Gary Gates was kind of dragged into his involvement
with girls softball. In 1978 the first Girls Fast Pitch
league, Novato Girls Softball was formed. One of his
daughters, Darcy, had joined one of the four newly
formed teams. One day she came home from a practice
and told him that “our team needs a coach, so I signed you up.” Gary was a little reluctant at first because he had
never coached girls, but, he went ahead.
That one season committment turned unto twelve years of his involvment in, and advocating for, girls softball in
Novato. It included six years of coaching in the Novato
Girls Softball and Bobby Sox leagues, followed by six
years coaching at the JV and Varsity level at San Marin
High School.
In the late 1970’s and early 80’s, girls sports did not receive a lot of support. The boys always seemed to get all the “good stuff.” Gary, a beloved coach, was a strong advocate for athletic opportunities for girls in general, and softball in particular. He wanted something special for the high school girls, their own lighted softball field, something they could be proud of, and something of their own.
Gary died of Cancer in 1990 and didn’t get to see his wish fulfilled. Over the last 25 years, Jim Spilman has been the driving force that has made Gary’s wish a reality.