KM Ltd may have flown under the radar but the co-ed softball team deserves respect and praise.
The company claimed the A division of the Fall Adult Co-Ed Softball League, put on by the Cayman Islands Little League. At the Field of Dreams in George Town last week KM would rise to the top thanks to an eight-inning, 17-15 thriller over the PWC Legion of Boom.
Starting pitcher and team captain David Nielsen steadied the side to victory on the mound and at the plate with clutch hits. He states the title is as satisfying as the final.
“The championship game against PWC could not have been a more fitting end to a great season for both teams,” Nielsen said. “To win or lose in a game like this one still leaves you with a great sense of accomplishment. You know you deserved to be there. You earned the right to compete for the number one spot. You gave it your all for a close, competitive game.
“Nobody wants a blowout in the championship game. It was anybody’s game, right down to the last person at bat. This is how a championship game should be played. The game going into overtime was just a plus for this awesome game. A fitting finish. That just cannot be equalled. I was so nervous. At my age and experience to actually be nervous is a testament to the level of competition that exists in this league. I respect all the players and I really enjoy playing against them.”
KM Ltd had a interesting journey to the championship. They went through the regular season 8-4, finishing second in the A division behind 10-2 PWC. From there the side beat 1-11 KPMG A and 5-7 Island Taste Hot Stuff in the playoffs. In the process the club got past formidable clubs with talented players like Bradimir Robinson of PWC and Rob Duty of Island Taste.
Nielsen states beating those teams was no easy task.
“This season, I will say has been the most competitive I have experienced since I joined co-ed softball nine or 10 years ago. Every team had a chance of winning every game they played. You did not go to the park and think you had an easy win. You had to work for each and every one of them.
“Each team had the talent to succeed. That made this year special. Every week you had to be aggressive and play at the top of your game. You were looking for every opportunity you could to come away a winner. Definitely this was an exhilarating season. In my opinion, the best ever!”
KM’s title is a breakthrough in another way. The 2011 fall campaign marks the second time in the last three seasons that a squad outside of reigning dynasty Home Gas has won the top flight. Nielsen believes KM’s triumph, in addition to that of Kirk Freeport in the 2010 fall season, is proof that the field of competitors is balanced.
“This league has been dominated in the past by the infamous Home Gas squad. I believe they have only given up two championships in the last five plus years. For a team like KM to win the championship tells everyone they have a chance now. KM is not a young team, a fast team or a team full of big hitters. KM is simply a team of individuals that have learned to play as a team. We offset each other’s weaknesses and we never give up!
“When I look back at some of our individual players’ growth since they have been with us, one lady really stands out. Samantha Ebanks is definitely at the top my list. She has grown to become one of our best hitters and outfielder. She surprises defences every week. I believe in another year or so she should be the number one female player in the league. Her personality and demeanour just adds to the mystique of this young lady.
“Special mention goes out to Colleen Williams, Samantha McField and Diana Wells. If it were not for the level of play our female players reached this year we would not have ever made the finals, much less the championship. Our ladies really came through for us this year. They were awesome to watch. Not taking anything away from our guys though.
“Our outfielders Robert Winans, Ramon Martinez, Dennis Martinez and our main man Charlie O’Neill were as solid as they come, making unbelievable catches each and every game. Our infielders Yarian Powery, Norlan Duarte, Brent McComb and Dale Stoudt gave batters very few places to punch the ball through. They are a fine group of people, of which I respect and truly enjoy spending time with on the field.”
The success of the team is an added bonus for sponsor Brent McComb.
“As a player I’m very proud and as a sponsor very happy to be involved with such a great group of people,” McComb said. “I think our win is really about a group of people who love the game, make the commitment and truly are just having fun together.”
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