The Sappy Year-End Post

Sunset over a Palmer farm

I don't usually write stuff like this. But what the heck, the new year is right around the corner, and I have too much ooey gooey goodness in my heart to keep it all inside. This blog has been around a little less than two months, but for that amount of time I consider it to be a success. Nowhere near the success I imagine it could attain with a lot of hard work on my part, but for a blog that is still in its infancy it has made leaps and bounds.

None of this would be possible without all the people who have helped me get this thing off the ground, and I want to give all those folks a big virtual e-hug to say thanks.



First, thanks to all the players -- future and former -- who have taken time to speak with me. I know that the life of a student athlete, or professional athlete, or whatever other career that you guys have taken on is probably not easy. I'm not much more than a fan; I guess having a blog makes my soap box stand a little taller than some other fans, but at this point at least, it's not a whole lot. You've probably done me more of a favor than I can do for you in return. For that I'm truly thankful. Thanks for taking the time to interact with me, and other fans of the ABL.

Thanks to all the teams who have been supportive of this project. One of the stated goals of this blog is to promote the Alaska League. I am very passionate about it, and I want to share my passion with others. I am new to sports writing, though, and I have to confess that I was afraid at first that my plan might backfire and I might write the wrong thing and actually make the league look bad. I really don't want to suck. The overwhelmingly positive response from all the teams who I have had contact with has assured me that, actually, I don't suck, which encourages me to keep going full-speed ahead with 49th State Hardball.

Thanks to all of the other baseball bloggers who have helped me get started. You've done a lot to help me by sharing links, expertise, and ideas with me. I try to return the favor as much as I can.

Finally, thanks to all the readers out there. It's not much fun writing and writing and writing, and never have anyone who reads what you write. I probably wouldn't have kept going this long if it weren't for all the people who read my articles. Especially the ones who take a moment to comment and let me know that someone finds my work thought-provoking. Above all else, that's what keeps me going. You keep reading and I will keep writing. Thanks a million.

OK, that's it for the sappy thank-you fest. Hopefully I won't do this again until next year. And hopefully by then we'll have a lot more success to be thankful for. But for now, I am seriously thankful from the bottom of my heart.

Now back to the baseball.