It all ended so quickly. One minute it looked like the Lancaster Barnstormers were headed to the Atlantic League championship series. The next minute, their season was over and players who had spent the last five months together were heading their separate ways.

"It's a long season and a lot of work and effort is put into reaching a goal," Lancaster manager Butch Hobson said in his office Tuesday.

The 'Stormers skipper was still replaying in his mind moves he should have and should not have made in the 5-4, 10-inning loss to York that eliminated Lancaster from the playoffs on Monday night.

"Not every team gets that opportunity to get to the finals, to have a chance to win the championship," Hobson said, "but we came close."

With the sting of the disappointing defeat still so fresh, it's hard for Hobson to evaluate the season. But overall, it was a good year.

"When I took this job I promised the people in Lancaster we would get to the playoffs and we did that," Hobson said.

It was the first time the Barnstormers made the playoffs or had a winning record since their championship year of 2006.

The Barnstormers were above .500 in both halves of the season — 37-26 in the first half, when they finished first in the Freedom Division and clinched a postseason spot, and 32-30 in the second half.

The key to the successful season was Hobson bringing in good players. The players were so good that more than 10 of them went from the Barnstormers to major league organizations, including pitcher Jerome Williams who made it back to the big leagues with the Angels.

So after four seasons of losing baseball, Lancaster once again became a desired destination for players.

Players liked it so much that when Terry Tiffee and Jeff Bennett, who both played for the Barnstormers at the beginning of the season, were released by their affiliated teams, they chose to come back and end their season with Lancaster.

"They came back because they enjoyed it so much," Lancaster pitcher T.J. Beam said. "If it was a bad environment, they would have just gone home."

Beam said the winning came from the camaraderie in the clubhouse. "It was one of the funnest seasons I've been part of," the reliever said.

"Butch kept the clubhouse relaxed and the guys in this clubhouse were absolutely great. It was a great pleasure playing here. I wish we could have gone farther. We came out on the short end but hopefully they will be back next year."

Beam uses the word "they" because he is going to retire, as is fellow reliever Tim McNab.

Looking at the rest of his roster, Hobson would like to have first baseman Tommy Everidge back. But the likely league MVP will take his time to decide whether he is still going to play.

"He's fan favorite," Hobson said, "and very good in the clubhouse. He's like a big kid."

But another kid may be the deciding factor, as Everidge and his wife are expecting their first child in a couple weeks. So the slugger, who led the league in home runs and a number of other offensive categories, may not be able to afford to come back to the Atlantic League.

Gilberto Mejia, a great defensive second baseman and a sparkplug at the top of the lineup, is expected to return.

Infielder Yaibel Tamayo is likely to come back, according to Hobson, and Iggy Suarez could return as a utility player if he is interested in that role.

Designated hitter Fernando Seguignol will probably retire. He has been offered a job by a Japanese team as an international scout.

Catcher Matt Tupman and reliever Jonah Bayliss would both like to come back, as would starter John Halama if he doesn't get a job in affiliated ball. Hobson also believes Yunior Novoa will be on the staff again next year.

Others on the 2011 roster Hobson has not talked to, or they are unsure of their plans for next year. Some of the players who signed affiliated deals could also return.

Hobson starts looking at next season about a week after he gets home. "I'll call guys in the other independent leagues and see who's going to be available," he said.

He feels the Barnstormers will win in 2012 because they can build on their successful 2011 season.

"I'm happy with what we did this season," Hobson said. "I'm very pleased and I will go home feeling good about that. Would I like to be going to Long Island (to play in the championship series)? You bet.

"It eats at me because we have some really great fans here and they deserve to see a champion. But I feel we're on the right track."

Looking at the Barnstormers stats for 2011, one would have to agree.

bwilson@lnpnews.com