Medomak Valley athletic director Matt Lash announced last week that Richard Vannah has been hired as the new softball coach. He replaces Glenn Barbour, who stepped down after the Lady Panthers’ Eastern Maine Class B championship season.
Barbour led Medomak to two straight East B titles. Vannah assisted Barbour the past three seasons. Vannah said he had a very good working relationship with Barbour. “He brought a lot of enthusiasm to the program. I don’t match his excitement level.”
Vannah hopes to match Barbour’s success and would like to bring another state title home to the Panthers. “I hope to defend it,” Vannah said of the East B title. “We were East B champs two years running, but we couldn’t get over the hump.” Historically, softball has been one of the most successful sports at Medomak Valley.
Vannah is no stranger to softball. He started playing in 1983 in a men’s league. “I haven’t had a year that I haven’t been involved in softball,” he said. “I never claim to know everything, but hope I can teach them at least one new think a week. Kids love to learn and love to be successful.”
During last year’s playoffs, a Medomak player hit a huge triple and after she reached third she flashed a huge smile and thumbs up to Vannah. “Championships and banners are nice, but that is what it’s all about,” Vannah said.
“It’s my favorite sport of all,” Vannah said of softball. “I want to get involved with Little League (not coach) and with summer ball. It is so hard to get kids to play in the summer with soccer and basketball. I want to get them excited about walking onto a softball field.”
Vannah’s daughter Kayla pitched for the Panthers in both East B championship games. She is now pitching at St. Joseph’s College. “Tessa Dodge’s bat will be hard to beat and Kayla’s (Vannah) position will be hard to fill.” Vannah said, adding he expects senior Kayla Santheson to fill Kayla Vannah’s shoes. “She is going to be good. She just needs to work on her confidence. She will see the bulk of the work.”
“Kayla’s (Vannah) junior year the offense was better than the defense, in 2009 we were better on defense than offense. This year we should be a little bit of both. If the kids believe in you, they will play for you. If they believe in you they will go to the wall for you. This has been my philosophy since Kayla was in T-ball.”
“I’m very excited to get going, I can’t wait. Practices and try-outs are going to be hard. I want to find out who wants to play,” Vannah said.
