The Carillon Sultans dug down deep, winning an extra innings classic, earning the group a bronze medal from nationals in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Lots of positives
"We got a really great bunch of kids," head coach Rick Penner says with a proud smile. "Including the pickups we got, all the guys just battled every game. They picked each other up, played really good defense, swung the bats amazingly, we were a force at the plate with our entire team. Our pitching, we had great pitching. We were in every single game, it was so close when we lost the semifinal game, but, just all around, we played really sound baseball, and we had a great bunch of kids."
Total team effort
What stood out to the coaches was the level of compete from the whole team, and how the selflessness was contagious. "We saw it all year long, and I think we've had that for the last two years since we've been apart of the program," Penner says. "New kids come up, they see that environment, that vibe, and they just buy into it. I think it's taken place over a number of years already, and there are no guys doing it for themselves, they're doing it for the team, every single game."
Down but never out
Losing in the semifinals was heartbreaking, but Penner says the group showed a lot of heart, earning a medal to bring home with them. "It mean's a lot. I know it was hard, it was emotionally very difficult to lose that (semifinal), and we knew coming in, we talked about it, it wasn't the way we wanted things to play out, but we're not walking away with nothing, we want to come home with a medal, and we're going to fight for it. I think early on, you could sense a little flatness, took a bit to get back into the game. It was a tight ball game, it just picked up and it picked up, and the guys fed off of it, they got really fired up. Then for it to go into extra innings, like it was such an emotional finish to that game."
Top of their game
The tournament is a couple of days of very intense, very pressure filled baseball, and Penner says his team really thrived on everything about it all. "It's very special, this group of kids, they are smart ball players, they're good athletes, and I feel a lot of the time that I'm just along for the ride. They know more than I do in certain situations. To go through the weekend, it's exciting that we won our league a week ago, but to take that same thing into this tournament, competing at a top level, it was very special to see, and be a part of."
Taking time to live the moment
Penner made sure to stand back during the celebration and appreciate what a magical season it was. "Oh, I definitely did," he says with a hint of emotion. "I watched the moments of the guys giving each other hugs, parents coming in and celebrating these moments, because they are a big part of the experience. Some guys have grown up together, there are different groups, and even including our pickup players, they felt it, too. They know our guys, we've competed against them for a while, so they really bought in and it was great. It's a lot to watch, the smiles, the relief after a really busy weekend, and a long season. It was special, and I appreciate it. Obviously, with my son playing on this team, and it being the end of his junior career, that made it extra special for me."
Experience now can lead to success later
Having gone through this, Penner believes the younger players that will be going to nationals again next year, will be in a really good place after such valuable experiences. "We've seen it first hand, going back two years ago when we lost a playoff series, it lead to a win the following year. That built into this year, and now into nationals. They had big game moments, they didn't panic under pressure, they'd play good defense, and pitch well in difficult situations, and that's a result of being in these moments, being able to see it. We were able in our playoffs to have a couple of younger kids come up, and help us out, so they got to see it, and be a part of it. They're going to build on it for next year, too."
Building up the next generation
This team is leaving a strong legacy, something that has been instilled in the younger Sultan's players, and a real point of pride for Penner. "It's very special. I think these guys get it, and they are very appreciative of the opportunity. They like seeing the kids come out, they've done events with younger teams, and they rise to it. It's honouring to have that reputation, and they'd have seen it when they were young, now it's their role. They love to be role models, and it's a rewarding experience for them."
The Carillon Sultans will be remembered for many reasons, and the team will remember what they accomplished, every time they look at the medal they're coming home with.