After more than a decade off the diamond, Lori Dietrich says that she stepped up to the plate because she knew that nobody else would.
Coaching teenage girls – her daughter among them – Dietrich works with the Exeter Extremes, and says that bonding with her team on the diamond and off of it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
But she didn’t always want to be a coach, in fact, it hadn’t even crossed her mind until she was approached and asked. Lori says that she had to get permission from her 14-year-old daughter, who was instantly supportive.
Dietrich had been off the diamond for more than ten years after a car accident, and she says that stepping back into the game as a coach has been a great opportunity to get back into it.
She says that her team is what motivates her to be a good coach – working with her assistant coaches, Dietrich says that she’s learned a lot. They have worked with their girls to make sure that they know that they win and lose as a team.
Dietrich says that if she could give her past self advice, it would be “step up to the plate” – she says that young people need someone to guide them, volunteer, and make sure that minor athletics remains the community foundation that it is.
She also says that it’s the generosity of the community that makes it happen – she wanted to give a special shoutout to Chris Regier trucking, who purchased championship hoodies for the team, as well as her assistant coaches Karen and Derek and team manager Pam.
To hear more from Lori Dietrich, listen to her full interview below:
Written by: B. Shakyaver