Words cannot describe the amount of gratitude we feel toward the local merchants in the Snoqualmie Valley area. Our women’s softball team, the Valley Merchants, would like to thank each and every business out there that donated money toward our team. Without your sponsorship, we would not be able to compete in USSSA tournaments, nor would we be able to afford the fees needed to go to state or nationals each year.

This year our team took second in state. We advanced to the national tournament, which was held in Salem, Ore. While there, we competed against the best of the best, facing teams from California, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Washington. Although we didn’t place as high as we had hoped, it was a great opportunity for us to play ball against other great teams.

As a thank you to all of our sponsors, we would like to dedicate this year’s season to all of you! With a number of first-place rankings in tournaments and a second-place title for the state of Washington, this year has been a great success. In fact, we have done so well that next year our team will have to compete in a higher division. Thanks again to all the businesses who have sponsored us over the years, among them:

Espresso Time, Mount Si Chevron, Claffey’s Painting, Si View Construction, Honey Tree Daycare, Frankie’s Pizza, Mount Si Texaco, Gaslamp Tavern, Twede’s Cafe, Issaquah Glass, Double D Landscaping, Fury Construction, Evergreen Sports Turf & Landscape, Alpine Fitness, Rod’s Autocare, Red House, Alan’s Service Staple & Nail, Issaquah Bank, Highland Construction, Weber Construction, Mount Si Tavern, North Bend Bar & Grill, Somerset Auto Glass, Ace Hardware, El Caporal, Clayton Littlejohn, Teriyaki Town, Sunbelt Rentals, Main Barber, Cascade Golf Course, Able Kleening Systems, Dennis Window Cleaning, The Reef and Scott’s Dairy Freeze.

And to our coaches, Ron Williams and Erwin Adams, who have coached most of us since we were in Little League: Thank you for all of the time, support and commitment you have provided us with.

We look forward to seeing all our sponsors next year.

Members of the Valley Merchants softball team

For all the letters this week, pick up a copy of the Valley Record