The U.S. Exporters lay claim to their piece of 
first place in the Spring 2001 regular season after
sweeping Quarterdeck by scores of 9-4 and 26-13.

The awesome Hosers also swept their games against
CCSP-Coughlin, which means that the regular season 
ends with both the U.S. Exporters and the Hosers
tied with 15-2-1 records.  What a race!

Congratulations to the Hosers.

Pat Drury Selected Team MVP
There was only a 50-50 chance, at best, that Pat 
Drury would return to the U.S. Exporters for the 
Spring 2001 season.  Pat had suffered a painful 
tear in his wrist during the Fall 2000 season, and 
he had even consulted with Dr. Albrigo (the sawbones 
who performed Coach Hatfield's knee surgery in 2000)
about the possibility of an operation.

But Pat made it back, and he has earned the U.S. 
Exporters Spring 2001 Most Valuable Player Award 
on the strength of this storybook comeback season!

Among his many accomplishments this year, Pat broke 
his own team record by pitching ten complete games 
without giving up a walk.  Pat posted one of the 
lowest ERA's in years and provided strong leadership 
in the middle of the infield during the rough and 
tumble pennant drive.  Finally, Pat is only the 
second U.S. Exporters pitcher to win 11 games in a
season.  Quite a feat!

Congratulations, Pat!

Greg Mecher took a circuitous route to the U.S.
Exporters starting lineup.  In the Spring 2000
season he was optioned to the E Street Shufflers
to get more playing time.  In the Fall 2000 season
Greg returned to play a backup role as a second 
string outfielder.  Things changed in the Spring 
2001 season.

After Chris Huckleberry severely injured his back 
in the 2001 Early Bird Tournament, Greg sprang into
action and won the starting position in left center
field.  When Huck returned to the lineup, Greg's
fielding had become so valuable to the team that
he was assigned to left field.  He is now a near
permanent fixture there.

Congratulations, Greg!  Do it again.

Jim Fleniken joined the U.S. Exporters by accident.
Like many other newcomers to Arlington, Jim had
signed up for the Arlington Men's Softball Tryout.
Unfortunately, a wet field had cancelled the activity,
but the word did not get out to everyone--including
Coach Hatfield who was busy recruiting ballplayers
for the new Free Traders team.  Jim was spotted
organizing a batting practice for the other newcomers
who had mistakenly appeared for the cancelled tryout.

The rest is history. Jim is the top rookie of the 
season.

Jim has made a number of important contributions to 
the team this spring, including winning the team MVP 
Award in the Youth Benefit Tournament.  Jim was also
selected to be the team's leadoff hitter in the 
important Stuart Grey games in early May 2001.

One day the Jim Duffy-Jim Fleniken infield combination
will be an awesome sight!  Good luck, Jim!

It was a heck of an exciting season.  Congratulations
to all of the teams and players that made the Spring 
2001 softball season one of the most exciting seasons
ever!