(This is the latest in a series of entries by guest bloggers throughout the high school spring sports season. Mike Nemchek and his daughter Sammi, who is entering her fourth year as a starter on Trinity Catholic’s softball team, explore the topical nature of the parent-athlete dynamic. Mike coached many of the city’s top players in youth leagues, including Sammi.)
By Mike Nemchek
Congratulations to Tom Pia and his Westhill Vikings, who just won their second consecutive FCIAC softball championship. The residents of Stamford should be very proud of the back-to-back accomplishment.
In addition, out of the eight teams that qualified for the FCIAC Tournament, three were our local teams, so perhaps the current signs at the end of the Stamford exit ramps on I-95 should be changed. Perhaps they should read, “Stamford, The City Whose Three High School Softball Teams Really Work.”
As the winning run crossed home plate, courtesy of Hannah Goldstone’s base hit in the bottom of the seventh inning, it occurred to me the only thing remaining in the softball season is the state tournament.
Translation: the end of my daughter Sammi’s high school softball career is approaching, but I don’t know when that last game will be and I don’t like not knowing.
I need to mentally prepare myself for such an event to avoid a public meltdown when that final out is recorded, but no one I know has a crystal ball. Ideally, it will be on either June 12 or 13 at DeLuca Field in Stratford in the state final, and ideally the last game is a victory, but currently those are unknowns.
The knowns are the regular season, the FCIAC Tournament and qualifying for the state tournament.
Unfortunately, now the uncertainty begins, but no matter how it turns out, I would like to thank my daughter Sammi and all of her teammates and coaches for four years of wonderful memories.
Best of luck to Trinity, Stamford High and Westhill in the state tournament.
Let the games begin!
