(Civitan) Steve Yang - We couldn't have done it without hometown support

Dr. Steve Yang and Rowan County Little League players react to the win

From the players, coaches and families of the 13 young ladies that put Salisbury, N.C., on the map, we would like to say thank you. Thank you for the many well wishes we received while we were in Oregon via text, phone calls, emails and social media. You guys have no idea how much these messages impacted everyone while we were in Portland.

As one of the players stated, “my phone is blowing up!”

Thank you to all the sponsors and for the monetary donations our team received to help in our fundraising efforts. Thank you to Dennis Davidson and Mike London for the fantastic articles in the Salisbury Post to keep everyone updated on our daily endeavors and the games. Thank you to all the television media that have helped spread the joy that has engulfed our city and community. Thank you to Rick Schermerhorn of Imperial Brown for being a wonderful host. Thank you to Crossroads Tours for providing free shuttle for the players, coaches and families from the airport to Salisbury.

Thank you to everyone that waited for us on Innes Street and at West End Plaza at 11 p.m. when we arrived. Thank you to Downtown Salisbury Inc., all the downtown businesses, the firefighters, law enforcement and the 18 drivers who made the parade a huge success.

Thank you to Mayor Paul Woodson, Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Blackwell, Councilwoman Karen Alexander, Councilman Brian Miller, County Commission Chairman Greg Edds, Superintendent Dr. Lynn Moody, Howard Platt, Terry Osborne, Neal Wilkinson and everyone else for taking time out of their busy day to join us in the celebration at the Community Park last Saturday.

Thank you to all the businesses for the gifts, and thank you Food Lion for the cake and cupcakes at the park. Thank you to all the restaurants that have graciously volunteered to feed the players and other businesses that have offered complimentary services for these girls.

Thank you to Jennifer Myers for organizing everything for our team upon our return. Thank you to all the people in the past several days that have told our girls, coaches and families congratulations. Thank you to league President Dan Wales for all his support and traveling with us to Washington, N.C., Warner Robins, Ga, Portland, Ore. and flying back for the celebration from Williamsport, Pa.

Last but not least, thank you to Jeff Link and Jeff Bernhardt for starting the softball program at Rowan Little League seven years ago I am sure I have omitted some very important names and I apologize. Our team has been invited to many different events for recognition — high school football games, Kannapolis Intimidators game, Charlotte Knights game, Governor’s Mansion, Charlotte Thanksgiving Parade, grand opening for Dick’s Sporting Goods, combined City Council/County Commission meeting for recognition, Board of Education meeting for recognition, to name a few. I told our girls that they have become rock stars overnight and whatever the community needs from us, we would try our best to accommodate their wishes because we would not have been successful without the support of the community.

On behalf of the Hales, Walton, Morton, Mann, Sanborn, Ennis, Simmerson, Dowling, Spicer, Keller, Wilhelm, Vaughn families and my family, we thank you. Rowan County and Salisbury are World Champions!

Dr. Steve Yang coached the Rowan County Little League Softball Team that won the World Series on Aug. 19 in Portland, Ore.

See more at: http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/08/30/steve-yang-we-couldnt-have-done-it-without-hometown-support/#sthash.0l54dZ5t.dpuf