2009 11U Canton Cardinals

 2008 10U AA World Series Champions

2008 10U AA State Champions

2008 10U AAA State Runner-Up

2008 10U Open Memorial Day Classic Champions

2008 10U Open Mt. Clemens Memorial Champions

2007 9U AA State Champions

2007 9U Northville Early Bird Champions

Representing the Plymouth-Canton community with pride, class, and dignity

Head Coach: Dan Hejka, Sr.

Players play....TEAMS win!

Check out our photo albums to see pictures of our exciting 2008 season.

Well that is a wrap on the 2008 season, and what a way to end it! I hope we didn't disappoint. I cannot put into words how proud I am of all of my Cardinals, and the entire Cardinal family. We all handled ourselves with dignity, humility, and pride all season especially in Battle Creek. I was proud to say those are my boys, but equally proud to say those are my coaches and parents.

The season capped off fittingly with Brett Lee catching the last out in our slugfest against Michigan Elite. As you know Brett was named MVP of the World Series and fittingly so. He had 5 triples, and 1 home run, and played very solid in the outfield.

I am hopeful that after such an exciting week the boys really believe me when I say it’s the little things that win baseball games. It was great to see Aaron get those final outs when he had to be nervous. I know I was. He handled it like a real pro. The discipline he showed at the plate with the "walk off walk" against the Elite in the 1st game was awesome.

Andrew Jossey’s presence behind the plate and on the basepaths was felt by more than one boy. He is one boy I would not want sliding into me or blocking home plate. He loves to catch, and boy did I work him back there. Andrew Hejka moved kids over on the bases it seemed like every time he was up, and played stellar in the field. You all know it can be hard watching your own child play. It is no different for me. However, when he is in the field, I know when the ball comes to him, its an out!

Kevin's excitement when he hit a sacrifice fly still is one of the highlights from the entire week for me. It was great to see him so excited to make an out but knock in a run. I still have never seen anyone hit the ball harder than Mike Groff when he connects. His hard line drives up the middle always seemed to come at the right time. Like the other two catchers, Michael really stepped it up and dedicated himself to not letting any balls get through him when he was catching.

The Camerons solid play in the field made it evident that the Canton Cardinals had the best 2nd base/shortstop combo in the tournament, and maybe the Midwest. Name me two better!!! In the first inning I tell Stella and Shaughnessy before they hit the same thing. "I need base runners, get on base." As if it were that easy!!!! They made it look like it. I like playing with a lead and it seemed like we was almost always doing that, and they started the fireworks.

Seth became more of a vocal leader, and that is something I am looking for. He was the motivator often times. I told him several times over the week to talk to his teammates and get them going. I loved watching Seth hit. He hardly ever strikes out or even swings and misses. I know if someone is on base when he is up that they had a good chance to score.

Trevor worked hard all week, and had me help him with his swing, and he wanted to take extra swings instead of go swimming with the boys or whatever. That was huge to me. It paid off with a couple hard hit balls in the tournament. When he got his chance to pitch he pitched us out of a jam.

One of the umps told me about Grant, "I have never seen a 10 year old throw that hard." I told the ump that was because he is really 14. When I saw our pool (the hardest one again) included Clarkston, I thought of one word....Grant. There were no ands, ifs, or buts about that one. Then he went and shut them out again!!! They wanted no part of him. Behind the plate he took control of the games, and if memory serves correctly he might have even covered first on a play.

What a season! I said it before, and I will say it again. I knew we would be good, but I never thought we would accomplish what we did. You have very talented boys, and I thank you for letting me coach them this season. What the future brings only time will tell, but I can say that there will never be another team like the 2008 10U Canton Cardinals. I know Canton will never see a better 10U-travel team!

Parents, players, and coaches, thank you for all you have done to support the Canton Cardinals and travel baseball in the GCYBSA. The future cannot be guaranteed to anybody, but this much I know...we all have a lot to tell our friends, relatives and grandchildren about the 10U Cardinals. That ALONE make it a successful season; the success on the field is just a bonus.

God Bless my Cardinal Family,

Dan