Arlington, Virginia
The 2003 FedLock Major fastball season
might be summed up in one word: "injuries!" The team lost one
starting outfielder for the season in
late June. Of far greater impact & importance, however, was losing
starting ace pitcher Jody Hennigar, and then losing Jeremy DeBelleval
early in the during the ISC World Tournament. FedLock still managed
a
respectable finish in the top-10 at the World event, but the FedLock
players are very keenly aware that they were agonizingly close to being in
the elite company of the top four teams at the Worlds. That has
served as quite a motivator for the Falcons as they approach the 2004
season of intensity between the lines.
Thus, much as the term "injuries" comes to mind for FedLock when the 2003
campaign is recalled, the sheer guts, the hitting, and the defense of the
FedLock crew is at the top of the list, as well. "In the Worlds, I
believe that we tallied over 5 runs per game in every game except one.
These guys were on a mission, a mission of excellence, and they focused on
that. We committed only 2 errors in 6 games. Yes, the
injuries, especially to Hennigar & to DeBelleval, knocked us for a loop.
But my guys proved that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the world -
they were so positive, so focused on their mission, and they played
without any acknowledgement of any pressure," stated manager Groves.
It may be the chilly winter temperatures that one is feeling in the vast
majority of North America, but many people's thoughts are turning
increasingly towards springtime as the FedLock Falcons prepare for the
2004 campaign.
Good evening, all, and we certainly hope that you are all keenly
anticipating the 2004 season. FedLock is fortunate indeed to hit the
'04
season in-stride with some basic factors that override all others:
continuity & quality. FedLock has retained every single ballplayer
of substance for the 2004 roster. The 2004 roster for FedLock is
immeasurably stronger with the addition of just a few key personnel and,
most importantly, that hallmark solidarity that FedLock has featured for
years.
"Our players are fiercely loyal to one another," stated sponsor / manger
Mike Groves. "Just as I am to them. The player loyalty is an
intangible
that is huge in everyone's book. It starts with the quiet, steely
leadership from my veterans. Jody Hennigar, Paul Walford, Ken
Coles.....these guys are multi-dimensional & a dream to work with for so
many reasons." The only questions that Groves faced in the
off-season were
queries from returning FedLock ballplayers as to whether their teammates
were returning to the fold in '04.
The pitching staff will be comprised of the same three pitchers who were
the FedLock touchstones in 2003. Jody Hennigar, the heart & soul &
ace of the staff, will have "The Young Guns" of Brian Urquhart and Jeremy
DeBelleval riding shotgun throughout the 2004 season. However, to
assume that Urquhart & DeBelleval are merely supporting cast members is to
not give the two their due. "Brian Urquhart was 4-2 in the ISC World
Tournament in 2003. We watched him throw, again & again, through his
pain and exhaustion. He always wants the ball," says Groves.
DeBelleval is. The Quiet Man From Ontario, who threw huge innings &
huge games for FedLock in 2003. Injuries ripped apart the FedLock
staff is 2003 at the Worlds. But these three pitchers are intent on
making 2004 "The Year."
On the receiving end of the pitching staff will be returning catcher Steve
Sell. Sell, nicknamed "The Wall" by Coles, has proven himself to be
the
most formidable defensive backstop in Major ball today. "Nobody
moves
laterally like your guy Sell," stated County Materials coach Tim Lyon to
Groves in Allentown, PA in 2003. Sell has also garnered kudos for
his
ability to work well with his pitchers. "He's someone we are
watching
closely," said USA Head Coach Peter Turner. Sell has been to the
USOC camp at Chula Vista & is currently under Turner's "watchlist" for the
USA national program. Sell caught every game in 2003 for FedLock.
He paid the price with multiple injuries, including a broken foot, that
Sell, as tough as they come, played through without complaint or comment.
"This year, we realized that Sellie cannot continue to take punishment
like that - it hurts the team when he's badly banged up," said Groves.
Thus, FedLock has substantially bolstered the catching corps with the
addition of Curtis Martin. "Curt is one of the toughest competitors
in the game, and he has the championship rings to underscore that," said
Groves. Curt's accomplishment-studded career with some of the finest
teams in the midwestern USA over the years has given him huge big-game
experience - and he now brings that to FedLock.
Infield will be a versatile mix of talented ballplayers. Gareth
Cook,
originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, and now living in Arlington,
Virginia, will return to play 3b. Cook has been a huge presence in
the
FedLock lineup since 2001. The 24 year old slugger "Cookie" plays
superb defense against the bunt, the slap, or the hit, and collected 2003
ISC All World honors in the process. "A stunning talent, he
lives right, great attitude, tops out on every chart in every category,"
states a highly
placed source in Major fastball. "It's a complete puzzle as to why
he's
being left off the New Zealand National side, but if the Kiwis aren't
careful they could lose him to the USA if he sees no softball future in
remaining there."
Shortstop will be the sublime Ryan Thompson, ex-of Owen Sound,
Canada. "RT" brings a wealth of experience and leadership, as well
as a
strong stick. "With the addition of RT, we have definitely taken a
very
big step up at shortstop & at the plate from what we had there before,"
states teammate Jody Hennigar, "Ryan's smooth, smart, and he's a stick."
FedLock added very few players to its 2004 roster, but thankfully one of
them is the multi-talented Pat Graham, also ex-Owen Sound. "It's
always amusing to me to hear 'who is this guy Graham?' from other folks in
the game," said Groves. "This guy, if you will, is a superb talent,
a quiet guy, getting it done day-in, day-out, a total team guy. All
you have to do is look at the ISC book to see that he is a .300 hitter
year-in, year-out against the best in the biz."
Paul Walford is the sublime, supreme FedLock talent who is comfortable in
both the infield & the outfield. "One of my absolute favorite
players,"
say Groves, "Walley is 'The Package' as far as I'm concerned: smart,
communicates well with teammates & his manager, always a positive
attitude, and of course a terrific ballplayer on both offense &
defense. Walley makes the rest of us on FedLock look good. And
if he ever wanted to manage or coach, he would be superb at that, as
well." Walford looked great in Orlando in January and he is truly a
man who walks the walk, and settles for nothing less than his very best.
Walley is an inspiration to his mates on FedLock.
Ken Coles will be returning for his 14th season in FedLock stripes at
2b. Where do you start with this player? A former All-Met
baseball player from Washington, DC, Coles has impressed many over the
past few years with his total dedication to The Team. He had a
fantastic Worlds in 2003, and he has worked very hard in the off-season to
retain his form for the 2004 campaign. "Ken epitomizes our squad in
many ways," say Groves. "He has nothing to prove, being an
All-American Major 1st team selection, but that is the furthest thing from
his mind. In his mind, Ken believes that he has everything to prove,
every day: Ken goes out to prove his worth every day - a
manager never has to worry about this guy's work ethic. He is also
modest; he considers it A Privilege of Life to be able to play the Major
game and to be in the same uni as Walford, Hennigar, Cook, and anyone else
with a FedLock uniform on; he dedicates his game to excellence; he
has absolute faith in his teammates. Ken is also the guy who
nicknames everyone - he's the guy giving up his body on every ground ball
in the hole - he's the guy getting ready 90 minutes before game time -
he's the guy who knows how to decompress any tension with a very funny
remark - he's the guy
who still gets excited about the additions of quality teammates such as
Thompson & Graham - Ken is a total team player who is at his peak right
now & who understands & cherishes the beautiful intricacies & tragedies of
the fastball game."
Darren Davies, now living as a Virginian as a transplant from his native
New Zealand, will be returning to FedLock, after a season off, and none
too soon, according to Groves. Davies, a multiple threat defensively, and
holder of the highest OBP ever in FedLock's history, is a much-welcomed
returning teammate. "Darren is one of the most intelligent players
in the game, one of the most analytical, and he is supremely talented,"
comments Paul Walford. "This game is a game of edges, and Darren is
one of Groves'ys brain-trust-guys when it come to that."
Lyle Brown returns to FedLock for the 2004 campaign. Brown is one of
the steady, top-quality performers that teammates have come to count
on. Always a superb hitter, Brown's presence is a steadying force in
FedLock's lineup. Brown has been with the team for 3 seasons and is
truly one of "The Quiet Gems" of manager Groves' lineup.
Anchoring the outfield will be centerfielder Ace Sauer. Very few
players
roam the green grass as Sauer does, and very few players will crash
through walls & over fences, literally, to get the job done. Now
back in center where he always belonged, Ace has always proven himself to
be a total team player who is more than willing to lay his body on the
line for his teammates & the game at hand. One of the better
base-runners in the game, Ace often has to reined in from his slashing,
aggressive, fun-loving approach to fastball. After all, Ace is an
ex-Marine who served his
country proudly, and that joie de vivre has served Ace well in his quest
for excellence on the ball diamonds of the world.
FedLock welcomes back outfielders Nick Kimball, a second-year player who
is establishing the beginnings of a good career in the game, and Larry
Peck. Peck, a previously under-rated talent who came on very strong
for FedLock in 2003, is another ultimate team guy whose very presence
denotes intensity & excellence.
Mike Groves will have the helm again this year as manager & coach.
Once in awhile, Groves may even don the tools of ignorance to work with
his pitchers on the dirt.
FedLock's 2004 Schedule (subject to change)
May 1, 2 Wheaton, MD
May TBD Dominican Republic Tour
May 29-30 Washington, DC hosting Midland Explorers & other teams
June 18-20 Amsterdam, NY
June 25-27 Portland, OR
July 2-4 Monkton, Canada
July 16-18 Orillia, Canada
July 23-25 Allentown, PA
July 30-Aug 01 Farm Tourney Madison, WI
Aug 13-21 ISC World Tournament Fargo, ND
****other events may be added as time & scheduling permits****
Michael Groves
mailto:falcon@fedlock.com
