Stealth baseball goes back to core -- having fun

In late fall 2007, a small group of Libertyville parents connected to discuss creating a sane travel baseball experience for their kids - one where men would not be yelling at boys playing a game; no manager's or coach's ego would guide decision-making; the focus would be squarely placed on having fun playing history's greatest game; and all connected families would know that final scores, records and standings are but minute indicators of team success.

What would, at a fantastic initial team gathering, come to be called the Lake County Stealth U14 Travel Baseball Team now readies to pack its equipment bag for the last time. But this inaugural season would not be complete without a very public thank you to countless local individuals and organizations that made the Stealth experience an unbelievable success.

So, to our organizers, Cathy Heller and Amy Keefe; our winter coaches, Dar Townsend and Kyle Frischmannn at Slammers Training Center; our generous sponsor, Kevin Keefe at Brilliance Honda; our cheerleaders, the Stealth Sweeties; our gutsy vocal supporters, the numerous Libertyville Travel Baseball players who sounded encouragement to our team; our field gurus, Jack Deichl, Phil Kym, Dick Klaess and John Klaess; our coaches, Frank Pavelske and Brad Clark; our super subs J.P. Pistella, Anthony Monken and one whose naming might get him in trouble with his other team; and the following Stealth players and their fantastic families: Patrick Clark, Tyler Erlandson, Alex Gough, Kevin Heller, Tommy Keefe, Martin Kiernan, Zach Labrum, Drew Loiacono, Ellis Matthews, Luke Matthewson, Jared Pavelske, Bradford Reszel, Griffin Rush, Daniel Ryan, and Daniel Tropple. Thank you all for making Stealth baseball 2008 a truly wondrous phenomenon.

Anyone looking to carry the Stealth mantle in future seasons must adhere to the mission behind the name, as outlined above, and may contact Kevin Keefe at Brilliance Honda in Crystal Lake to inquire about sponsorship and the use of some very cool uniforms.

Barry Reszel

Libertyville