Over the years of covering sports, we have had to write some tough things. Writing this may be the toughest.
Dear Coach Aly,
We’re writing this with heavy hearts, knowing words can’t shift the road you’re on, but we need you—and the entire softball community—to understand the depth of your impact. This letter does not just come from our family, it comes from every parent, every player, and every soul you’ve touched with your grit and grace. We want you to feel our love and gratitude towards you, because you, Aly, have changed lives in ways that echo far beyond the diamond. Of course, we can not speak for everyone, but we think people would agree.
As a pitching coach, you didn’t just teach our daughters how to improve a fastball or to create more spin on a curve; you showed them how to stand tall in the circle and own it. You have this knack for seeing their potential, even when they can’t. You’d tweak their grip, adjust their stance, but more than that, you look them in the eye and say, “You’ve got this.” And they believe you. That belief—it’s not just about softball. It’s the kind of strength that’ll carry them through job interviews, heartbreaks, and whatever else life throws. You gave them that, Aly, and it’s a gift that doesn’t fade.
What makes you special is how you connect. You don’t just coach; you care. You know our girls’ stories—their favorite pitches, the songs they’d hum in a lesson, the dreams they whispered when practice ran late. You sit with them, laugh with them, and sometimes just listen when they need it most. That time you spent, that ease you had, it built trust. It made them feel like they mattered, not just as pitchers but as people. For young women finding their way, that’s everything. Hell, it’s more than everything—it’s the foundation they’ll build their lives on. Yes, all the coaches with whom they will work will have an impact, but we know that your connection with our daughters will not fade.
We know time is slipping, and no letter can slow it down. But we want you to know your legacy is ironclad. Every girl you coached carries a piece of you—your voice in their head saying, “One more pitch, make it count.” Every parent in the stands, every teammate on the bench, we all see it: the confidence you instilled, the heart you shared. You didn’t just shape players; you shaped a community. Your influence isn’t going anywhere. It’s in the way our daughters throw with purpose, laugh with abandon, and lift each other up, just like you did.
Aly, you coached with your whole damn heart, and we felt it. Thank you for staying late for a lesson, every pep talk, every moment you chose to show up for our kids. You’ve left a mark that’ll outlast us all, and we’re so grateful for you. Keep shining, even now, because you’re still the coach who makes us all want to be better.
With all our love and gratitude,
From our entire family
Please support Aly and her Family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/coach-aly-cancer-expenses
