We have just completed another successful season in the OVL! In our second year of divisional play, our playoff pairings were not set until the final day
of the season. Both of our divisional champions, Owensboro and Hopkinsville, made it through the first two rounds of the playoffs and went the full
three games in round three with Owensboro winning the playoff championship 2 games to 1.
We had our annual All-Star game in
After the championship was completed, the OVL had two teams participate in the inaugural “Bluegrass World Series” in
My thanks also goes out to all of the workers behind the scene; the scorekeepers, PA announcers, scoreboard operators, radio announcers, concession stand workers, merchandise table workers, grounds crew, ticket takers, ushers, video personnel, bat boys/girls, statisticians, host families and all others that make it possible to provide quality baseball to our local region and to the nation via the internet and Game Changer. I cannot leave out our Webmaster, Zach Bulleit, who stayed up late every night to post all of the games and box scores and maintained the leagues stats.
Thanks to all of the coaches and their staffs who spent their summer helping to develop the players skills and understanding the importance of why they were playing summer ball.
Also, thanks to the umpires. Without them, the league would not survive. They, like the players, spend their summers honing their skills as umpires and to make sure the game is played in the correct manner .I cannot express my gratitude enough to them for the job they do and the dedication that they have towards making the OVL one of the premier leagues in the country.
A BIG thanks goes out to the dedicated fans, sponsors, owners and advertisers. Without each of you, we would not be able to have an Ohio Valley League! Whether your team was winning or losing, you were always there giving your full support.
Before I close, I have to thank all of the coaches across the nation that sent their players to our league for us to help develop them into better
players and young men. Also, thank you to Mom, Dad and family members! For some, it was the first time that your son/relative has been away from
home for the summer and they are sending them hundreds of miles away to an unfamiliar town to play baseball. It also gave them an opportunity and
place to spend their vacation and experience our fine Southern Hospitality! I must not leave out a first that occurred this year in our league.
We had a marriage ceremony take place at home plate in
In closing, I want to leave you with one last comment .Please remember that baseball is just a game and we owe it to all of you and the players to provide the best possible environment to participate in and to build lasting memories for a lifetime.
Respectfully yours for better collegiate baseball,
Cubb R. Stokes, President