Westhills 2011 Season Winners

2011 PINTO A TOURNAMENT CHAMPS - BRAVES

The 2011 Pinto A Braves exemplified what youth baseball is all about.  Having fun, a tireless effort in skill development, and dedicated teamwork, were just a few aspects of how this team came together to become Champions.  No youth baseball manager could have wished for such a remarkable team of young men, who were focused on becoming not only fundamentally sound baseball players, but developing true sportsmanship as well.  The 2011 Spring Pinto A Braves earned the right to be called Champions by displaying a tremendous team effort in all aspects of the game.  It was so much fun to manage this group of individual “personalities” and to watch their development into teammates and good friends.  The Braves were composed of both previous champion level players and boys with no previous experience in organized baseball.  

From the best defensive Pinto infield led by Liam, Mason, Chase, Steven, Wyatt, and Jacob, to the “highlight reel” outfield that included Ryan, Richie, Griffin, Dylan, Devin, and Jake this team of boys developed better that anyone could have expected.   The 2011 Pinto A Braves were a dream come true for the coaching staff.  This Championship simply does not happen without the outstanding coaching efforts of Coach Hector, Coach Mike, Coach Kris, Coach Eddie, and all the team dads that spent many, many hours assisting during team practices.  A very special thank you to our team mom and team scorekeeper.

From the beginning of the season when the teams bats were on fire, scoring run after run, after run, to the end of the season when the team displayed absolute shut down defense to win the Pinto A Championship, this was a season that will be remembered for many years to come.  A huge thank you to all the parents “Braves Fans” for amazing, positive support from the stands, and keeping it classy all season long.

Thank you Braves for a truly unforgettable spring 2011 baseball season. 

Coach Robert

 

2011 MUSTANG A DIVISION CHAMPS - DIAMONDBACKS

What a great group of kids... What a terrific team!... The Mustang A Diamondbacks were very deserving Division Champs. They lead the division from start to finish, getting solid contributions from all 12 players. Our pitching was consistent, our hitting was timely and every player turned in at least one defensive gem during the season. It was a real privilege to manage this team. I would like to thank coaches Kelly, David and Henry for their help, Lup for being a wonderful Team Mom, all the scorekeepers and the parents for their support throughout the season.
  
"Dbacks on Three... "
  
Randy 
 
 

2011 BRONCO TOURNAMENT CHAMPS - DODGERS

"Coming together is a beginning.  Working together is progress.  Staying together is success."
Henry Ford
 
Everyone had a role to play; Players, coaches and parents made our year successful.  We needed leadership and that void was filled.  Our Dodgers started out as an eclectic group of boys with many personalities that came together and learned to play as a team.  They stayed the course throughout the year and grew as individuals in a team environment by accepting responsibility and finding out who they are as young people. With encouragement, we taught them to believe in themselves.  My coaching staff connected with the boys by building a level of trust and respect.  They knew what to say, when to say it and how to say it.  They played a vital role in our player development.
 
Along the way we taught the boys a little baseball.  They learned fundamentals and structure, which I hope will stay with them throughout their baseball careers and lives.
 
I've won many championships coaching my three children but this season may have been the most rewarding.  It was a memorable season and I will carry it in my heart forever.  Our Dodgers created a lot of indelible memories for themselves, their parents, their coaches and perhaps the people we played against. 
 
Go Dodgers!
 
Sincerely,
 

Jon Russell  

2011 Mustang B Division and Tournament Champions -Rangers

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the Rangers players, parents and coaches for being a part of our amazing team. This was one of the most memorable baseball seasons ever! Our team excelled in every way. Hitting, pitching, defense, sportsmanship, and having fun were all part of our winning formula. We knew we had a special group of kids, and that we could win some games, but I'm not sure anybody predicted we would end up with a record of 17-3. We started the season a little too confidently though, losing our very first game. Then we went on an 11-game winning streak, and gained momentum every week heading into the playoffs.  All through the season, the kids rose to challenges. The coaches pushed them to work hard, get better, and learn plays on offense and defense. They became a team who thought about what they were doing on the field in every situation. We had a few hard-fought come-from-behind victories, and some close games that were decided in the last inning, and those were the games that helped build our team's character and confidence for playoff week. And as it turned out, they would need that 'never-say-die' character  and attitude when we got to the playoffs. 

We found ourselves in a dog-fight in the semi-final game against a formidable Yankee team. It was a terrific game, and heading into the bottom of the 6th we were trailing 7-6. We won with a combination of a walk and a surprise bunt single, and that victory put us in the championship game. That's where we really put ourselves behind the eight-ball, starting out our game against a terrific Red Sox team by going down 5-0 in the first inning! But our kids fought back a little at a time, and after 5 innings we were ahead 9-8. The Red Sox tied it in the 6th, and our kids, who dug deep to win some close games throughout the season,  found a way to manufacture a run in the bottom of the 6th to win the game 10-9. Those two playoff games exemplified the traits that our team embraced throughout the season:  hard work, a positive winning attitude, support for your team, respect for your teammates, coaches, parents, umpires, and opponents, and most of all, FUN!  

I can't say enough about our coaches: Scott, Paul, Bruce and Greg--you are more than a manager could ask for on the field and off.  Your support was unwavering and constant. Thank you all...To our scorekeepers, Kris Warner and Stan Thomas--Thanks for keeping a detailed book for me...To Jenni Cook, our team mom---Thanks for taking care of all of us this season!... And to our Amazing Rangers---I am so proud of you, and so happy that I was able to  hang out with you and watch you grow as players, have a bunch of  fun, and learn a little about the game of baseball.  

Thanks for the memories.

Go Rangers!

Coach Dave Berens

2011 Mustang A Tournament Champions - Mets

What an epic finish for the 2011 Mustang A Mets! The first half of the season was by all accounts, not too impressive. We finished the first half 3-6 and were looking to find our mojo. When the second half started we just went on a roll finishing 8-3 for an 11-9 record.

 Approaching the playoffs as the third seed we got into a great rhythm with outstanding pitching, hitting and defense. We just knew it was our destiny…

I can’t say enough about how the kids came through. When we got to the championship game they wanted it bad! They were not to be denied, winning the final game against an outstanding D’backs team 6-5. We jumped out early and held on  with Justin, Matthew and Martin coming through in the clutch on the mound pitching only the amount of innings they were allowed. We clinched it when we got the last batter out with the tying run on second in the bottom of the sixth. To be able to storm the field after the final out is something that will be etched in my mind forever seeing the coaches and kids celebrating this win. Our goal was to be the last team standing and we were.  With a final record of 14-9 I could not have been more proud of a team that would not give up. Each kid brought something to the table and they will always know they were the champs!

I would like to thank coach Charles, who was the kids inspiration as he underwent a successful heart transplant. Coach Dennis who was a calming influence as the bench coach, coaches Tom and Keith who helped out, and especially Coach DWags who was invaluable helping me at every practice and was behind me 100%. Also Mo Naziri the best scorekeeper in the land, along with Tonya Owens as the team mom who was part of the planJ

Such a special group of winners: Kole, Brandon, Jeremiah, Ben, and AWags were tremendous. Bennett and Gavin each hit 3 home runs, while Kyle and Sammy each got one. I wish all these kids nothing but the best in their future. They are all winners!

On a personal note, walking off that Mustang Field with my son Bennett for the last time (as I did in Pinto A) as the champion, is the greatest feeling in the world. Thank you for the memories son. 

Mets Mustang A Manager,

Jeff Lapiner 
 
2011 PINTO B TOURNAMENT CHAMPS - WHITE SOX

White Sox – Champions of Pinto B!

 I got goose bumps when I heard those words come out of my mouth. We had our team party scheduled weeks in advance, and it happened to fall on the day of the championship game. What better way to celebrate than with some BIG trophies to go along with the team trophies.

 We had a really great group of players from the start. One of the most exciting and joyful things, though, was watching each one of them get better and more confident as the season went on. Good work guys! Just remember… take a small step, keep your head in – and HAVE FUN!

 A big hug and thanks as well to the coaches, Zak Lakhani, Jeffrey Dunbar, David Wagner and Aaron Ravo, the team mom, Ghada Dunbar, and scorekeeper, Dawn Tsutsui. And a big round of applause to all the parents and families that kept showing up in support.

 Coach Tom

2011 Bronco Division Champs - Rangers

What a fun year we had. We started out kind of slow in the first half but with a lot of practice we got a lot better. We were 6-5 in the first half. We started playing like a team in the second half, everybody stepped up and we got a lot better. We ended up 9-2 in the second half and got into the championship. We lost to a good team though. I want to thank my coaches Mike Clark, Pat Schlopy and Sean Pendergast. Thank you for all your help and I especially want to thank my team mom, Jen Pendergast for keeping everything in line. Thank you Jen. I would also like to thank the scorekeepers Sean Nicklaw and Jen Prendergast. Thank you West Hills Baseball and thank you parents.

Kelly Hankins

2011 PINTO B DIVISION CHAMPS - DRAYS

The 2011 D’Rays team was the kind of team that every coach wishes for.  The boys came to every practice wanting to learn, to practice hard, and to be part of a winning team.  At the beginning of the season, I made only one promise my team’s parents.  I promised at the end of the season that their son would be a better baseball player than they were when the season began.  The coaches and I kept that promise.  Each player brought something different to the team, whether it was a strong bat, strong fielding skills or just a strong sense of humor.  Every boy contributed something to our team’s success.  The boys finished the regular season just one run away from perfection, compiling an impressive 13-1 record.  It was fun being part of a team where the boys genuinely liked each other and didn’t criticize one another if an error occurred on the field.  Instead, they offered each other words of encouragement and worked as a team.  The coaching staff worked hard as well, pushing the boys to do their best and doing so in a positive and supportive way.  In addition to the great coaching staff, we had a fantastic team mom, parents that helped work the dugout and parents that kept score.  As you can see, it took support from everyone in order to win the Division. 
I want to thank my coaches: Hector and Michael - you are the kind of coaches every manager wants - both on the field and off.  Your support of my decisions meant a great deal.  To Laura, thank you for keeping the boys in line while they were in the dugout. To our scorekeepers, Terry and Theresa -- Thanks for keeping a detailed book for me. To Kristi Abunassar, our team mom – Thank you for taking care of all the loose ends during this season! As you can see, it took support from everyone in order to win the Division.  And to the amazing boys: Dillon, Dylan, Jacob, Josh, Canter, Ryan, Dean, Tyler, Sam, and Julian -- I am so proud of each of you and look forward to watching you grow as baseball players and young men.
Go Devil Rays!
Coach Stan Thomas
2011 PINTO A DIVISION CHAMPS - DODGERS
To all Pinto A 2011 Dodgers-
What a great season all of you had and congratulations on being regular season champs!
Best of luck to everyone in 2012!
Manger Dusty Rhodes