It’s never really been a question to me about who my superhero was. Oftentimes people have their minds go to Spiderman or Batman, but mine has always gone straight to my dad. He isn’t the typical superhero, saving the world, fighting crimes, but he is one who has saved me in so many ways.
My dad, John, played baseball growing up. His sister, my aunt, played softball; so he grew up around the two sports. He knows everything there is to know about them both! I used to do cheerleading and dance, when my mom suggested I try softball—of course I did! Long story short, I loved it and when I got to 8U my dad started coaching me. It’s always been him and I since. I really could not imagine having another coach, there is just no one like him. Lots of people think that since I’m “coach’s kid,” I get treated differently. Some people will just always think that and there is nothing you can do to change that, but my dad does not treat me differently on the field. He treats me like his daughter, of course, but he treats all the other 11 girls like his daughter too.
Anyone who has been coached by my dad knows how special he makes you feel. How he makes you feel important, like you’re needed on the team, he gives everyone their place. He allows everyone to have fun and make mistakes. It’s rare to find a coach like him, and it’s even more rare to find a dad like him.
I have never gone a day in my life wishing I had a different father—sure we fight! But we get over it, just like family does. My dad comforts me after everything, he believes in me and reminds me of it. Anytime I’m pitching I can look over at him and see he has confidence in me. I’ve had coaches where I just feel like nothing I do is good enough, no matter how hard I try, and my dad has never made me feel like that. This isn’t specific to me, he restores confidence in all my teammates. One pep talk from him and you can feel like a whole new person. Sometimes I think I forget how blessed I am to have him by my side always. Without him, I don’t think I would be playing softball anymore. I would’ve lost faith in myself, and felt worthless. All I hear is, “Come on Scrub!” And suddenly I’m okay again.
My father is a very special man. He has blessed so many people. I wake up after going to bed sad, and I have my favorite treat, chocolate covered strawberries, waiting for me. He goes on a trip and comes back with a stuffed animal named after me, wearing a tulip shirt–tulips are my favorite flower. At DisneyLand he bought me a drawing of my childhood stuffed animal, many tears were shed after that one!
I would be lost without my dad, I would be a completely different person in so many ways, and I definitely would not be as strong as I am today. I am who I am because of him and for that I am forever grateful. John Nunes has always been my superhero, and he always will be.
