MONROE - Dale Buvid's passion for coaching softball doesn't die when the final out is recorded in the spring. His passion for softball extends from 4K players who can't tie their shoes to high school standouts.
Buvid has coached the Monroe softball team for 31 years. At the end of the spring, his coaching duties are not complete. For 20 years, Buvid has coached and instructed players in the Lassie Softball program through the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department.
The Lassie Softball program has grown each year. Under Buvid's tutelage, more than 120 children are involved in the summer softball program this year. In addition to Buvid, several former Monroe softball players assist with the softball league including Hannah Grossen, the New Glarus softball coach, Kaylee Craigo, Ellie Grossen and Chandra McGuire.
"I like being around kids and sports," Buvid said. "When I was teaching, I had my summers off and it was kind of a summer job. I figured it was a good way to get kids turned on to softball. To have them experience softball at an early age probably helped the program."
The focus isn't on winning and losing during games. The Lassie Softball league teaches children the fundamentals of fielding, throwing, catching and hitting. The league, played Tuesdays at Twining Park, is divided into half practice time and half game time.
"It's fun to work with the little ones," Buvid said. "It's fun to see the excitement on their faces in games when they get something. For some of these kids it's their first time being in an organized team event and keeping score."
The camaraderie of using former softball players as teachers and calling on parents to volunteer to pitch and coach the bases isn't lost on Buvid.
"Through the years, the parents have made the program go," he said. "It wouldn't go without the parents' help."
Now that Buvid is a retired teacher, he takes each season as it comes. Buvid has guided the Cheesemakers to 10 conference championships and six state tournament appearances in his tenure. The Cheesemakers won the WIAA Division 2 state championship in 2003 and were state runner-up in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2012. He has family in Rochester, Minn., and if he becomes a grandfather down the road, he may relocate to be closer to the grandchildren. He is still planning on coaching junior varsity boys basketball and softball next season.
"It's a year-to-year decision," Buvid said. "I'm not going to do it halfway just to pick up a paycheck. If I can't put all my energy into it and give the kids the experience, I won't do it."
Buvid has coached the Monroe softball team for 31 years. At the end of the spring, his coaching duties are not complete. For 20 years, Buvid has coached and instructed players in the Lassie Softball program through the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department.
The Lassie Softball program has grown each year. Under Buvid's tutelage, more than 120 children are involved in the summer softball program this year. In addition to Buvid, several former Monroe softball players assist with the softball league including Hannah Grossen, the New Glarus softball coach, Kaylee Craigo, Ellie Grossen and Chandra McGuire.
"I like being around kids and sports," Buvid said. "When I was teaching, I had my summers off and it was kind of a summer job. I figured it was a good way to get kids turned on to softball. To have them experience softball at an early age probably helped the program."
The focus isn't on winning and losing during games. The Lassie Softball league teaches children the fundamentals of fielding, throwing, catching and hitting. The league, played Tuesdays at Twining Park, is divided into half practice time and half game time.
"It's fun to work with the little ones," Buvid said. "It's fun to see the excitement on their faces in games when they get something. For some of these kids it's their first time being in an organized team event and keeping score."
The camaraderie of using former softball players as teachers and calling on parents to volunteer to pitch and coach the bases isn't lost on Buvid.
"Through the years, the parents have made the program go," he said. "It wouldn't go without the parents' help."
Now that Buvid is a retired teacher, he takes each season as it comes. Buvid has guided the Cheesemakers to 10 conference championships and six state tournament appearances in his tenure. The Cheesemakers won the WIAA Division 2 state championship in 2003 and were state runner-up in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2012. He has family in Rochester, Minn., and if he becomes a grandfather down the road, he may relocate to be closer to the grandchildren. He is still planning on coaching junior varsity boys basketball and softball next season.
"It's a year-to-year decision," Buvid said. "I'm not going to do it halfway just to pick up a paycheck. If I can't put all my energy into it and give the kids the experience, I won't do it."
