sports letters to the editor 8/25/02

To the editor:

I spent the past month helping coach the 14-and-under Heartland Nationals. We had a very good and talented team. The young ladies had fun and worked very well together.

The team was comprised of players from Oran, Chaffee, Delta, Benton and New Hamburg. The tournament allowed us to play teams from Kansas, Colorado, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Louisiana. We finished 11-3 overall and third in the nation.

Those accomplishments are great and the girls should be proud. But these girls brought more home from South Bend, Ind., than just a trophy. They made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

I thank the parents, players and Heartland Babe Ruth League for allowing Randy Horrell, Kevin Sanders and me the chance to coach, and a big thanks to everyone who donated at our fundraisers.

I gained a few more gray hairs, but we had a blast. Thank you for the memories. Go, Whitewater Wildcats!TROY A. SMITH

Delta, Mo.