Hobby turns into passion

By Andy Brown

Published: June 27, 2008

It started as a way to fill a little free time.

More than two decades later, Eddie Thomas is still lugging a bucket of balls, a duffel bag full of aluminum bats and a worn out baseball glove to the fields at Old Creek Town Park.

Over the years the teams and even the leagues have changed, but one things has remained constant – Thomas’ love for coaching.

“I really enjoy it,” he said. “It’s hard for me to believe people get paid to do this kind of stuff. I get such a kick out of working with these kids.”

Thomas began his coaching career just after graduating from Troy University, then Troy State University.

He was relatively new in town, unmarried and in need of an activity to help fill some free time.

Then Eufaula Parks and Recreation Director Sandy Jones came calling.

“Sandy Jones recruited me to coach a Dixie Minor team,” Thomas said.

“I had grown up around the ballpark, had played a lot of ball over the years and thought it would be fun.

“I’ve been doing it every since then.”

For five years, Thomas coached without a child playing. He eventually had the pleasure of coaching his two sons – Mason, 18, and Taylor, 15.

These days, he coaches his 10-year-old daughter Abby – an infielder on the Eufaula Dixie Angels All-Star team.

It’s an opportunity he cherishes not only because he gets to coach his daughter, but because of his relationships with the other 11 players, their parents and his assistant coaches.

“This is such a great group,” Thomas said.

“They’re all very good softball players, but the biggest thing is that they have fun playing the game and they all get along. It’s just a lot of fun being around this group.”

Last season, Thomas led the Dixie Angels All-Star squad, which consisted of mostly 9 year-olds, to a second-place finish at the District VI tournament.

He sees no reason why this year’s team can’t top that performance despite losing two of three games in last Saturday’s tune-up tournament at Old Creek Town Park.

Eufaula edged Headland 1-0 in its opener, but then suffered back-to-back losses to Troy (7-6) and Ozark (7-2).

“That brought us back down to earth a little,” Thomas said. “… Playing three games in a row wore us down, and we ran out of gas there at the end, but we played hard and we competed.

“We didn’t get a chance to see every team that will be at the sub-district tournament, but I don’t believe there is a team that can beat us if we go and play ball like we are capable of playing.”

A key to topping last season’s success will no doubt be the squad’s pitching.

“Pitching is one of our biggest strengths,” Thomas said. “We have several girls that are very good pitchers and Chris Turchiano does an excellent job coaching them.

“I feel like we have the best group of pitchers in the tournament.”

The Eufaula hurlers showed last Saturday that in some cases, one run is enough to secure a win.

“With the pitching we have, if we will swing the bats we’ll be tough to beat,” Thomas said. “They can do it, and they started doing it a little toward the end of the tournament (Saturday). If we keep that up we’re going to be OK.”

The team’s biggest strength has little to do with on-the-field matters.

“This team has great chemistry,” Thomas said.

“They’ve been playing together for about three years now, and it shows. They get along great and that makes a big difference.

“This team also has a lot of heart. They never quit.”

Thomas also believes the team’s familiarity with the coaching staff provides an edge. Thomas and assistant coach Timmy Ingram both worked with the team last season, and Turchiano has worked with the players in the past.

“They know us,” he said. “They know what to expect and I think they’re comfortable with us.

“They know we want them to play hard, but they also know we want this to be fun. That’s what it’s all about.”

For Thomas, the fun began nearly two decades ago.

It will continue today when Eufaula opens sub-district B play in Troy against Dothan National.

First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.