howeenterprise.com
Donovan Patin 1994-2015
Page #10
Monday, July 13, 2015
Howe Youth Baseball will miss Riggs Adam Riggs has been involved with Howe Youth baseball for nine years as a head coach or an assistant baseball coach. But when you sign up to coach, you also sign up to work the fields, raise money and do so much more than teach the youngsters how to go from first to third on a bloop single. Ever so often a person goes above and beyond the call of duty as a volunteer. Vincent Hash fit that role in softball many years ago and Riggs could very well be his counterpart on the baseball side. Riggs was worked each baseball field from Ferguson to Hash Field to North Field since his soon-to-be Freshman son Mason was five years old. "We've played at North Field the most." said Riggs. "We have a fall team also, so we start in April and end up in November. You spend a lot of time out there." Riggs has not only spent just time, but also sweat equity and massive fundraising. The backstop and concession stand at North Field can be partly contributed to the hard work of Riggs.
Donovan Patin was born July 19, 1994 in Van Nuys, California, the oldest son of Erica and
"Several of us got together and tore the whole backstop down and re-roofed the dugouts and did a lot of work on the concession stand." said Riggs.
Louis Patin. Donovan succumbed to death as
Riggs says that he does all of the work because the result of a motorcycle accident at the age most of the other cities that his team travels to have a nice new complex. He says that he of 20 years old. The accident occurred in the expects Howe to have their fields one day, but early morning hours, Thursday July 2, 2015 in his kids feel like this is a baseball town and they want to provide those kids with the best the Pottsboro area. playing facilities possible with what is currently available. Donovan was a proud member of the Texas
"We all have to pitch in and do it because National Guard holding the rank of Specialist. sometimes if you don't do it yourself, it's not going to get done." said Riggs. He was an employee of Adam Smith's Texoma A 1989 graduate of Gunter High School, Riggs Harley Davidson. grew up playing baseball on fields similar to Howe's current three fields and learned by watching what it takes. The family has requested as a means of honoring Donovan's memory, in lieu of flowers please make donations to David
"(In Gunter) a lot of the dads did all of the work and that was just part of it." said Riggs.
Hutchinson – Fellowship of American Patriots The process of Howe Youth Baseball sees a dad volunteer to help usually when their child is or "Wounded Warriors Project," 6009 West five years old. It's the few and far between that Parker Road, Suite 149-299 in Plano, Texas. stick with it for the full nine years. "I would tell those new coaches to enjoy the satisfaction, but understand you're going to work your butt off to keep it as nice as you the home of his parents at 9:30 a.m. on want it." said Riggs. "The city does help, but Wednesday July 8, 2015. Re-pass immediately they don't have someone dedicated full-time to it so they rely on parents and coaches to help." followed. Riggs says that the most enjoyable part of the nine years is that wherever he goes, kids will "Dono" we love you, and you will forever be say hello to him - even if he hasn't coached them in years. in our hearts.
Adam Riggs Riggs' dedication has paid off on the diamond as his team has qualified for state and has been there this weekend as well as six years in a row. Without winning state at this point, Riggs says this is their year. "They've been there enough times and they're hungry for it." said Riggs. "They know what it takes to get there." Not wanting to interfere with the process of the coaching merry-go-round, Riggs says that even though he wants to continue coaching, he will not do it and take someone's spot. After his son graduates, if a spot is open, he just might adopt an age group and ride them through another nine year trip. Riggs admitted that he has no idea how he's going to handle going from always being a part of the program and working on volunteer work to becoming just a dad who sits in the stands and watches his son as he plays ball next year in high school. "It's going to be tough." said Riggs. "Back in my mind, I know it's going to be enjoyable, because I know Coach O (Ognoskie) will take care of them and they'll keep progressing. It's going to be fun to watch." One of Riggs' biggest attributes to HYB has been his ability to fundraise. However, he gives credit to the parents.
A celebration of life for Donovan was held at
"The parents love baseball and they love being a part of something positive and they'll do whatever it takes to continue." said Riggs. Solid positive coaches are rare and hard to find. That coupled with a burning desire to help do anything asked to better the experience for the kids is an exception. Mr. Riggs, this town owes you heart-felt thank you.
