The stands are packed and the Brave are up next to bat. In the midst of the crowd noise, a pair of Talawanda softball players are able to identify and rely on a familiar, calming voice in the dugout.
It’s a familiar scene for Talawanda High School junior Kylie Cobb and sophomore Paisley Kerby and their respective assistant coach-fathers John Cobb and Ryan Kerby.
Coach Cobb and Kylie
John Cobb began coaching his daughter Kylie a decade ago in T-Ball. Cobb has continued to be by Kylie’s side coaching, with the exception of two of her travel playing years. Cobb believes that time apart was important for his daughter, because it allowed Kylie to “hear different voices and show different things that I don’t see.”
For the Cobbs, softball remains the perfect opportunity to spend time together.
“It’s just kind of something that we bond over, and it’s outside of practice too, like we’ll go hit and pitch together. And for me, it’s pretty easy to see him on the field as a coach and not like my dad,” Kylie said.
This duo has shared plenty of successes, including Kylie being named first-team all Southwest Ohio Conference (SWOC) as a sophomore in 2023, and winning a championship in a double elimination 10-and-under tournament.
“We lost the first game, then came back and won the second for the championship, but it was on that day, one year prior, that my father, her grandpa, passed away. So that made it a heartfelt and emotional day for us” John said.
Coach Kerby and Paisley
Paisley was 13 when her dad asked her at dinner if she wanted to play softball. Her dad, Ryan Kerby, knew that they had a lot of work to do since most girls in Talawanda’s softball program begin playing competitively around the age of eight.
Kerby began coaching his daughter when she was in middle school. He later moved up to assistant coach at the high school, specializing in infield instruction, when Paisley was a freshman.
Kerby’s relationship with his daughter as a coach has taught her more than just the game of softball. He places an emphasis on teaching her perseverance and independence.
“She does a lot of things on her own,” Kerby said. “I don’t have to tell her much.”
After appearing in two games as a freshman last season, Paisley and her dad are still waiting on their big memorable softball moment together, while applying the life lessons shared by her dad.
“You have to work for what you want,” Paisley said. “You can’t give up.”
Making an Exception
Head coach Scott Davie typically avoids including family members on his coaching staff, but said he was willing to make an exception since Cobb and Kerby each bring something unique to the team.
Davie pointed to a recent example where Kerby arrived to the field early to hit fly balls with Paisley, and opened the opportunity for extra reps to the whole team.
“The standard is the standard,” Davie said, “and we don’t lower the bar for anybody.”
Davie added that he relies on accountable assistant coaches due to his busy schedule as head coach, principal and father. He needs coaches that can be there when he can’t.
Talawanda opens its 2024 softball season March 23 at Arcanum High School.
