Another Chapter Ends

 All good things must come to an end. If you’re lucky, you can choose your own ending. I chose my exit time when I left my classroom behind and now I’m choosing my time to exit the field. And that time is now.

Part of life is leaving it behind, and endings are always bittersweet. I will undoubtedly miss working with my friends and players. I have yet to address the nagging worry that with nothing to do that is exactly what I will get done. I’ll save the “inside softball” thinking about the decision and its timing for the end if you’re interested, but, if you know me at all, you know I espouse multiple causation and reject simplistic answers in favor of simply complicated. So it will not be a short section.

What I want to share today is simply a reflection on another aspect of my life where I have been blessed beyond what I deserve. I’ve detailed elsewhere the accidental/serendipitous path I took to becoming a coach, a path I’ve traveled for 35 years now, a path that has afforded me true, lifelong friendships, joy and purpose. 

And hope for the future of my community and nation. I’ve been touched by so many remarkable young women, been privileged to share a segment of their lives that reinforces my faith in humanity and the future. No matter what was happening in the world around me, I always had “my girls.” As politically incorrect as it may be, they will always be “my girls” no matter how successful and accomplished they have, or will, become.

Thank you ladies (and your parents), for allowing me to share with you this small part of your life journey. I love you all.

Why now? 

• Although not identical, the reasoning behind my departure from a regular classroom is parallel to my decision to give up my own classroom. (Click here to read that analogous piece.) 

• 2020 – For better and (maybe) worse, my style, such as it is, was up close and personal. I like to think my most effective coaching (softball and otherwise) came on the bus rides and conversations from the games. My girls tolerated sharing a seat as we talked about their game that day, and anything else that surfaced. Obviously, 2020 precluded that; we didn’t TAKE even a single bus. Close-in conversations were rare to non-existent. (I would be remiss if I didn’t offer a special note of thanks to my last squad for their compliance with masking; I took their care and concern personally and appreciated it accordingly.) While the thought of retiring had been percolating for some time, 2020 was certainly a disincentive to continuing.

• I was blessed to have been befriended by Tim Cerutti and to spend five years working together. Being in the same (age) cohort and sharing a philosophy of life and temperament made the relationship special. His death this spring created an unfillable void. Tim was actually the third coach/friend/mentor to die during my career, but I’m following his (and our shared) mantra of “Choose Happy” – my Rule #1: “You don’t get a discount on the Happy Meal just because you’re not.” But it just wasn’t as much fun without him. That was no surprise.

• Thanks to the leadership of our head coach, Bryan Gibson, and the commitment of many community leaders, Webster has built a softball program that expanded to 3 full teams even as other communities were and are struggling to field even a JV team. 2020 also shelved the WGBSL rec league this spring and the “Feeder” team that funneled girls into the program. I feel safe in predicting we won’t have sufficient numbers for three teams next year (I’d love to be wrong about that). We’ve recently added some new, young, female coaches who may represent the future of the program. It’s time for me to get out of the way and not block their development and connection with the program.

• My wife and I have things we want to do and places we want to go that are best done either during the Fall softball season or the Summer pre-season. Not that we didn’t know it before, but 2020 has reinforced doing what you can while you are still physically able. 

• We’ve been making a conscious effort to de-junk, even before the inspiration of the COVID-quarantine. I’ll be passing along most of my coaching wardrobe, thus freeing up significant closet/storage space, because Bryan Gibson and WG always reinforced the belief that looking good was part of good performance). 

• But mostly I’m tired, struggling to summon the energy the prepare for games and practices. To be clear, it was never the kids, never the parents, never the administration, never the varsity or JV coaching staff that wore me out; on the contrary, it was those groups that energized me to continue as long as I did. In many ways this was the longest short season, but even last year Tim and I both were forced to admit that our energies were not always sufficient to meet the demands to do the job in a way that would live up to our standards. As those who know me can attest, modesty is not a dominant quality for me. I know what I can bring to the party on any given day. While I might fool some people with my 80%, it’s not good enough, not good enough for me to be satisfied and continue. Even if I still have (or ever had) an “A Game,” I can’t always bring it. Time to move aside.

I may not have been all that mindful when I started the job, but the least I can do is make a mindful decision about when it’s time to go. So it’s time to say good-bye, and thank you, thank you for 35 years and close to 50 different teams in two school districts, Hancock Place and Webster Groves.

Apropos of nothing, as I typed this I realized that every school with which I have been regularly associated had at least two names.

#Blessed.

                                                          -30-

Changes for 2020

 It should come as no surprise that the 2020 season will look different from past seasons, even beyond the normal uniqueness, because, well, there is NOTHING normal about 2020. I have decided to (temporarily?) abandon the blog in favor of a Facebook identity that will, in theory, allow us to livestream our games to make up for the restrictions on spectators. As long as people have to go that site, why not post the game results and pictures there, as well? There may, in fact, be a good answer to that question, but like everything about 2020, no one will know right away exactly what that is. 

So please visit/follow us on Facebook (Link Here). I will be sure to post changes to this site, as well, when things change. And we know they will change, because, well.... 2020

Finish Strong: WG 14, Ft. Zumwalt West 4

“I’ve been workin’ on a rewrite, that’s right, gonna change the ending….”

As we trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the fourth inning against a strong opponent, I was composing my lead and headline, thinking about T.S. Eliot’s “This is how the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper.” But the JV Black Statesmen did their own rewrite and redefinition of the Big Bang Theory, forcing me to do a rewrite as they changed the ending, racing past the Jaguars of Ft. Zumwalt West with an 8-run answer, adding 5 more in the fifth inning and sending our guests hobbling home, reeling with the mercy-rule clincher in the sixth.

Ten games ago, JV Black’s record stood at 7-7. The girls closed their season with a 16-8, mark, winning 9 of their last 10. This was truly another team win and featured contributions from 15 of the 16 players (including three from our Orange squad) dressed for the contest (and that player, Faith Lowry, was ready to go in the circle if needed). 

As Coach Cerutti headed to the bench in the bottom of the fourth he was working on his pep talk. He decided it wasn’t needed. He was right. This team doesn’t quit, not on a game, not on each other. The end-of-season celebration, moved from Serendipity to Fro-Yo, was sweet, joyous, and well deserved. In the next couple days I’ll post a season-ending wrap up, but, for now, enjoy the box score and the memory of this come-from-behind season-ending victory over a good FZW squad.

Go, go, get ‘em…. They went and got ‘em.

Soggy Weather, Crisp Game. WG 7, NW 3

Raindrops kept fallin’ on our heads, they kept fallin’…. Much to our surprise, it was “Game On!” And so the girls played on. As Coach Cerutti described it, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team do a better job of making the weather irrelevant.” When the umpires called the game (official, 4 2/3 innings) because the playing conditions had moved from sloppy to something between unplayable and dangerous, we had tamed the dangerous Northwest Lions, 7-3. 

If you can play “crisp” ball in a swamp, well, that’s what we did. No errors, only two walks by Olivia Leaver (to the last two batters of the game before the Umps called the whole thing off) who notched her fourteenth win as Nic Rikand (2 RBI) prepared to come in. Taylor Smith backed that pitching with some great work at short and Caitlyn Boyle sped past her own (JV) stolen base record, set last year, with three steals to put her at 42 with one game left to play.

It is worth mentioning, I think, as our penultimate game put us at 15-8 for the season, that not that long ago our record stood at 7-7. The girls have done a great job of improving as individuals and as a team. Couldn’t be prouder of them and I will admit they exceeded my expectations. 

No school or practice tomorrow. We close out our season (although some will serve as a “practice squad” to help the varsity prepare for districts) Monday against what we expect to be a very good Ft. Zumwalt West squad. But win, lose, or draw, we will celebrate our success at Serendipity following the game. Apologies (sorry, not sorry) if I spoil their dinner appetites. Oh, and thanks to all those who cheered us on in the rain today. Your support did not go unnoticed.

Arghhh! Sinking the Pirates, 23-0

Teddy Roosevelt counseled speaking softly and carrying a big stick. We’ve been swinging some big sticks lately.

When you look at the season-ending stats at the banquet, remember there were three (3!) games in which we scored 20 runs. Mismatches tend to have inflationary tendencies. There are many fewer of those at the next level, whatever level that may be; that lofty batting average cannot be expected to translate, and our varsity coaches know that. They’re looking for skill sets.

Fortunately, our players have been working hard to develop various skill sets, which are helping them to create some of these mismatches. 

Pattonville was not nearly as bad a team as the score makes it appear. Their first pitcher generally threw stikes, walking very few until her arm started to fall off. But we essentially crushed everything she threw. Our soft hitters placed the ball perfectly (Ally Marshall scored her first extra-base hit as the fielders headed one direction and the ball, well, it in another) and our bigger hitters crushed four (4!) homeruns, including 2 grand slams (Morgan Lawrence hit two, Wreck-It Rekart added her first, and Nic Rikand padded her cushion in the circle). Playing on what was essentially a baseball or slow-pitch softball field with no interior fence was to our batters’ advantage, as any ball past the outfield was a HR threat.

Nic came within a couple outs of a 3-inning no hitter as she dominated in the circle with 4 Ks and no walks to earn her first win to complement her four saves. Our defense made the plays we needed and the Pirates’ coach thought stealing second base down 20-0 was a good strategy. “Oh no,” said Marko. We deliberately ended the last two innings on Code Blue or we might still be batting. (jk, no lights that I noticed.)

We’ll try to tune up our swings tomorrow for a Northwest team that is better than it showed Saturday (not that the Lions played badly, we just played so well it seemed that way). Two more games to close out our season, at home on Thursday and Monday. If you haven’t had a chance to see how much the girls have improved since that first Saturday scrimmage, don’t miss your chance.

Nicola Rikand was our POG for her 1-hitter and Homerun.

Friday took advantage of the Pirate OFs understandably playing deep after Morgan Lawrence's 2 homers, and hustled a short fly ball in front of them into a double.

Despite not taking up slapping until this year, sophomore Ally Marshall sports a batting average around .500.

As a pitcher, Olivia Leaver usually gets a courtesy runner or is the flex, but  scored her first run of the season after a single in the long, long, long second inning.

Not sure about the strategy of stealing down by 20 runs, but we weren't napping. Marko to Ozzie for the quick tag and the second out.

Statesmen Corral Longhorns, 20-2

The last time we faced Parkway West’s leftovers (their program struggles to field a JV team), their end of the bench varsity players, they pitched (and batted) a starting varsity player (although she wasn’t their regular pitcher – no problem with that – she was one of their top hitters); we won 4-3 in the abbreviated game. We weren’t sure what to expect today.

A lineout double play abruptly ended our 3-run first inning and the Longhorns answered with two of their own, despite having their leadoff batter thrown by Marko paired with a quick tag by Taylor (Ozzie) Smith. We ended our second inning with a “Code Blue” (our runner leaves early to cede an out) after a 17-run onslaught featuring walks, errors and hard hit balls as we adjusted to the s-l-o-w pitching. Although Parkway West was the home team (as the game was originally scheduled at their field), they lined up after they failed to score in the bottom of the second, leaving us little to do except shake hands. 

Not much else to say about this game, except our POGs were Morgan Lawrence with two doubles and Jilly Sanders with two well struck balls as she came in for Nic Rikand, who will make her first start in the circle tomorrow against Patonville’s Pirates. Arghhh! Players who did not start today’s game will be in the lineup to start tomorrow. (Note the game is NOT, repeat, NOT, at the high school, but at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Center. Bus leaves at 3 p.m.) Our final two home games are Thursday and Monday against Northwest and Ft. Zumalt West, respectively.

Two bonus pix from the weekend tournament.

Fox Tourney: Close, but no Cigar, Second Place

Apologies for the delay in reporting on the Fox Tournament. Yesterday was a long day plus I feared I had misplaced my scorecards. Fortunately, I found them today (where I thought I had previously looked) and all is well.

We switched over from the Hancock Tournament, which we had won the last five years, to Fox, where we expected better competition, because it’s not just about winning. Parents and fans who drove down to Arnold got their $5 worth, I think, with three exciting, competitive games and a second place trophy.

When you’re playing for plastic in the final game of the day, the experience was worth the effort. We continued our tradition of each player getting at least one full game; in a way I miss the “bat the lineup option” that Hancock’s tourney featured, but this was more traditional softball.

Game 1: Webster 9, Fox 6

We believed that Fox was better than the 20-5 drubbing we handed them a week or so ago, and we were right. Nevertheless, our “speed kills” top of the lineup put up 4 and 3 runs, respectively, in the first two innings. The Warriors came back with 4 of their own in the top of the second, but we answered quickly and the game settled in, staying at 7-4 until the opponents added a pair in the top of the 6^th. We countered with 2 of our own and Nic Rikand closed the door to save Olivia Leaver’s eleventh win of the season.

Game 2: Webster 11, Northwest-CH 1

The Lions of Northwest Cedar Hill prowled over to our field, having defeated Jefferson R-7 to swipe right toward the championship. They will be visiting us again this week as they pay a visit to Plymouth Field on Thursday. Theirs is a competitive program that always presents us with a challenging game. Unfortunately, we tamed them with arguably our best game of the year, featuring strong pitching (Olivia Leaver notched win #12 and Nicola Rikand finished with 2 dominant innings of relief), stellar defense, including two spectacular plays by Taylor (Ozzie) Smith in the hole, a balanced offense featuring hits from every spot in the order and monster shot HR w-a-a-a-y over the fence in left center by Marko, which sealed the deal and put an end to the six-inning contest.

I don’t think Northwest expected us to be that good and left impressed. Maybe some of that intimidation will carry over on Thursday, although maybe they’ll be psyched up and bring their best. The thing is, they did not play badly at all; we just beat them in every aspect of the game on this day.

Game 3: Summit 13, Webster 4

Don’t let the score fool you, this was another close, competitive game that slipped away on some bad luck (and maybe a missed call) in the last inning. In retrospect, perhaps I should have taken visitors when we won the toss. Scoring first is an advantage, and one we experience often with the Boyle-Marshall speed tag team. They struck again in this game, but merely closed a 3-run deficit to one. We might have more but had to settle for two sacrifice flies on good OF plays by the Falcons.

We trailed by only 2 runs, 6-4, as we headed into the seventh inning, with hopes of winning the rubber match of our 3-game series. Nicola Rikand was on fire in relief of Olivia, but a swinging bunt and a questionable call on a close throw at third on a runner trying to advance and the momentum noticeably shifted. By the time the smoke cleared, Summit (who had improved their team with a strong player not available to them earlier in the season due to injury) had added on 7 runs and the game ended quietly. Nevertheless, the coaching staff and the girls had lots to feel good about. We played 20 innings of high energy, quality softball and provided players and fans an fun morning and afternoon. We couldn’t prouder of how our girls are growing as players and a team. Thanks to our traveling cheering section. The girls and coaches really appreciate the support.

We’re heading into the Final Four with a 12-8 record. Monday we have the second (late start and possibly abbreviated) game against the Parkway West “JV” (will include some end of the bench varsity players); we travel Tuesday to Pattonville (not exactly, though – it’s not at the school but the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex. We finish with two home games, Northwest CH again on Thursday and then a challenge from Fort Zumwalt West on Monday the 14^th. Please mark your calendars – we will continue our tradition of celebrating our season at Serendipity after the game (Coach’s treat). One final treat – a few pix from the tourney, courtesy of the players themselves.

Caitlyn Boyle padded her stolen base total with 10 more on Saturday.

Freshman Morgan Lawrence added four to her team lead in RBI.

Sophomore Taylor Smith leads a solid IF defense.

Olivia Leaver picked up her eleventh and twelfth wins, helping herself by fielding her position well in the circle.

Maci Rekart consistently provides solid defense at first base.

Nicola Rikand has been invaluable in closing out games in relief of Olivia. The tandem makes for a solid combination.