Senior Reese Campbell is the star pitcher for the Oglethorpe County softball team. She isn’t the only Campbell on the field, though.
Her father, Mike Campbell, is an assistant coach for the team and head coach for the OCHS baseball team.
Reese started playing T-ball at the age of 4 and joined her dad’s travel team at the age of 8. He has coached her on and off throughout most of her childhood with travel softball and has coached her at the high school level her junior and senior seasons.
“He’s really helped me pretty much my entire softball career,” she said. “Even if he wasn’t my coach, he would always help me with whatever I needed help with.”
Mike played baseball throughout high school and then played football at Georgia Southern. He coached baseball before Reese was playing softball, but quickly started coaching her teams.
Reese is grateful her dad coaches her because he can provide advice on her game. Mike is “a great asset to (the) team,” head coach Brianna Dickens said.
“(Baseball and softball) do overlap, so he brings knowledge,” she said. “He (also) wants to watch his daughter play and grow up, so this is just one easy way that he’s able to do that.”
Even though they are dad and daughter off the field, no one can tell they are related on the field, Dickens said.
“He doesn’t put extra pressure on her, he doesn’t hound her, he doesn’t praise her,” she said.
“Coaching her is no different than any other girl,” Mike said.
Reese said she can talk to her dad about anything, and they bond over the love they share for softball and other sports. They agree they just love hanging out with each other, whether through sports or not.
“We play badminton in the yard, we just do whatever,” Mike said. “(I’ve been) a coach in different things, (and) she’s always had an interest in all sports, so a lot of stuff is about sports.”
Reese said it’s special that her dad can coach her for her senior season. Even though he tries to put on a good face, she said he’s a teddy bear.
“If I’m doing really good and you look at him, you can see him almost crying,” she said.
Mike said he is sad to see his daughter end her high school career, but is excited for what’s next. Reese hasn’t committed to playing collegiately, but hopes to after this season.
“Hopefully, she’ll have the opportunity, if that’s something she wants to do,” Mike said.
Reese, as the Patriots’ top pitcher, had pitched every inning this season until Tuesday.
“She’s given us a chance to win every single game,” Dickens said.
Dickens said Reese is a natural leader, which is necessary for a pitcher. Mike said she is extremely positive and steady emotionally.
“She’s one of those (players) that I can always look to for whatever,” Dickens said. “In terms of doing what they’re supposed to be doing and stepping up and leading others.”
Mike merely wants his daughter to enjoy her last season as a Patriot. She has improved immensely the past few years, but he wants her to focus on having fun.
“(I like coaching) the kids and (seeing) their excitement when things go good,” he said. “It’s just fun.”