It’s the end of an era on the DCG Softball Diamond.
“We’ve played together for so long,” says Macee Reiling. “If one of my teammates is down I know how to cheer them up and they know how to do the same for me.”
Thirteen incredible seniors and one legendary coach are spending one last summer together at DCG.
“We’ve worked hard. We’ve scraped up our bodies. We are sore. We are tired,” says Reese Burke. “We are willing to come out and give it our all and he’s willing to give it his all.”
The first pitch in Steve Schlafke’s coaching career was thrown way back in 1976 and it will end whenever DCG’s season concludes in 2024.
“It’s just a dream come true,” says Schlafke. “I’m very fortunate and very grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had. I love DCG.”
Schlafke’s been in a softball dugout for more than 2,000 career games.
“My wife played softball and our whole family grew up with softball,” adds Schlafke. “It’s something we just live every single day of our life.”
While the softball life will look a little different after this season, the memories made in a DCG dugout will last a lifetime.
“I tell them on a daily basis, play the game because you love to play it. Play the game because you love your teammates and love to have the fun that goes along with it,” adds Schlafke.
This is it for DCG’s 13 seniors and DCG Head Coach Steve Schlafke. One final summer together. One final run at DCG.
“Everyone’s goal is to always win it all,” shares Aubrey Johansen. “But with it being my last year and all of the senior’s last year, and his last year, it would be really cool.”
As the softball season reaches its final month, there are memories to make, for everyone involved.
“Years from now you are going to remember your team because of the relationships, not necessarily because of the scoreboard or win and loss record,” says Schlafke.