What started out as a cold and rainy beginning of the 2008 season ended with a hot and sticky 40&1 Awards Picnic (thanks to the whipped cream battle).

To our players: We hope you had a memorable time at the fields this year. You accomplished so much. You won some games and lost some games. You made new friends and learned new skills. You learned what it takes to make a team work together. These things will carry over from the baseball fields to your everyday life. And most of all you had fun! We could see it in all of your faces as you came up to the field house to devour sunflower seeds washed down with gallons of Gatorade.

To families and friends: You drove your players to the fields night and day. You sat through the bone-chilling cold and steamy weather. You cheered your players on, wiped their tears after injuries, made sure they were fed and had plenty of liquids. You washed uniforms that were impossibly stained. You changed your schedules to be at the fields. You gave hugs and encouragement when needed. And for all of that and more, your players--children, grandchildren, friends appreciate you more than you know.

To everyone -- from the players and families to the coaches, umps, board members and all who volunteered countless hours, sweat and hard work -- a sincere thank you for pitching in to help make our 56th year a rounding success.

Click the full story to view a photo display of our 2008 40&1 Youth Baseball Season!