DONEGAL ACORNS ROUNDUP 2008

2008 was another banner year for the Donegal Acorns softball team!  After a breakthrough 2007 season, the ’08 team virtually duplicated last year’s performance.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Finishing 2^nd in our division
• Compiling our 2nd winning season, 14-10, in our 7 years of existence
• Qualifying for the playoffs for the third time in team history
• Playing in a total of 34 games, including the Camp Donegal Tournament

On the field, we had some very memorable moments:

• Our “masters level” players – Pastor Tom, Paul Garrigan and John Nissley had great seasons, contributing in the field and at the plate, great job guys!
• We welcomed 3 new players: 
• Dan Royer, a recent college graduate, played some fantastic shortstop for us and is a very good hitter; he was our rookie of the year!
• Mark and John Kunkle, John Welsh’s brother-in-law and nephew, bolstered our line-up at 2^nd base and outfield respectively and provided much needed power to our lineup, welcome aboard guys and we look forward to seeing you at Donegal. 
• Camp Donegal Tourney:  We played a total of 7 games, beat Little Britain for the first time, and lost in the final for the second straight year.  Perhaps 2009 will be our year.  This tournament is unique in that it requires every team to include at least 2 females on their rosters. This year we had the talents of Caitlin Royer and Beth Forry, who came out of retirement to help us out. 

Once again, we would like to thank Don Betty for being our intrepid scorekeeper.  Don also continues to be a friend of the Acorns and we greatly appreciate his support.

Warren Pennypacker, our unofficial fundraiser, sold over 40 discount cards for us again this year and helped us to a team high 80 cards sold!  Thanks again Warren on behalf of all of the Acorns.  Since the fields at the Armstrong facility are mostly complete now, the proceeds from the discount card sale and sub sale went directly to covering our team’s costs, roughly $750.00!  This, in turn, benefits the church at the bottom line.

Well, we hope to see you at the ball field to cheer on the Acorns next season.  Anyone interested in joining the Acorns please let us know or attend our winter meeting in March 2009.  Thanks to all the Acorns for an incredibly enjoyable season, see you in the spring!

Don’t forget, the annual Acorns year-end Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m. at the Musser’s house.  Please bring a side dish, lawn chairs, swimsuits and towels if weather permits, and your memories of the season.  Also, please let Jodi or Greg know if you’re coming by Monday, September 15 at 653-9297

Faithfully submitted,

Mitch Forry (Acorns’ GM)