Wiscosin All-Stars Baseball

Testimonials

Lou Presutti, Beau Burgert, Joe Persutti

Brian, Michelle and Beau,

Congratulations on your 3rd place finish in Cooperstown. That's quite the achievement. Based on the tryouts, I didn't think that team had it in them. But as we all know about the Cooperstown teams, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. You all did a great job in preparing the boys throughout the summer.

We had fun following the All-Stars via the web throughout the week. I had to keep calling my Dad from vacation, just to keep him updated.

Again, congrats on a great season. Hope your trip home is a safe one.

Sincerely,

Tom Biesinger

Michelle,

No one should have to go thru a situation like yours alone, especially being so far from home. I wish we could have done more for you and Brian and I hope he will have a speedy recovery. Our families had a terrific time in Cooperstown and we appreciate you allowing us to have the special house across the fields, this really worked out great. I do wish the events prior to traveling to Cooperstown did not happen, however we cannot change that and I apologize for the inconvenience this caused during the week. Thank you Michelle and Brian for all your efforts to provide 12 year old baseball players the once in a lifetime opportunity to play in Cooperstown. Being a coach myself, I realize all the work and time that is involved that goes unnoticed.

John Nejedlo

Hi Michelle,

I am not able to come to camp today. I am in Atlanta. I'm not sure if Blaine will be there or not. He is with Nick. I just want to say "Thank You" for a once in a lifetime opportunity. I feel that I have made a life-long friend with you. You are one special lady. I hope we can get together sometime and have those drinks that we were unable to have while in Cooperstown. Hope Coach is doing better. And remember, friends help friends when in need. So I am grateful that I could be there for you when needed. Who knows, someday you may need to return the favor. Have a good day today. Say "Hi" to everyone for me.

Tami

Hi Michelle,

Hope all is well with you. Ben and I would like to thank you and Brian for all your hard work and time. We really had a great time in Cooperstown - it surpassed our expectation and then some. Alex is still flying high from the experience and he as well as Ben and I are grateful to you, Brian, Beau and coach Roberts for the opportunity to be a part of it.

Sincerely,

Carrie Hintze

Dear Mr. Burgert,

You are the most honorable man I've ever met. I say this because you are the best coach I've ever had. You were always honest and knew what you were talking about. You told us what was going to happen and how to be prepared, and you made us a team. I loved playing for you.

I congratulate your wife and other contributors on really giving more than you might ever understand. Still four years removed from playing in Cooperstown I have memories and feelings that changed my life. God Bless anyone ever involved in this!

Sincerely,

Thank you,

Nick Winch (team of 2003, 53 for 53)

Dear Mr. Burgert,

I just wanted to tell you thanks for the tryout/camp you had on the weekend. I learned many new things that I didn't know before. I learned things such as how to line my knuckles up when I was batting and that would give me more power swinging the bat. And sure enough I lined my knuckles up and I hit a homerun in batting practice. I also learned how to throw down to second with the correct feet movement. Lastly, I really enjoyed the pitching lesson that the 2 coaches gave because I learned how to pick somebody off without getting called for a balk. I really enjoyed your assistant coaches. They really had a lot of knowledge of baseball Also, if I am selected for this I will give 110% every practice and game. If this letter gets to you before you make your decision I wish you luck on picking your team.

Sincerely,

Eric Gremonprez

Dear Brian and Michelle,

Wow.

We can't believe how quickly this has all happened. Seems like it was just yesterday that Tyler, Pete and I traveled down to Oshkosh for the tryout. Seems like just yesterday that we listened and talked to the Zieses about what an absolutely wonderful time they had in Cooperstown and how this was an opportunity we needed to seize for Tyler. We really had no idea what chances he had of making this team....we feel he was so fortunate to have taken this once in a lifetime ride.

The tryouts were incredible....intense....maybe more so for the adults than the kids. But, make the team or not, the 2 day experience was well worth the cost. We did our best to prepare Tyler for the let down of not making the team. You know....you have coached long enough to know how important that is. There were a lot of talented kids. We would not have wanted the task of selecting the team....been there, done that....making cuts is never fun. Most people do not realize the coach's agony in this process.

You cannot imagine the anxiety that we observed in our Tyler over the 3 days he waited for your letter to tell him whether or not he would be taking the trip to Cooperstown. He'd had a passion for baseball since we was a year old and had looked forward to this since he'd learned of Chet's opportunity last year. Now the tryout was done and this waiting was just about killing him. I will never forget that day....the ride home from school....his incessant chatter about the letter....the mounting excitement as we turned each corner that brought us closer and closer to the mailbox....his plan for where and how he was going to open it....how he grabbed the letter from the mailbox and hollered in the garage to Pete that the letter had arrived....how quickly he tore up the stairs to read it by himself on his bed....and returned as quickly to jump into my arms in delight!! He was ecstatic! He was going to Cooperstown!!

The practices were a huge time commitment. We always looked forward to them and both Pete and Tyler learned a lot. I've shared with you before how thrilled Pete was to have the opportunity to be part of the coaching staff. He was truly in his element! There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that I wanted this for him too. He took his responsibilities very seriously and had a ball. Brian, he thinks you are a saint....staying in that bunkhouse with the kids every year! We are both so glad he was on board with you. Thank you for asking!!

Michelle, you put a lot of time into this. The planning, the houses, the apparel, the fundraising, the phone calls, the laundry, the paperwork, the questions and complaints, and the list goes on and on. On top of that you still worked, fed your family and ran a household. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. THANK YOU for everything you did to pull this off. It could not happen without you behind the scenes. (Thanks for the ticket at the Hall of Fame, too!)

Our house was fine and things worked out very well sharing the house with the Dorns. You may want to add this house to your list....the only downfall was no clothes dryer, but the owner did make sure we always had clean towels.

Cooperstown was great. I couldn't wait for the games to begin. They were so much fun. It was awesome watching the kids play. I thought the families were very supportive of each other. My dad had a wonderful time. I'm so glad he was there to see Tyler play. It's all he's been talking about. And those golf carts....they were a God send in getting him from field to field.

Brian, you did a great job of preparing the kids and orchestrating the whole Cooperstown experience. We are impressed by your commitment, work ethic, and the attention to detail we observed as you prepared them for the challenges they would face in New York. Just think about the transition they had to make playing Little League and "real baseball" alternately all summer long. We know they made mistakes, missed a few signs but overall, we thought they did a great job. All the preparation paid off. Well done! What an opportunity, what a rush, what a memory for all of us!!

Thanks for the ride, Brian and Michelle! The Jacobsons had a blast!

Yours in baseball,

Pete, Donna Tyler

Coach Brian, Michelle, Coach Beau and Coach Mike,

Now that things have slightly calmed down here, I just wanted to let you know how much this summer meant to myself and my family. You four have given Matt an opportunity that I could never have dreamed of, I have been able to teach him many things in life such as trusting his faith in God, family, friends, education and the on going job of trying to teach him the best way to become a young man. Also things I know about such as hunting and fishing, a passion for my favorite pastime in snowmobiling and he helps me with my small engine shop n busy times.

What you gave him was unbelievable valuable time and attention in a game he loves to play. I couldn't even begin to teach him what you were so willing to give him and the whole team. Your knowledge of the game and ability to teach and coach that type of play is something I could never give Matt. Your commitment to all the kids you have coached throughout the years is something special. Brian and Michelle, the time and money you spend to do this without a son playing was a great gift. Beau, you are a great kid and made the team have fun and we enjoyed spending time with you. Mike, the time you gave up with your son to be with mine is something I don't know that I could have done.

I don't know if anyone told you that on Saturday 7/30 my Grandmother, Matt's Great Grandmother passed away. At the funeral my mother told us she was going to stay home and asked Matt to hit her a home run. It broke her heart that she couldn't come to Cooperstown. I have to be honest and tell you that I pulled and cheered for the whole team all week but when Matt cranked the first one over all I could think about was him and his glory. I was a puddle when he looked over from the dugout with a thumbs up and said what do you think granny will think of that. When Matt called her after the game I could hear her from ten feet away.

This is a story no one could script and I wanted to tell you that because it's a special memory for me and I hope it's a partial payback for the things you did for us.

Once more Thank You and we look forward to seeing you in the future.

Dan, Sue, Matt and Emily

99New London, WI)

Dear Baseball Parent,

It is not too often that I write with accolades, but today is different. Over the past 40+ years I have been involved in thousands of baseball games as a player, coach, fan and parent and when I see something good I am compelled to pass it on. This year my son Nolan, 12, was fortunate to tryout and make the Wisconsin All-Stars, who have participated for the past 9 years at Cooperstown Dreams Park. They practiced at least twice a week in Oshkosh beginning in May and participated in Cooperstown, NY in early August under the tutelage of Coach Brian Burgert. Brian and Coach Roberts deserve the highest of praise! Neither of them had a son on the team as a player, they just coached. Sometimes they were tough when they had to be, they certainly knew their stuff, they were compassionate and truly cared about the development of the kids as players and young men.

There are many other teams from Wisconsin that have gone to New York from southeastern Wisconsin and I am sure there are many teams that will consider it for next year. The best coach, the best teacher and the person who will help your son reach his fullest potential is in Oshkosh! Few are fortunate to have the opportunity to play for him. At the very least I strongly encourage you to have your son tryout for the Wisconsin All-Stars in late April. You will not be sorry!

Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Todd Peterson

(Milwaukee, WI)

Brian and Michelle,

We wanted to drop you this note to extend our gratitude for including us in the opportunity of experiencing Cooperstown Dreams Park. We would also like to acknowledge the amount of time, energy and hard work it took to bring this trip together for everyone.

Thank you for giving so much of yourselves for our kids.

Sincerely,

Christie & Joe Demler

(Oshkosh)

Brian & Michelle---

Please know that many people appreciate what you do for boys and baseball. We indeed are two of those people. Thank you for doing what you do!

Ken and Phyllis Morrison

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Burgert

For a class project we have to write a letter to someone who we admire. I have chosen to write to you, because of what you guys have done for me.

Thank you for giving me and the rest of my teammates your time to turn us into better baseball players, better people and for giving us the opportunity of a life time to play out in Cooperstown. I really appreciated it. I not only admire you both as people and as coaches, but also as an inspiration in my life. GOOD LUCK in the upcoming years out in Cooperstown. I had so much fun out there last year and would really like to go again next year. I am also interested in going to practices to work with next years team, because I had a lot of fun coming back to scrimmage last years team Please call me or send me a letter for next years try-outs. I would appreciate it. Beau GOOD LUCK!!!!! next year and give it your all.

Thank you for making my dreams come true!

Sincerely,

Glen Meyerhoffer

(Kaukauna)

Dear Coach,

I can't believe it's already been a week since we played our last game. I just wanted to thank you for giving me the chance to play out in Cooperstown. It was awesome. I learned a lot over the summer and I think it's made me a better player. I wish I had hit better out there but I learned from that too. I really enjoyed playing for you and with the guys. I start football in week, but I'll be hitting and throwing until it gets too cold and I can't wait until next baseball season. Thanks again, you're a great coach!

#9 Jesse Wiley

(Clintonville)

Coach Burgert & Mrs. Burgert,

I would just like to thank you for a wonderful summer of baseball. It was a great learning experience for me. The trip to Cooperstown Dreams Park was amazing. It was something I will never forget. It was everything you said it would be.

Thanks again.

Trey Demler

(Oshkosh)

Thank you for the many hours spent in developing a young man's experience a great one! Your dedication to the summer of 2004 was greatly appreciated!

The Wilz family

(Neenah)

Dear Coach Burgert,

I just wanted to say thanks for the time and effort that you put into this team. You taught us how to be a team player and lots of other life lessons. I have memories that will last a life time after being out in Cooperstown. You also taught us how to be appreciative of our parents and all that they do for us. I would really enjoy getting the team back together for a couple of tournaments. Thanks again for all that you taught me this summer. I hope to see you again soon.

Your friend----

Marc Dahlin

(Verona)

Dear Coach Burgert

Thanks for a great week of Wisconsin All-Star baseball in Cooperstown!!!

We had a ball!!!!! We'll never forget it!

Kyle Clark, Alex Vasquez, Andy Heller

(Kenosha)

Dear Coach Burgert and the Burgert family-----

We would like to thank you once again for all that you did in making our trip and baseball opportunity in Cooperstown an experience we will never forget. We appreciate your efforts and would like to share with all of you the enclosed pictures of some memorable moments. We hope that we will stay in touch!

Your baseball friends,

Deb and Tom Heller

(Kenosha)

Brian--

Thank you for coaching the All-Stars team. Thanks to Michelle for all of the behind the scene "stuff" she does!

New York (Cooperstown)

Bust!!!!

1999 Wisconsin All-Stars

Dear Brian and Michelle

I don't know how to begin to thank you for the WONDERFUL experience you gave our whole family!!! Words can't even begin to express our appreciation for all of your time, patience, training, dedication & thoughtfulness that you have put into this program. This has been an experience that we will never forget & will cherish forever. This wasn't just a chance of a life time for Jeremie, you made it into a family experience, which is what life is all about. We have developed some wonderful friendships and will miss this time we had together. And every time I think of Cooperstown, I will think of you both and your unselfishness for us and this wonderful program.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Keith & Jane Schwartz

(Ixonia)

Dear Coach,

Thank you for choosing me to be on your Wisconsin All-Stars team which allowed me to play in Cooperstown. I had a really great time and learned a lot. Thanks for all that you did.

Michael Goltz

(Neenah)

Dear Coach Burgert

I would like to express on behalf of myself, my husband and our son Kurtis, what a positive experience we thought your tryouts were. We were impressed with the organization and the extent to which the testing was done. Everyone seemed to take a real interest in working with the kids. Our thanks to you, your wife and your coaching staff.

There was undoubtedly a lot f talented, young ball players there and I am sure that the team you have selected will be competitive. We wish you and your team the best. Have a fun season and knock their socks off in Cooperstown!

Sincerely,

Brenda Larson

Coach Burgert

I WISH TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME YOU PUT INTO PRACTICE AND BASEBALL GAMES. I LEARNED A LOT.

Chad Torn

(Germantown)

Dear Coach Brian......

We would like to express our great appreciation for the excellent job you did with the baseball team. It was a great experience and it wouldn't have ever happened without all the time, effort and experience you put into it. We would also like to thank Michelle, Brandon and of course Beau, for all the time and effort they also put in to help support the team. This was a great opportunity you offer for the youth. We met a lot of nice people and we will have a life time of memories. It is still unbelievable that they came home Champions for week #8!!!!

Thanks again

Tim, Nancy, Bryan & Chad Pierce
(Fond du Lac)

Dear Coach

Thanks for all of the time spent with us.

We had an awesome time. We learned

a lot this summer. Thanks again

DJ LeMahieu

(Detroit)

Brian and Michelle---

Just wanted to take a moment to congratulate you and the "TEAM" for winning the Championship in Cooperstown. We heard about it today. Everyone must be soooooo excited. We are excited for you too. Wish we could have seen all of your faces when you won the last game. We send our congrats out to everyone. Your picnic this year will be most memorable. Are you planning on going back for the final showdown? Let us know your plans. We'd love to hear from you.

Love to all,

The Kaminske's

(Waupaca)

Brian and Michelle

We were so happy to hear that you did so well in Cooperstown. You should be really proud of your accomplishments! Good things do happen to GOOD people! We hope both trips were safe for everyone. Our thoughts and prayers were with all of you. Please say hi to everyone.

Marilyn, Gary & Christopher Brockman

(Freedom)

Dear Brian and Michelle ...

We just wanted to thank you one more time for all that you have dome for Michael and our family.

We sincerely appreciate all of the time and effort you have put in providing us this awesome experience. Your dedication to this team has been unbelievable and words don't express how grateful we are. Thank you for being the means for which dreams do come true at the Dreams Park.

Sincerely....

Gary, Audrey, Michael and Kari Matuszak

(Seymour)

Coach,

Thanks for being an awesome coach and teaching me how to play better baseball. Being on the Wisconsin All-Stars team and traveling to Cooperstown was the best experience in my life so far. I definitely learned something being on your team. thanks!!!!!

Thanks

Bryan Clark

(Oshkosh)

Coach Burgert,

I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to go to Cooperstown last year. It was truly a dream of a lifetime for both my family and I. It is somethig we will never forget.

I was wondering if you needed any assistance at practices for this year's tea. You mentioned that is anyone was ever interested in assistant coaching they should contact yourself.

I was wondering if I could helpassist coach this year's team in Cooperstown. It would be a great honor to help the team. I would be able to share my experience from last year with this year's team.

Please contact myself and let me know if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Wisconsin All-Stars

#14 - Eric King

Coach Burgert,

I would just like to let you know how glad I am to be playing baseball for you this year. I also would really like to thank you for trusting my ability to play even if you didn't get to see my best at the tryouts because of my broken thumb. My thumb is feeling much better now and I will give you my best effort. Thank yu again for this chance.

Chris Roberts

(Oshkosh)

Dear Coach Burgert,

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to play in Cooperstown, New York. I will never have more fun anywhere else than I did there.

Practice was hard, but it all paid off in the end. Thanks for teaching me not only about baseball, but about life. We had a successful year, finishing 5th, with an 8-2 record, I couldn't be happier. I know we were the best team in the park, but sometimes things don't go our way. Also I'd like to thank you for the bat, I already have it mounted on my bedroom wall. I hope to see you at the clinic and the tryouts next year.

Thanks coach,

Jordan Jess

(Ripon)

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