THE END OF THE APPLES

Apples Bounced From Playoffs
Teams Future Is Uncertain

Allornothing
Nashville, TN

It was a lousy end to a lousy season for the Apples last night as they were thumped out of the Granny White Coed Softball League playoffs in the opening round.

"I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the way this season played out" said AGFHOF Don Bernitt as he packed the bats and balls away for the last time of 2008.

When it was over, last nights game was a microcosm of the Apples entire season. They in spurts showed glimpses of greatness as was made evident by the hitting of Greg Swafford and the defensive play of out fielder John Jones. Swafford and Jone's performances combined with the tenacity and hustle of Tiffany Smith showed why the Apples in the past had earned the reputation of a team that you did not want to play. However, as was the case throughout the season, this years Apples were unable to pull it all together as a team when it counted the most.

"That is what disappoints me the most" said Bernitt as he looked back on the season that was. " There is no doubt in my mind that if you look up and down our lineup we had the makings of a very good team. It just seems that some folks just didn't want to be here at times this year and it showed by the way we played."

Bernitt continued, "Ultimately I am responsible for the what happens on the field each week and I apologize for the crappy show we put on this year." " I promise you this" continued Bernitt, " this will never happen again." Bernitt's comments again fueled speculation that with last nights season ending lost we have seen the end of the Apples. All season reports have pointed to the strong likelihood that the Apples will dissolve the storied franchise and all that will remain are the faint memories and illusions that were the Apples.

When asked to comment on the future of the Apples Bernitt said, "I'll put it this way, if... and that is a big big if....if we play again next year we will be starting at square one. By that I mean, as of now their is nobody on this team period! All positions are open and nobody other then myself is guaranteed a spot on this roster."

Although we would not comment directly, reports have surfaced that Bernitt has been in discussions with players from both Detroit MI and Hermitage TN and that it is possible that the talk of the end of the Apples may in fact be a smoke screen to the true story of the behind the scenes discussions that are already underway that will involve several high profile additions to the 2009 Apples.

As with past seasons, the Apples have announced that they will hold a special news conference in the near future to announce this years MVP's and bring the season to it's official close. Unlike past seasons, it is a tough guess as to who will bring home the hardware based on the already mentioned underachieving performances on the team.

In off the field news, when asked what was in store for the off season and what to expect from the Apples 2008 Summer Tour, Bernitt told listeners "like the rest of you, I'm paying extra attention to oil and gas prices right now so with that in mind I have decided to take a trip to visit ANWAR (Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge) and see for myself what all the fuss is about when it comes to drilling for oil in Northern Alaska." Bernitt will leave in a few weeks for Alaska and said that it is not at of the realm of possibilites that he might find a player or two during his side trip over the Arctic Circle to the shores of the Arctic Ocean and the top of the world. " From what I've heard, there are some guys who swing a mean club up there" said Bernitt.

And so it is and was. The 2008 Apples Coed Softball season is over and in the history books. What happens next is any ones guess, but if you listen carefully during these long summer nights do not be surprised if you hear the faint echo of that now famous cheer................................

How bout them Apples!