Simply the best!

I’ve always loved year-end lists. The best movies, the best stories, the best Ann Coulter statements – they all keep me riveted. That’s why I love this issue of Compete. We are recognizing the best in our community.
For the second time we are honoring an Athlete of the Year: someone who has demonstrated both excellent achievement in sports and a remarkable contribution to our community. Our 2009 applications were difficult to sort through, but our judges came up with five incredible finalists from all over the country; Long Beach, New York, Phoenix and Washington DC are all represented in our AOTY feature. In the end the judges were clear on the winner: Phoenix’s John Deffee. John is not only a coach and player on the Roscoes Toros World Series-winning softball team, he has been a driving force behind one of NAGAAA’s most successful member leagues, the Cactus Cities Softball League. John is looked up to by countless players on his team and in his league, and is a wonderful choice to follow last year’s winner Jeff Kagan in our Athlete of the Year tradition.
In our Communities section, you will find that we have chosen a Team of the Year for each region of the country. This, too, was no easy task, as there are countless groups in each region that have done incredible things this year. Find out more about these teams.
Compete has grown so much in 2009, in large part due to the athletes and fans who continue to support our mission and goals. That’s why we feel it is important to provide recognition (not just in this issue, but every issue). I know the things we have planned for 2010 will keep you reading. You may even find motivation for being named our Athlete of the Year 12 months from now.