My sixteen-year-old daughter plays fast pitch softball. She started on a recreation league when she was about eight years old, and has played season after season, year after year, until we just didn’t feel like she could get anything more out of the league any longer. There wasn’t an accelerated softball team for the girls in our area, which would mean that we would have to travel to the far reaches of the city for practices. And there would be no camaraderie for the girls who would eventually play in High School together. So my husband decided to start an accelerated softball team that would be able to compete at a higher level and work as teammates with the other girls in the area.
That was four years ago. Having no real knowledge of how to coach, he poured his heart and soul into this team, along with many other parents. Just a bunch of local girls, most who hadn’t played anything more than “rec ball”, but joining together and becoming a team that is now a force to be reckoned with. And these girls have taught him a great deal, as well.
My daughter is the main pitcher and she is one tough cookie. She works so hard and for long hours, but loves her team, as does my husband. Many tournaments later, and quite a few championships under their team belt, we have started a new season once again. Two weekends ago, we drove 5 ½ hours south of our home, and they played eight games in two days. The championship game ended at about 9 o’clock Sunday night (they won!) and we drove that 5 ½ hours back home. I think that I am ready for the new softball season…now if the weather will just warm up….
“I was devastated, obviously. I was very disappointed. There is not much more we can do right now but strategize and try to fight to get softball back into the [Olympic] games.”
~Mike Candrea, University of Arizona Head Softball Coach