[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BAKERSFIELD SOUTHWEST BASEBALL TEAM

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                            HON. BILL THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 1998

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievement of a 
group of young people in my District. On the weekend of August 22, 1998 
in Purcellville, Virginia, the Bakersfield Southwest baseball team 
completed a remarkable season and captured the 16-year-old Babe Ruth 
World Series championship.
  We are thrilled with the great feats accomplished by this Bakersfield 
Southwest team. In the past four years, the Southwest team posted an 
amazing 55-4 record in the Babe Ruth league. In this year's World 
Series, Bakersfield was undefeated in winning the championship, which 
included a pair of two-hitters and a masterful shutout in the finale. 
Bakersfield Southwest also became the first team to win back-to-back 
World Series championships in their age group! All of this was done in 
a particularly special year for Babe Ruth baseball since 1998 is the 
50th anniversary of the Babe's death.
  But amidst all of these accomplishments, I am most proud of this team 
for the dedication and effort that they put into winning this second 
title. After winning the first, day in and day out, this team worked to 
correct mistakes and enhance skills. When I think of the way this team 
worked together, I remember the words of the immortal Babe Ruth: ``The 
way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the 
greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play 
together, the club won't be worth a dime.'' Bakersfield Southwest had 
its collection of individual stars, but the team worked together, 
maximizing its many strengths. In all their effort and hard work, they 
epitomized the great American pastime we call baseball; they worked 
together, played together, and had fun together. I am sure that the 
skill and determination exhibited by this team will carry over to make 
them winners in life as well.
  I would like to express my appreciation to Manager Dave Hillis for 
guiding this team, as well as Coaches Bob Soto, Ben Bradford, Mark 
Parker, and Ken Miller for all their fine work. Most importantly, I 
would also like to congratulate Spencer Bailey, Brian Bock, Clint 
Bradford, Tommy Brast, Travis Hamlin, Tony Hillis, Shaine Jensen, 
Darrin Levinson, Derick Martin, Ryan Mask, Soctt Mawson, Todd Sachs, 
Sean Sorrow, Ty Soto, Brent Warren, and Josh Wyrick for an outstanding 
season and a string of masterful years in the Babe Ruth League. 
Although I did not dye my hair blonde as was the team's trademark, I, 
like many others from my District, salute Bakersfield Southwest and 
thank the team for representing Bakersfield with extreme honor, 
dignity, and sportsmanship.

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