A Farewell to Fastpitch - From – Bob Nydick, Riversharks
December 28, 2010
Kitchener, ON
A Farewell to Fastpitch
From – Bob Nydick, Riversharks
My wife never thought I would write a farewell letter to the sport that I have loved for so long. To be honest, I never thought this day would come either. I have played, coached, and sponsored fastpitch softball for over 35 years. I have made a few good decisions along the way and I have made my share of mistakes. I have understood the frustrations of losing and the joys of winning. In fact, I would argue that it is not possible to have such a wide array of experiences on the ball field as I have. Some of you know about the successes of the Kitchener Rivershark Twins over the past three seasons – winning 5 major championships – one ASA Major Championship, two Canadian National Championships, and two ISC World Championships. However, most of you do not know that the first tournament I ever attended was in 1980 for a Class C Pennsylvania State Qualifying championship. Our team not only lost the first two games of a double elimination tournament but we were double no-hit – a truly humbling experience and I guess we only had one way to go from there. Although I am ending my formal affiliation with a team, I am sure that I will visit a few ball fields next season and beyond. Please indulge me as I try to capture a very important part of my life for a very long time.
I had tremendous support from my parents throughout life but also with ball. My parents used their vacation time to come watch me play High School baseball games. My father rarely missed a softball game that I played. I hope that you two enjoyed the ride.
No wife should have to endure with what my wife did over the first 32 years of our marriage. I was on a softball field the day of our 25th wedding anniversary … I literally asked the doctor if it was OK to go play a league playoff game when my wife was in labor with our second son. All I can say is thank you for allowing me to follow my passion during the last 32 years!
Our oldest son, Rob, travelled with me during the times when we were not winning as many games as we did later. He did not get to experience as many wins but he did have a lot of fun and it was a great sharing the trips with him.
I never could have imagined the success that our teams had the last three seasons but more importantly, I never could have imagined the joy that this game could bring to me. It has been a passion in my life but one of the reasons it has become so important is being able to share the game with our youngest son Greg. One of the top 5 moments of my life was hugging Greg on the field after winning our first world championship in Kimberly. I have recently learned how much this sport has meant to Greg when I told him that it was time for me to close this chapter of my life. It is unusual for a 24 year old to want to “hang out” with their dad but he did and I will cherish the time we spent together during the last 10 years. It is truly like the MasterCard commercial – Glove $125, spikes $95, sharing a lifetime of memories with my son – priceless!
Thank you all for being part of a great ride!
It would take much too much time to list the players, coaches, and sponsors that I have enjoyed getting to know over the years but I thought I would share some of my thoughts about some of these people.
Ernie Volpe – we met when we were 8 and played softball together into our 40s …
Bruce Morrow – one of the most intense players I have ever played with …
Damien Stewart – sharing a field in the South Perth league and then sharing a special moment in the finals at Drifton in 96 …
Joe Stinner and Rick Ski – We weren’t always the best team but I never laughed more at tournaments than I did with you guys …
Ted Klee – gave me great coaching lessons but he does sometimes get confused with Christmas lights …
Gary Morinchin – tried to “sell” me on the idea on merging with a lot of his teammates – too funny …
Walt Evans – taught me the most important coaching lesson – that coaches don’t fill out the lineup card – players do with their performance on the field …
Bob Wengert – probably the smartest player I ever played with although he does have issues flying …
Mike Rohrer – has so much fun in life – and never paid for a ticket to a MLB game …
Matt Daley – the Dorian Gray of softball and one of the funniest storytellers you could meet …
Scott Long – one of the funniest people you will ever meet in life and a talented ball player …
Steve Stires – I really did consider pinch hitting for you before your game winning HR at ISC …
Mike Smith – just knows how to win – unbelievable pitching performance at NAFA AA in Salem …
Scott Evans – somehow caught every game that Mike Smith threw in Salem …
Chip Savini – introduced the major game to me …
Andy Jackson – the first International player I signed and a true competitor …
Derrick Zechman – “flounder” – the nicest person in the game – let’s go to Outback …
Paul Batt – I handed my position over to him when I transitioned to coaching and he continues to be a close friend – unbelievable hitting performance in Salem …
Todd Evans – great talks in the hotel halls at tournaments at midnight but still wouldn’t pinch hit when I needed him in Salem (he only had SARS!) – and a fantastic web designer …
Todd Moyer – my closest friend from softball and now golf and a dangerous hitter to boot …
Dave Bailey – thanks for doing all the crap work for so many years …
Frank Cox – thanks for keeping us in the championship game in Kimberly until we could rally …
Chris Shewfelt – two tours of duty with the Riversharks and a very intense player …
Paul Koert – the big lefty who knows what’s going on more than most realize …
Tim Macumber – a great teammate and a feared hitter …
Rob O’Brien – great pitching and hitting combo …
Sean O’Brien – always helped me to keep things in perspective – a confidant …
Ian Fehrman – a dangerous hitter from the left side and a slick fielder …
Jeff Goolagong – always seems to shine on the big stage …
Darrell Joy – great fielder who got a lot of timely hits …
Evan Boyd – great team players who always put the team ahead of himself…
Rob Gray – we were only together one year but I enjoyed what you added both on and off the field …
Michael White – the definition of a pitcher and a real student of the game …
Lee Jacques – very knowledgeable about the game even if it hurts me to say that …
Bongo Baird – told me that he always wanted to give 110% - and he did …
Meg Smith and Cyril Moss – thanks for keeping us in one piece …
Larry Lynch – has given back more to the sport than most …
Mike Gasaway – the little bulldog who has tremendous passion for our sport …
Steve Mullaley – working the count in the 7th inning in Kimberly before he hit his walkoff …
Brad Ezekiel – loved watching him battle at the plate in the Championship game at Quad Cities …
Don Scott – the best pitcher inch for inch that this sport has ever seen …
Blake Miller – the heart and soul of any team he is on and one of my golfing buddies …
Grant Patterson – you know you will always be on my list – enough said …
Blair Ezekiel – a great friend – I watched him grow up on the ball field and in life and one of the most dangerous hitters in the sport …
Dan Loney – if there is a better person in the game, I haven’t met him …
Dean Holoien – to paraphrase the last line from James Woods in the movie Diggstown – What you did in Quad Cities couldn’t be done …
Todd Martin – all I can say is that he is a true champion – I will never forget that changeup for the second out in the 7th inning in Kimberly …
Ryan Wolfe – quite simply the best ballplayer I ever saw in my life …
Jody Eidt – the best clutch hitter in the game and a true friend…
Pat Shannon – the best leader I have ever played with or against and one of my closest friends …
Sue and Jim Hallman – I could not imagine better business partners …
