Kate and I were invited out of coaching retirement to shift traditional colors and help the second Northwest (Swanton & Highgate) entry in Vermont's 2010 Senior League (13-17 years). What a summer we had -- our Orange uniforms grew on us as our group of girls (pumpkins) repeatedly impressed, surprised, and delighted.

The NW2 Orange rotated positions, shared innings, played hard, laughed often -- and finished 11-1. The finale was a grand microcosm of the season. We won a 2-1 nailbiter over our friends on the first Northwest team: sharing the mound among four pitchers, manufacturing the go ahead run in the bottom of the 6th, and sealing the win despite the tying run on 3rd in the 7th as one of our youngers made a brilliant catch in left field to end it. Great season, Orange -- here are a few photos shot haphazardly from the (home) dugout in the finale to remember it by!!