It started with two dads listening to their daughters.
Brett Driver and Brandon Stricklin, both Destin natives, heard their girls asking for a place to play softball. What began as a simple conversation has grown into free weekly clinics that now draw more than 40 girls ages 4-12 to Dalton Threadgill Park every Monday at 5:30 p.m.
The program launched just a few weeks ago through Destin Little League with about 20 participants and has doubled in size, maintaining strong attendance even during rainy weather.
Driver and Stricklin approached Kevin Schmidt, president of Destin Little League, about the League standing up a free clinic using the facilities after identifying a gap where girls had limited options between expensive travel softball and waiting for spring little league registration.
- Schmidt was on-board and thrilled with the turnout.
“This free Destin Little League clinic is a pre-cursor to our fall season to allow excitement to grow for girls softball, which has seen a decline in participation, before we open up fall registration,” Schmidt to Get The Coast.
“Here, they can just go out and have fun while learning a skill and a sport,” said Jacqueline Covington, whose daughter Collins participates. “They’re learning from incredible coaches and people that are just invested in them.”
Driver reached out to Brandon Patzig, head coach of Destin High School softball, who volunteered his time and brought players including Aspen, Sophia and Keeley to work with the young athletes.
“Teaching softball to the younger girls in our community isn’t just about softball, it’s teaching them the understanding of team work,” Patzig said. “I just want to see our girls go on to be successful in whatever sport they choose, hopefully it’s softball.”
The clinics welcome girls regardless of experience level. Participants range from those who have never touched a softball to top-level travel ball players with full gear.
- Two fathers, Zach Ritchie and Jake Robinson, coach the younger group of girls ages 4-7, bringing out hula hoops, games and activities that keep participants smiling whether they’re wearing tutus or cleats.
“It’s really cool to see the community rally and that all of the coaches and helpers are dads,” Covington said. “We have dads, grandpas, papas, step-dads, and even an uncle helping.”
The volunteer coaching staff includes Patzig, Driver, Stricklin, Amber Romeo, Tanner Gilbertson, Tim Stone and other fathers and grandfathers who show up each week.
The program has also created a sense of ownership among participants. When the concession stand opened recently, Covington said the girls felt “big time.” The dedicated space matters too – one participant told her brother “Absolutely not. This is my time!” when he wanted to join their relay race.
Families can register through the Destin Little League Facebook page or simply show up Monday evenings. The practices typically run 90 minutes but often extend to two hours when children stay engaged in relay games.
- Community outreach has attracted Destin Little League players, travel ball athletes and homeschool students who found the program through community websites. The organizers plan to continue through fall and are considering expanding to include scrimmages and potentially fall ball registration.
The program was inspired by Driver’s daughter Collins and Stricklin’s daughter Parker – the two girls who started it all.
“To look out on the field and see so many people show up for this community and these girls, quickly reminds us and is the exact reason why we all choose to live in this amazing town,” Covington said.
