Katy Steps Up to the Plate and Builds a Pitchers’ Mound After a Sad LossKaty Steps Up to the Plate and Builds a Pitchers’ Mound After a Sad Loss

Lincoln Lives up to its Name
Since she was five, 12-year old Anna Redhair of Katy has lived and breathed softball. As soon as she was old enough to play, she signed up with the Katy Pony League to play tee-ball with mostly boys. “I stank, but I had so much fun,” laughs Anna, remembering those early games. The following year, she joined the Katy Girls Softball Association (KGSA), playing every season for the last six years. When she saw girls her age pitching in a game, she knew she was destined to be a pitcher– she practiced nearly everyday with either her mother Carla or her dad, David Redhair.

A Persistent Pitcher
For six months, a persistent Anna left her mother a sticky note every day with two simple words, “pitching lessons.” Anna’s mother finally relented and hired pitching coach April Jatzlau in December 2004. Soon, Anna was pitching for the KGSA Slyders and continued to show progress in her daily practice. “Anna’s passion is pitching,” says Jatzlau. “She is always ready to try something new, always happy to play, and very easy going. It’s what she wants to do.”

A Sudden Loss
In October of 2005, when Anna’s dad died unexpectedly, folks around her wanted to do something special for the heartbroken 6th grader. Anna’s dad was her favorite catcher and she had spent many hours practicing with him. That’s when Anna’s pitching coach April Jatzlau and her husband Jon Ericsson stepped up to the plate. The couple found someone to donate dirt, gathered up a group of neighbors and friends, and built Anna a backyard pitchers mound. The project took the team two weekends to complete.

An Important Reminder
The finished mound reminds Anna everyday how much everyone loves her and cares about her. Anna’s grandfather, Carlos Woodard also enjoys catching for her and says he’s certain the softball talent comes from his influence. Woodard played baseball until he was 44, and was the one who inspired Anna by buying her first plastic bat and ball. When she started playing with the Katy Pony League in kindergarten, he handed down his own glove, which she used until last year. “She hated giving up that glove, but the other girls were starting to throw ‘heat’, and the padding was gone,” remarks Carla.
Anna enjoys her new mound and loves the people who built it even more. “I love having my own pitching mound. Not too many people get to have one” says Anna. Mom Carla says she loves the mound for another reason. “We don’t have to go anywhere, which is so nice!” Friends often gather to catch, watch, or spend time with the Anna and her family.

Anna Today
Anna is a 6th grader at McMeans Junior High and is doing well. She’s a delightful, well-rounded Katy girl who is also involved in summer swim team, piano/percussion, drama, and her church youth group. She knows what she wants and has the persistence to achieve her goals…with a smile!

GRIEF SUPPORT
If you know a child who is grieving the loss of a loved one, contact Bo’s Place. Bo’s Place is the only ongoing program for grieving children and their families in the Houston area. Groups meet at the Central location, Fort Bend County, and the Memorial area.
Bo’s Place
10050 Buffalo Speedway
Houston, Texas 77054
713-942-8339
www.bosplace.org

Pamela Hammel is a freelance writer, Katy resident, and mother of three boys.

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