2007 MVP Lanny Fisher Spurns Other
Offers; Returns to Street Kids/Suburban
Offers; Returns to Street Kids/Suburban
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
South Bend, IN 11/10/08
He had offers from several other teams this off season, but
when it came down to it, Lanny Fisher wanted to stay with
the organization that was not only committed to winning on
the field, but off the field as well.
The former world champion pitcher had a career season in
2008, following his 2007 MVP campaign in which he helped
lead the Street Kids/Suburban team to the state championship.
This season, Fisher had an on base percentage of .763 and
drove in 219 runs, good for third best on the team - not bad
for a lead off batter. His record 107 doubles and 396 hits
may never be broken.
He had offers from several other teams this off season, but
when it came down to it, Lanny Fisher wanted to stay with
the organization that was not only committed to winning on
the field, but off the field as well.
The former world champion pitcher had a career season in
2008, following his 2007 MVP campaign in which he helped
lead the Street Kids/Suburban team to the state championship.
This season, Fisher had an on base percentage of .763 and
drove in 219 runs, good for third best on the team - not bad
for a lead off batter. His record 107 doubles and 396 hits
may never be broken.
Stats are great for personal achievement, but Fisher said on Monday that stats are for fun and for the
website. Winning games on the field, coupled with making a difference off the field is what really matters to
the former 11-time state champion.
"There are a lot of teams that are competing to be the best in softball for each class," Fisher said. "and Street
Kids is no different. I made a commitment a couple of years ago to this team to build a championship and
even though we won a state title last year, I feel that my job is incomplete. We have a great organization,
great sponsors, and combine that with some of the moves that TJ (Jorgensen) is doing to improve the team as
well as the hard work he does to improve our community off the field, the choice to come back wasn't that
hard."
The son of legendary Michigan Hall of Fame coach Al Fisher, the 39 year old pitcher - who turns 40 in
February - had offers from several other teams who could use the skills and talent that Fisher has earned in
his 20 years of playing softball. Even though he was flattered by some of the requests, Fisher took many
things into consideration when he made the decision to return to SKS.
"For one, location is always important, but not required," Fisher added. "Being close to home makes things
easier on family and work life. Second, I have grown to enjoy my teammates on Street Kids as friends and I
enjoy playing ball with them. Finally, when you have an owner like TJ who loves this team and everyone on it
so much, it shows me that he truly cares about the things he says and writes about. To me, that shows he has
integrity. And that goes along way in my book."
Fisher made his decision over the weekend after speaking with current teammates, talking with family and
reading about the introduction of new SKS player Kalei Enterline.
"Bringing in Kalei - who was my favorite player on
the Cousins Roofing team last year - shows me this
team is committed to winning," he concluded.
Over the past month, several rumors have circulated
that Fisher as well as three to four other SKS
players had already committed to DeHarts Rentals
softball team. But manager TJ Jorgensen never
veered off his goal to bring back the core of the
team for 2009.
"By November, the message boards are filled with rumors," said Jorgensen. "And even with all the rumors -
some of which may have even been close to true - I still refused to give up on Lanny and some of the others.
I told (assistant manager) JR Shapiro that no matter what I heard, I was going to sit down with Lanny and
some of the other guys and pitch my 2009 plan to them and hope for the best. With our addition of Kalei,
along with bringing back one of the best inside-the-park hitters that has ever played in this area in Fisher, I
think it will cause a domino effect with other 'free agents' on the team and those other players who had Street
Kids in their considerations for next year."
Jorgensen stated that the team is far from done building the team for 2009, saying that there are still two
positions he would like to fill before December, but did not go into details.
This Saturday, Fisher will attend the annual Street Kids/Suburban post season awards banquet in South
Bend, where he is a finalist for several awards, including the Starcraft Bus Most Valuable Player honor.
website. Winning games on the field, coupled with making a difference off the field is what really matters to
the former 11-time state champion.
"There are a lot of teams that are competing to be the best in softball for each class," Fisher said. "and Street
Kids is no different. I made a commitment a couple of years ago to this team to build a championship and
even though we won a state title last year, I feel that my job is incomplete. We have a great organization,
great sponsors, and combine that with some of the moves that TJ (Jorgensen) is doing to improve the team as
well as the hard work he does to improve our community off the field, the choice to come back wasn't that
hard."
The son of legendary Michigan Hall of Fame coach Al Fisher, the 39 year old pitcher - who turns 40 in
February - had offers from several other teams who could use the skills and talent that Fisher has earned in
his 20 years of playing softball. Even though he was flattered by some of the requests, Fisher took many
things into consideration when he made the decision to return to SKS.
"For one, location is always important, but not required," Fisher added. "Being close to home makes things
easier on family and work life. Second, I have grown to enjoy my teammates on Street Kids as friends and I
enjoy playing ball with them. Finally, when you have an owner like TJ who loves this team and everyone on it
so much, it shows me that he truly cares about the things he says and writes about. To me, that shows he has
integrity. And that goes along way in my book."
Fisher made his decision over the weekend after speaking with current teammates, talking with family and
reading about the introduction of new SKS player Kalei Enterline.
"Bringing in Kalei - who was my favorite player on
the Cousins Roofing team last year - shows me this
team is committed to winning," he concluded.
Over the past month, several rumors have circulated
that Fisher as well as three to four other SKS
players had already committed to DeHarts Rentals
softball team. But manager TJ Jorgensen never
veered off his goal to bring back the core of the
team for 2009.
"By November, the message boards are filled with rumors," said Jorgensen. "And even with all the rumors -
some of which may have even been close to true - I still refused to give up on Lanny and some of the others.
I told (assistant manager) JR Shapiro that no matter what I heard, I was going to sit down with Lanny and
some of the other guys and pitch my 2009 plan to them and hope for the best. With our addition of Kalei,
along with bringing back one of the best inside-the-park hitters that has ever played in this area in Fisher, I
think it will cause a domino effect with other 'free agents' on the team and those other players who had Street
Kids in their considerations for next year."
Jorgensen stated that the team is far from done building the team for 2009, saying that there are still two
positions he would like to fill before December, but did not go into details.
This Saturday, Fisher will attend the annual Street Kids/Suburban post season awards banquet in South
Bend, where he is a finalist for several awards, including the Starcraft Bus Most Valuable Player honor.
