Biggest fan!
Today is Tom's (my father) 77th birthday! As I sit here and reflect on his life and the 76 birthdays he had here on earth, I cannot help but have a heavy heart. I also received word that my high school softball coach passed away this morning, after fighting 12 years of Parkinson's. My dad was always involved in my development as a player and a pitcher. He was my biggest fan and even more, he was my biggest believer. My dad would work with his children on their talents early on and he would push us to always get better. I have many stories to share about the experiences that he and I had in my specific softball journey so I will share a few here.
3rd grade: THis was the time that I started to fast pitch. My dad would take me in the back yard and catch for me more than I really wanted to. He must have seen the potential in me because there were many times that I just rather stay inside on the couch. He went out and got me private lessons with Jim Firos and anyone else that would be there. He dragged me across the state to softball camps and was always telling me I could be a great pitcher.
Middle School: My dad actually went and transfered his membership from our local Catholic church to St. Therese in Lansing just so his kids could be a part of the Catholic schools sport program. This is where I was exposed to more kids (than just DeWitt) in softball. I was able to practice and fine tune my pitching skills and not to mention beat St. Gerard. :)
Travel Ball: My dad coached a DeWitt parks and rec team that consisted of older kids. One tournement in Lansing he had me pitch just a few innings against this one team based out of Holt. He didn't want to seem like he was playing favorites so he pulled me and put in another girl. I was doing well against the older kids and after the game the coach of the other team, Roy Reinert, approached my dad and asked why he didn't leave the first pitcher in. After the converstaion of it being his daughter and younger so he wanted to not seem like he was favoring, Roy asked my dad if I would want to play for his travel team! The Holt Rams and then it morphed into Crown became an opportunity of a lifetime. I played all throughout high school and the end of middle school and I was able to compete with older kids. I gained confidence when I could pitch against great ball players and hang in there and even win. I also was humbled a time or two which only drove me to practice harder and develop that always learning mindset. And my dad was a part of that journey every step of the way. He was the man who opened up those opportunities for me.
High School: This is where I played for Mr. Larry Baird. A legend around the Lansing area, a legend because he knew the game inside and out. He was a hard person to play for but that's only because he drove us to only excel and get better. He taught me my rise ball and taught me how to fight, fight hard for a win. To be gritty and to also always keep learning. My father was always fighting for me and was my biggest cheerleader and it didn't change through my high school years. He kept every newspaper clilpping and was there at every game.
College(s): Wow I played for some great coaches, Bob Every, Mark Settle, and Kim Zainea. They each taught me so much. Dad was there through it all.
Softball became my life and it still has a huge part of my identity even though I do not pitch anymore. The foundation on which I was built was largely based on this sport. My dad was the driver of this. He was the one who brought me the game of softball, saw my potential, fostered that potential, and supported me in every way. Thank you so much dad for being you!