in which case, I'll gladly let you know. And to the eight people who gave me consideration this time around, a sincere thanks to all of you.

As I have mentioned a time or two before, I would really like to promote even more team spirit within the ranks of our members before this year comes to a close. "There's More in Store For 2004" is what I have been saying. The perpetual MVP plaque, our "Circle of Honor," was eventually unveiled at our first team meeting back on February 29th, bearing the names of past recipients, and is to be kept in the current MVP's home until another deserving player is selected (enjoy the 2nd place trophy, also, Nelson -- it's yours to keep!) Also, a Heavy Metal Softball fence banner is being looked into that will grace our future dugouts, letting others know boldly who we are and to take notice of what we stand for -- team spirit, first and always, followed by hard play and sportsmanship. And finally, pay attention to your future e-mail for news concerning the upcoming fall Visalia city league and a tournament or two, most notably the October Bash (Saturday, October 9th -- mark your calendars!), which we will be defending as last year's champions. Stay tuned!

And that's a wrap for now, folks....