On behalf of the Wilmington Sharks entire organization—our front office, game day operations staff, coaches and players---I would like to thank the community of Wilmington for coming out to the Shark Tank this summer and supporting the Sharks like never before.

The 2011 season came to end here in Wilmington in the 2^nd round of the Coastal Plain League Playoffs.  The Sharks lost game three of the best-of-three series to the Edenton Steamer, the #1 seed in the playoffs and #1 ranked team in the Nation.

I'd like to take this time to thank a number of organizations and people who made this summer such a success, including the Mayor's office, for helping to facilitate a great working relationship between the team and the city.

The Sharks won 32 games this season, their most in six years, and came within one of going to the Coastal Plain League Championship Series for the first time since 1998. This team, assembled from local talent here in Wilmington as well as far-flung reaches of the country, came together for some great achievements.

They gave baseball fans everything they could hope for—a summer of competitive and enjoyable baseball capped off with the excitement of an improbably late-season playoff push. And you gave it right back to them. The fans who packed Buck Hardee Field this summer, through rain delays and extra innings, on Two 'Fer Tuesdays and Thirsty Thursdays and all the hot summer days in between, deserve our thanks as an organization. You truly made this summer special through your support and involvement with the team.

And a special thanks also goes out to our corporate sponsors and corporate box patrons. Your active engagement in the team through promotions, discounts and attendance, was one of the main reasons I can feel confident that every fan that came through our gates this summer, whether baseball diehards or casual fans, left having a good time.

Our slogan is “Where Baseball is Fun.” Thanks to the community, fans, sponsors and town officials who made this season a tremendous success from start to finish, I know we had lots of it and will have a lot more next season. Thanks again, looking forward to seeing you at the ballpark in 2012.

Sincerely,

Andrew Aguilar

General Manager/Wilmington Sharks