I Write as WomanCoach: It Comes From Within

[2 Part Series]

(Editor’s Note: The following is a 2-part series sharing the personal reflection of the author’s life in sport and education. The author is WomanCoach).

Part II. It Comes From Within

How sweet it was!
Opening day for spring high school baseball.
The stadium was filling, hotdogs were grilling.
The taste of America filled the air
As high school spectators across the state awaited the first pitch.

I was the AD on duty
Cruising the grounds in the golf cart
With my 10-year-old son (a major perk in this profession)
Surveilling the grounds, greeting parents,
Checking with faculty working the gates,
Welcoming umpires, providing bottles of water.
It’s not a game until they call it!
Nods of excitement for the season
Shared with coaches and athletes as they hit the dugout.

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The president of the booster club approached.
The principal was delayed with district-level business.
He asked if I would honor them by throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
Honor them, I thought?
My heart swelled. It was hard to swallow.
These senior student-athletes had signed to play with colleges.
Here I was at 50 years old, a woman, asked to throw the first pitch.
They had no idea what they had done.

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The umpire and Mike, the catcher, greeted me at the pitcher’s mound.
Placed the familiar leather sphere into my hand.
The catcher, one of the senior baseball studs heading to college.
Gave me a comforting look and a nod.
“It will be alright,” Mike said.
“I got your back, Coach.”
And walked to home plate to crouch into position.

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The umpire signaled for the first pitch.
It emerged from within.
A practiced move since I was 10.
The wind-up, the stride, and release as the fastball flew from my hand.
With a thud into Mike’s glove.
The crowd roared.
He stood up, jogged out, and shook my hand.
“Who would have known…”, he said in amazement.
One of many wordless, defining moments in my life.

I write as WomanCoach.
For every human being who has a dream.
It comes from within.
Live it. Be it.
Encourage it in others.

Follow the two-part series:

(August 17) Introduction to WomanCoach
(August 19) Runs Like a Boy