How many of us are connected to fastpitch because of our fathers? Most I would imagine. For me, it was my father, Harry Flanagan, that first showed me that you could throw a ball underhand as fast as you could overhand. Raising a family with seven children, he didn’t have much time to play himself, at least as an adult when I knew him. But those backyard pitching sessions of catch proved to be a springboard to a lifetime of enjoyment of the game. As I peruse Facebook this morning, it is easy to see that I have plenty of company, players who learned of and about the game of fastpitch from their fathers.
Happy Father’s Day to all of you remembering your fathers today, and of course, to those of you being celebrated as fathers.
Mark Bennett says
Well said. As we all know it is the same for me.
fpw says
Mark, you and your dad, Clyde, certainly come to mind when I think of Father-Son combos in fastpitch. A pitcher with a lifetime catcher in his father? How great is that !
Tim Lyon says
Thanks for sharing Jim. I learned fastpitch with from my father also. He passed away 7 years ago but whenever I am at the field I know he is with me.
Happy fathers day to all the dad’s out there
fpw says
Be sure to read Tim’s story about his father, “A Safe Place”, reprinted at FPW: http://www.fastpitchwest.com/?p=21242
Cj Sales says
This is very true in my case I learned and fell in love with this game due to my uncle Ralph and my Papa Joe. Thanks for sharing Jim
Kyle Beane says
Dad was one of my baseball coaches from ages 7-16. We were teammates for 5 years. He turned into a fan after he retired from playing…then managed and coached the Explorers for another 10 years. After a 2-year break, he’s back as a coach with the Explorers. I wouldn’t trade our time together in the sport for anything in the world.
Jim Minogue says
My Dad was responsible for 4 Minogue boys playing Fastpitch for years. The competition and friends we made along the way are priceless.I am now passing this on to my daughters and son. My oldest is on a softball scholarship at the U of South Dakota and my youngest daughter is on the same path.
John Younger says
My father was my Little League coach,we played catch many times.When I started playing fastpitch my parents traveled with my wife,son & I around the country to tournaments. I coached my son Brian 9 years in baseball & when he started playing fastpitch we played in ASA, NAFA & ISC World tournaments together. What a game!