Part One

Dear Editor,

This is Chloe McRobbie, head softball coach at Wawasee. I am writing to provide a response to a letter that was written regarding the high school softball program on June 24, titled, “Where Have All the Players Gone?” There are several aspects from the rather harsh letter that I would like to address, some true, others false.

Truth: I started a feeder program for young players (10u-14u) that lasted one year.

Rebuttal: The program was originally put together by the high school coaching staff and several Wawasee Summer League coaches. Older coaches from the summer league were expected to aid some of the younger coaches from the high school staff. Weaknesses existed, as with all pilot programs, but instead of trying to help, several took an entirely different direction without informing others involved. I am not here to bash the summer league or their volunteer coaches. I love that so many young girls in the area are playing ball. However, if the support would have been mutual, if honesty was at the forefront of communication, the program would have been more successful for everyone involved. Even with the program’s demise, more girls joined travel ball. Our high school program has become more competitive every year, and I’m thankful for that.

Truth: A coach before me went to semi-state in 2017.

Rebuttal: We won sectionals in 2021. The successful coach and his team that went to semi-state had nothing to do with my players working their tails off to claim that title several years later. To say I have not had a successful career is to put down my players who work very hard for their goals, and I will not tolerate that. The program belongs to the players; I am just a facilitator. Just recently, they finished the season with a winning record and placed second in the conference.

Truth: The coach is not from the area.

Rebuttal: True, but I am invested in these girls. To think that someone has to be from an area to make a positive impact is ludicrous. To say I am not invested is completely false. I have provided free batting lessons to the young players of the community almost every summer at the high school. Middle school players are invited to join us at open gyms and summer scrimmages. For several seasons, I have worked with a peak performance coach who meets with players to build confidence and mental toughness so they can thrive as both people and athletes. We do devotions, create a team culture with input from every single player, and we give out awards like helmet stickers, Facebook shout-outs, free T-shirts, surprise ice cream trips and more.

Please see Part Two …

Chloe McRobbie