Softball has been a very big part of my life for the past 12 years. Ever since Mia and Alexa started in the 5 year old program with our local rec. council it has been going strong. Between both daughters I’ve calculated that they have played in approximately 850 games…that’s games (not including practices or lessons). Both have played on rec teams, middle school, high school and USSSA travel teams. Through all off that, one of the biggest constants has been Alexa’s head coach for her travel team for four years in a row, Rob Belanger. Rob is the son of Mark “The Blade” Belanger who played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1965-1981. You can tell that Rob comes from an athletic family, because he always wants to compete at a high level and works hard to get the most out of his team while always remembering that his team is a group of teenage girls. I don’t mean that in a patronizing way…I have seen these girls fight hard and kick some a$$...I just mean that Rob knows where that line is between encouraging kids and crushing spirits. (You’d be surprised how many times I’ve seen coaches scream at their girls during a game). Rob would always want to make sure that he not only had a team of competitive girls, but also a group of supportive families too. I once overheard him say that he drafts families as much as he drafts players to his team. He also makes sure that siblings are included too. Although Mia was never officially on his team (different age group) Rob always made Mia feel included in everything. His team has truly become a second family for us...as Dads, Moms and kids are all together for countless hours every week. Rob has a wife and two daughters, a job, is very active in his church and is Chairman/Co-Founder of “Cool Kids Campaign” (a non-profit that is devoted to improving the quality of life for pediatric oncology patients and their families by focusing on the academic, social and emotional needs brought on by a cancer diagnosis). While doing all this, he still finds time to be an excellent coach that my daughters have had the pleasure of being around. I can’t express how much of an impact Rob has made on Alexa. As the only head coach (on a travel team) that Alexa has ever had, she wants to fight in every game for Rob.
Today, Rob passed away after fighting cancer for a few years. From one father to another, I’ll never be able to thank him enough for being a huge positive force in my daughter’s lives. He was truly a giant among men.
