Coach
I can't begin to tell you how much this season meant to Jac. I have
been part of every part of his baseball days until the Blizzard. This
has been the best baseball experience of his life. He joined to make
himself better for high school, and summer. He came out believing he
needs to make himself better this summer so he can make another Blizzard
team. From the 1st meeting and sharing the expectations it takes to be a
Blizzard player to the last game, he has become true BLUE.
Thanks exceeding our expectations and Jac will be back at tryouts
this summer. We certainly hope he improves this summer too and has
another opportunity to be part of your program.
Thanks
Jim Childs
***
Hope your fall season went well and you’re gearing up for some fun
winter baseball/training. You and the Blizzard program have meant so
much to Matthew. What a great experience he had. He really does think
of you guys (and many of his Blizz teammates) as family. When he
started playing with the Blizzard, I honestly could never have imagined
the extent of the positive influence it would have on him. Both from a
baseball and a personal development perspective. So thank you again.
-Charlie Fiedler (father of Matt Fiedler - attending University of Minnesota)
***
Hi Adam,
Joe and I went to the Miracle League game last week. I used to work
at Courage Center with young adults 18-65 y.o. I still describe the
Courage Center as “the job of my life.” It was the time I discovered
what was important to me, and what I cared about most.
I still see some of the people I took care of at the Courage Center,
and it is difficult to see them struggle with the constant and daily
reminders of their limitations…..yet, they laugh and are so joy filled;
so grateful for their lives and happy to see their friends and family.
What I was missing, though, is imagining these people as children. I
just can’t imagine why I would not have wondered what their childhood
was like…but I only saw what was in front of me.
If all of “my people” had an experience like the Miracle League….then
I am so happy for them. The playing of the game was great, but to see
the kids enjoy their “buddy” volunteers the way they did just choked me
up. I had to turn away a couple of times with emotion. The parents
overwhelmed me with their pride and joy in watching their kids play
baseball.
But the person that stuck out the most to me, was Jesse…..a diamond
in the baseball rough! His joy in pitching to those kids was
disarming. He knew all of their names, knew what they could and
couldn’t do; making it easy for them to hit the ball, joked with them,
teased them, and when they finally did hit the ball he would let it go
between his legs out to the field. At the end of the game, the kids all
ran up to him….some in their walkers, one with a crutch, others with
developmental delays….they all jumped up on him and hugged him in the
way only kids can do where there are no worries of boundaries or what is
appropriate and not….with all their might!
I cannot tell you how glad I am that I battled the traffic to get Joe
there. He has not stopped talking about it. There was a little boy
named Antonio that made Joe promise he would be his buddy tonight, and
this morning Joe told me that he really hopes the game is not rained
out.
Thank you so much for all of the good baseball Joe is experiencing
with Blizzard….and all of the good people….and all of the good friends
he has made. If Joe were never to realize his dream of college
baseball, I know he would be so grateful for this experience. Just as
the Courage Center was the “job of my life,” I see Blizzard as the time
of Joe’s life.
You are doing wonderful work.
Patty
***
Hello Adam,
I wanted to let you know that you and your coaches are
definitely training these kids right. I cannot tell you how many
parents have complimented Bryce and me on how great of a catcher he has
become. This obviously makes me very proud, but not nearly as proud as
when they come up and tell me what a nice and courteous young ballplayer
he is. That humbles me like nothing else. I am truly thankful that we
have found an organization that shares our same values and principles.
Keep up the good work and please thank Joe and Jesse for me!
Sincerely,
Tony Lovcik
***
Good Morning Adam:
This is another thank you for your
tremendous program and staff of instructors you have in the Blizzard
program. Aden, my freshman at Rochester Century, had tryouts this week
for the baseball team. He made the team.
I cannot express how much I was
impressed with Montana and how he was able to assess quickly what was
needed with Aden’s swing and accomplished exactly what I had hoped for –
smoothed out his swing without sacrificing his ability to hit for
power. In addition, Montana worked on the techniques of the catching
position and from what Aden told me about the catching drills the
coaches used to assess what players to keep for this year’s squad they
were exactly what Montana and Aden worked on during their time together.
The other aspect of the game that Montana worked with Aden was
bolstering his confidence that he could make the team and to carry that
confidence into the tryouts. A thank you also goes out to Matt who
worked with Aden on Wednesday evenings and built upon what Montana was
doing as well. Both coaches brought drills to the lessons that helped
Aden this week and things he will be able to draw on should the swing
get a bit out of sorts as the season progresses. I know Aden has more
work to do, but he has been placed on a great road to continue to
develop as a baseball player.
After the great experience with
Sterling in fall ball, and the way the program (Montana) was able to
develop Aden’s game in such a short time, you have a firm supporter in
Blizzard baseball now and in the years to come. I know we will be back
for more lessons and other programs sponsored by the Blizzard for both
Aden and Sterling.
Please share my comments and thoughts with Montana.
A final note – my wife, Amy, after we
received word that Aden made the team said, “that was the best
investment of money (the lessons) we ever made”, and I couldn’t agree
more.
Again, much thanks.
Mark Homard
***
Adam,
I just wanted you to know how MUCH Rob enjoyed being part of the
Blizzard Elite this past year! As parents, we applaud the Blizzard
program's leadership, code of conduct, emphasis on being a good teammate
and your mission statement, as these very same components seem to be
taking a backseat in many of today's high school sports. Thank you for
creating such an outstanding program for these young men! We're looking
forward to one great "last" year with the Blizzard Elite!
Jolie Mouton
***
Well done at awards banquet today...we are proud to be Blizzard
Alumni....your program and Kasey's hard work turned him into a solid
young man with a D1 scholarship!
Mike Ralston
***
It has been a great ride and enjoyed every minute of it. Dominic
would not be the ball player he is today without this experience but
more importantly he would not be the person he is. He has grown up and
experienced a whole new world outside of his old comfort zone, made new
friends and learned to travel and experience new things that most kids
age will never have the opportunity to try or the courage. We are
forever grateful to Adam and Johnny for this.
Thanks for all you din in baseball and in life!
Sincerely,
The Reeds