Ten different coaches. Ten different learning styles. Ten different techniques. But once I started school at Arrowhead High school, everything changed. New friends, new habits, and a new coach.

After my second semester as a freshman, I decided to try out for the softball team. I was so scared. I remember thinking, Go home, you’re not going to make the team. Thankfully, I didn’t listen to my thoughts and I walked into the gym for tryouts.

Three days of tryouts. Three days of sweating. Three days of telling myself I couldn’t do it. After the third day, all the girls waited in silence to find out what team they were on. After 30 minutes I was called into the room next. I sat down. The coaches looked at me for a bit. I knew I didn’t make it. Then one coach smiled and said, “Congratulations Maddy, you are on my team.” I smiled and once I got home I couldn’t stop.

The next day I had my first high school softball practice. I made new friends, I learned new techniques, and I learned how to be a good athlete like not being a sore loser and cheering my teammates on.

I learned everything I needed to know with the help of my coach, Coach Kaatz. Every game day, he thought of a new way to make fun of my clothing. Softball uniform and Uggs, I agree it’s a unique combination. He would make me smile and laugh with what he said. He would try to interact with each player and work on improving their fielding and batting skills individually.

Coach Kaatz would encourage me to try new things I never thought I could do. Every game day when I, or anyone did something really good, Coach Kaatz would always be waiting on the third base line waiting to give a fist pump. If anyone did something wrong, he would be a little upset, but he got over it and helped us to overcome our obstacles.

Coach Kaatz is the most fearless person I know. He is a huge jokester and super friendly, if you get on his good side. He is compassionate and dedicated to coaching softball. He is the best softball coach I know that doesn’t take everything too seriously. 

Coach Kaatz was known as papa smurf. He had a white beard that, if he dyed blue, he would look exactly like Papa Smurf. Thanks to Coach Kaatz our softball team has won the most games in his entire career as a JV2 softball coach at Arrowhead High School. He made us all defeat our horrors on the field.

This is why I am nominating Coach Kaatz for this award. If it weren’t for him, I would not have been a great athlete and I would not have enjoyed my softball experience in high school. Thank you, Coach Kaatz, for your encouragement and your support.