Diamond Dedication

By Brandon Lee
Democrat Writer

He has coached with the Tallahassee Merchants girls fast-pitch softball club since the mid1980s. And although Frank Burke never coached his three daughters each of whom played for the club in different age groups they were the reason park directors offered him the position. But Burkes daughters outgrew the organization more than 14 years ago. So why in the world has this 55-year-old chosen to remain at the traveling teams helm for nearly three decades? When you get into helping the kids and watching them go from not being able to catch and throw in the recreational league to being able to catch, throw and make routine plays, thats what makes it worthwhile, Burke explained. Burke, who currently coaches the Merchants 14-Under squad, has instructed five of the clubs six age groups during his lengthy career. Among that list are the 10U, 12U, 16U and 18U teams. He also coached a slow-pitch team known as the Challengers prior to the sports move to fast pitch. Burkes middle daughter, Frankie Wylie, 32, who lives in Athens, Ga., and recently started a youth softball organization there, is not surprised her father is still in the game. And she says her fathers commitment to his players remains genuine and steadfast.

The biggest thing my dad taught me was that he wasnt in it so his daughter could be better, he wanted all of his players to be better, Wylie said. It wasnt about him, and it wasnt about us. Its more of a community thing. Thats the kind of person hes always been. Burke, the Merchants longest-tenured coach, admits the satisfaction he achieved at each level only made him postpone his exit for even longer. I just enjoy it, said Burke, whose team is competing in todays Field of Heat Tournament in Madison, Fla. I like helping the kids out, and its great seeing their competitiveness. I enjoy giving them a good place to play. Ive been doing it a long time, and I still love it. The chance to play in an ideal environment is not the only thing Burke has given his players throughout the years. Championship experience is on that list, too. Last year, he led his 12U team to a United States Specialty Sports Association National Championship. Burke also has claimed national titles at the 16U and 17U divisions. Obviously hes great with kids, said Frank Johnson, a former Merchants 18U coach and friend of Burkes. Hes done a great job at trying to prepare those young people develop the passion and the interests and the enthusiasm for the sport. Brianna Pichard, 13, started playing softball at age eight for Burke. The pitcher-second baseman says Burke stresses fundamentals and challenges players. I like that hes hard on me, but he explains my mistakes to help make me better, Pichard said. He jokes around with us, but hes also very serious about wanting us to do our best. Johnson credits Burkes patient approach as one key to his success.

It takes serious patience to work with kids and teach them the skills at this age, Johnson said. But Frank has taken that upon himself, and you have to credit his passion for the sport and working with kids in general. But patience with young players hasnt been hard to manage at all, Burke said, considering his invested in their development. And his age has always been the farthest thing from his mind, he added. Patience is good because you dont look at where they are right now, said Burke, a former standout youth baseball player in Tallahassee. When you develop players, you look at their potential. Thats what I focus on. It might take some of them a little longer to reach that potential. But most of the time, all of them get there. And its always worth the time. Jason Thorpe, who coaches alongside Burke on the 14U team, said he recognized Burkes love for coaching the moment they combined their respective traveling teams to form last years 12U championship winner. He cares a lot about the girls and their passion for the sport, Thorpe said. Obviously, he does or he wouldnt be doing it because he has no dog in the race; theres no kid of his own in the race. His love for the game keeps him there, that and the joy in seeing how hes developing these girls and their future in the sport of softball.

Frank Burke, Tallahassee Merchants head coach, hits a ground ball during practice.

Burke tosses a softball to the outfield.