For Rick Mallett, getting involved in softball was an easy decision.
Stepping down from the presidency of the Quesnel Girls Softball Association was an entirely different matter.
Mallett, who last year was recognized by Sport BC as a Quesnel Community Sports Hero, entered the girls softball world when his daughter wanted to play the game.
So it was in 1999 that he took the lead for Mites girls softball and then the presidency of the QGSA with all of the associated responsibilities and then some.
Mallett’s worth to the QGSA is measured easily by the response to his decision to step down from the presidency.
“A big loss,” Ken Edwards, a long-time umpire for girls softball, said.
“Those are big shoes to fill, he does so much for girl’s softball in Quesnel,” Colleen Johnson, a softball coach, said.
Colin Shpak, a girls softball parent, like everyone else, could not say enough about Mallett’s contributions to the QGSA.
“There wasn’t a leadership quality he didn’t bring to the table,” Shpak said.
“He was there through thick and thin.”
In fact, all agree it is thanks to Mallett’s dedication the QGSA is on solid ground both on and off the ball diamonds.
During his tenure as either director or president of the QGSA, the number of girls participating in softball in Quesnel has grown to more than 200 and the association has hosted three provincial softball tournaments.
Running an association with more than 200 players and hosting provincial tournaments are not easy tasks.
There is scheduling of the games, making sure there are umpires, scorekeepers, grounds keepers and of course the organizing meetings, to name just a few of the items that piled up on Mallett’s plate.
Of course every detail was tended to and again Mallett deflects any recognition for his time and dedication, preferring instead to point the finger at others.
“The support I have received has been really good,” he said of other volunteers, including officers in the QGSA, coaches and parents.
“It’s been really easy to get help for the tournaments.”
Quite often, a limiting factor in running an organized sports league or tournament, requires funding to pay for a myriad of expenses.
But even that didn’t seem to be a problem for Mallett.
“Sponsorships have been great,” he said.
“The financial backing for our tournaments has been good.”
With the growth of softball in Quesnel, there was the inevitable pressure to select rep teams, to make the QGSA more competitive.
But Mallett saw it differently and insisted the better route was to take an inclusive approach and he convinced all involved the QGSA clubs should remain at a C-level.
“That means everyone’s having fun,” an appreciative Shpak said.
“He stresses the girls have fun and everyone gets equal playing time,” Johnson agreed.
Coaches and umpires were also quick to highlight another important contribution Mallett made to girl’s softball in Quesnel.
Respect.
Respect for players, coaches and umpires.
The insistence for respect was directed not only at those on the playing field but also at the parents watching the game.
“His main key is to make sure the girls have fun, fair play and respect,” Johnson said.
“It’s made a huge difference.”
Typical of all great volunteers, when asked about the rewards of being involved as a coach, director, umpire and president of the QGSA, Mallett again looked to the people around him.
“It’s the friendships I’ve made, the people I’ve met from across the province,” he said with a smile.
However reluctant Mallett is to accept recognition for his efforts, those that have worked with him are more than willing to acknowledge his accomplishments and contributions to girls softball in Quesnel.
“He’s done a really good job,” peewee softball coach Blaine LeBlanc said.
“He is everything you would want in a person in that position.”
It’s obvious no one begrudges Mallett’s decision to step away.
The only problem is Mallett has done such a good job at
the helm of the QGSA that it has proven difficult to find someone willing to step into his shoes.
That, Mallett admitted, made his decision more difficult.
At the QGSA annual general meeting, Mallett did step down as president.
But, seeing the president’s shoes remain vacant, true to form he agreed to sit as vice-president of the QGSA.
“I’ll be there to help,” Mallett said.
