I let out a big sigh of relief Thursday evening when I saw the Douglas All-Stars return home from their 10-day stay at the State Little League Tournament in Peoria.

Back home safe and sound were my thoughts – thank God.

As president of the Douglas Little League I could not be prouder of what these kids and their coaches accomplished.

 A final four spot in the state tournament is something they can take great pride in.

All four teams in the final four at state were from Douglas’ pool indicating how tough our bracket actually was. Sure it would have been nice to saw you were the top team in your pool like Mesa American but that wouldn’t mean much when you would later suffer a first round loss to a fourth seeded team like Douglas.

I thought our coaches Eddie Hurtado, Paco Esquer, Shawn Leigh and George Watkins not to mention all the other countless individuals who contributed one way or another, did an outstanding job with these kids.

This was truly a community team.

The All-Stars got off to a rough start at the District 8 tournament in Willcox dropping their first game while using five different pitchers.

These kids and their coaches found a way to battle back through the consolation bracket winning five straight games including two straight over the team that beat them in the first round.

Going into state all I wanted was for these kids to not finish last, win some games and handle themselves with class.

That was accomplished and now these kids can look back on this season with pride.

As many of you may, or may not, be aware this is my final term as president of Douglas Little League. My term expires Aug. 31 and I have decided not to come back.

 I’ve done this twice and this is it for me - time for someone else to have the enjoyment I’ve experienced.

I’ve had my critics this past year but I can honestly tell each and every one of you that every action I took, good or bad, was with what I felt was in the best interest of the league.

All my goals this year were met. We had money to get these kids to state, every kid got a trophy, all our bills are paid and there is enough money for next year’s board to start off with.

I also had a good board helping me this year. We argued at times but what board doesn’t but in the end look at what we accomplished.

This was total group effort nothing that I or anyone of my board members did by themselves.

The one thing that I see more and more of each year is the same people helping out.

 It’s not hard to have a successful program all you need to have is organization and a board willing to work together for a common cause. But a few individuals doing a bulk of the work by themselves makes it tiring and cumbersome.

Looking back on the season there are many memories I will take with me among those being this all-star team and the road they took to get to the final four. We also had some very exciting games and some outstanding plays that were made in those games as well as during the regular season that will also stay with me.

It was fun at times - I do admit.

I’ve been around baseball most of my life and I have to admit baseball is a great game and if I could still play I would.

 It was fun while it lasted but now its time to move on and start a new season – are you ready for some football?