Sofia and Mike Peters have formed a strong daughter/father coaching duo this season. (Photo courtesy Paula Peters)
Like father, like daughter.
As the Central Whidbey Little League minors softball squad has progressed this season — it started with only four girls with prior experience, yet has earned a trip to state — a unique coaching experience has played out.
The team’s coaching staff includes a father/daughter combo, with Mike and Sofia Peters working together to help shape the future of Coupeville’s diamond dandies.
The duo have worked together before, but in coach-player mode, with Mike helping shepherd Sofia and her teammates from rookie ball through juniors.
Now that his daughter is a high school player — she was a sophomore on this year’s CHS squad, which went a pristine 12-0 in Northwest 2B/1B League play — the relationship is different, yet still just as close.
“We still talk the game all the time,” Mike Peters said. “When coaching Sofia, it was more sharing the knowledge and guiding her to help herself and the team.
“Coaching with Sofia is more of a collaboration,” he added. “I enjoy listening to some of my phrases I used when I coached her, that she now tells her players.”
Coming off her first season on the high school diamond — the pandemic cancelled her freshman campaign — Sofia Peters has adapted quickly to the other side of the coach/player relationship.
It’s a natural progression for her as she follows in her father’s footsteps, and one she would like to continue.
“I love softball and I really want to go to college to be an elementary school teacher,” she said. “So I thought coaching young softball players would be a really good way for me to be involved with both.
“I’m definitely going to coach again, whether it’s after, or during my own playing career,” Sofia added. “This was so fun and I really loved being out there coaching, and helping the girls learn and succeed.”
As the CHS junior-to-be has adapted to the role, it’s made for a lot of proud papa moments.
“Watching Sofia teach other players,” has been the best part for Mike Peters as the season has progressed.
“She actually takes the time with each player, no matter their playing level,” he added.
Seeing younger players make the same progress which she has shown on the diamond is huge, Sofia Peters said.
“The best part of coaching for me has been two things. One being seeing how the girls have developed and changed from our very first practice till now.
“And two is when a player gets excited because they finally did the thing they have been working on doing,” she added. “That can be anywhere from pitching a perfect strike to remembering to creep in the infield.”
As her first season as a coach nears its end, Sofia Peters is aglow with her player’s successes, and wants her young charges to depart with more softball knowledge than they had when they arrived at the first practice.
“Honestly, I hope they learn literally anything from me,” she said. “It could be something to do with actually playing or just about life in general.
“But, if I had to be specific it would be that practicing how you play really matters.”
Coaching has given Sofia Peters a different view of the game, allowing her to better appreciate what her dad and other coaches have tried to teach her.
“There are a few differences in coaching with my dad than playing for him, but the main one that comes to mind is when I was playing for him he always told me what to do,” she said. “And told me how I should play.
“But coaching with him, that’s what he wants me to do for the girls. He wants me to be a role model and he wants me to teach them what he taught me.”
The CWLL minors squad has benefited from a deep coaching bench this season, led by Aaron Lucero and Lark Gustafson.
Sofia Peters, Ana Valencia, and Scott Maynes have also helped, with Mike Peters stepping in to help as the team heads to state.
Lucero has a prior commitment which will prevent him from accompanying his team to Auburn for the big dance, but he’s left the team in capable hands.
For Mike Peters, the goal is to continue building on what has already been accomplished.
“With a young team, to move forward in team sports it is a combination of coaching and girls who want to learn,” he said. “Aaron creates a program that is easy to follow and learn from.
“It is a consistent program. His motto is “the little things,” Mike Peters added. “The girls for the most are growing from that.
“(We just want to) play our game. Minimize little league mistakes as we call it. Make the other team beat you. Just don’t make it easy for the other team.
“Biggest message I can give the team — enjoy the moment.”
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