Sharks fans: I just wanted to inform all of you before you found out before the summer started that I will not be returning for a second season on Martha’s Vineyard. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you personally for an amazing summer in 2011. Being a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks inaugural campaign was truly an honor and all of you fans made this team possible. Without all the fans there would be no Martha’s Vineyard Sharks.

It was my full intention to come back to the Sharks for the 2012 season but another opportunity arose that I could not pass up. It was a good opportunity for me and my family, and I needed to do what was in the best interest of both the Sharks and myself. Another catcher needs to experience the amazing hospitality of you fans and all of the wonderful things that Martha’s Vineyard has to offer.

I will, however, be seeing all of you again throughout the summer season as I will be playing for the new Pittsfield team in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Although I will be coming back to the Vineyard in a different uniform, I just want all of you to know that my heart is still with the Sharks. I will always be a member of the first Sharks baseball team, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

You fans are the main reason why I wanted to return and all of you are and will always be special to me. The way you all welcomed me with open arms is something I will never forget and will cherish it all of my life. More importantly, to all of the younger Sharks’ fans on Martha’s Vineyard, I hope I made you guys proud when I played, and I hope I was the person and player that you expected to see every game. I played my heart out for you guys especially every time I took the field.

To all the young ballplayers, I want to leave you all with a message, and my message is this: When you take the field for a game always remember why you are out there. You are out there because you love the game of baseball, and that’s exactly what baseball is, a game. Never treat it as anything more because when that happens, that’s when you stop having fun. No matter how old you get, no matter how far you go in this great game, just never take a single minute for granted on that field. If you aspire to play in the majors one day as I do, go out and take that dream. Don’t be afraid to fail. It’s part of the game and part of life. The only failure you will have in pursuit of your dreams is by not pursuing it at all. Sharks’ fans, thank you again for everything. You have all been so gracious to me and my family. I will see you all this summer. One more thing: please don’t boo me too bad when I come up to hit! God Bless you all.

Anthony Corona (#25 for the Sharks)

C.W. Post College
Brookville, N.Y.