Inspire, Summer 2012

Sacrifice That decision was the start of many sacrifices we both would make to bring CeCe closer to her goals. We went to weekly pitching lessons in Cincinnati — driving 90 minutes each way — with a three-time Amateur Softball Association of America hall of famer who could take CeCe to the next level. She would pitch; I would attempt to catch. There were nightly practices in the elementary school gym where I teach. There were team practices and games, which meant more time on the road. CeCe gave up time with her friends to pursue success as a pitcher. We sometimes gave up peace in our home as CeCe and I battled over pitching mechanics. As a parent of an athlete you are always assessing when to push on the gas pedal and when to tap the brakes for fear of burning your child out. Diamond Engagement CeCe was pitching on Cedarville’s softball diamond one day when she was just a high school sophomore. Pete Reese ’60, former athletic director at Cedarville, came by and watched her pitch. He asked if she would be interested in pitching for Cedarville’s softball coach. We were surprised and pleased at Pete’s interest so early in CeCe’s high school career. This made us both feel good to know that she had the skills to continue playing at the next level. We went to three separate Queen of Diamonds Showcase events that drew university softball coaches to recruit high school athletes. Several coaches approached, emailed, and sent letters to CeCe inviting her to visit campus, but her answer was always no. The phone rang almost daily from a few coaches that were interested, and we eventually visited five colleges. She enjoyed the visits and met some wonderful coaches, but she still wasn’t sold. One day after school, she sent me a text to be at Cedarville’s softball diamond at 6 p.m. to catch for her while she pitched for Coach Wes Rowe ’78. He made CeCe an offer that day and prayed with her, and that was all it took. She was so excited to play for Coach Rowe and attend a Christian university. Home Run CeCe was not yet in kindergarten when she lost her dad (my husband, Butch) to cancer. CeCe is tall like him and has several of his natural abilities. I know Butch would have been so proud of her athletic accomplishments, but he would have been even more pleased with her spiritual growth. I think of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? … Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 54–57). The Lord has captured CeCe’s heart at Cedarville. Often she comes home talking up chapel. It makes my heart overflow with joy to see her draw closer to the Lord. We are so thankful that she is at Cedarville playing softball with other Christian athletes. She is learning to persevere when mountains rise up, and glorify the Lord in every way. Spiritually, this has been a beautiful year. I was there to see her first Cedarville home game. CeCe was all smiles as she came off the field, remembering how we used to hop the fence to practice on that field. All these years later, she’s here to play. That was a moment I will never forget. Sandy (Hitchcock) DeBartolo ’90 is a fourth grade teacher at Greeneview Elementary School in Jamestown, Ohio, and proud mom to No. 2 rookie pitcher Cecelia DeBartolo ’15. CeCe was recently selected to the National Christian College Athletic Association All-America Second Team. You may contact Sandy at saltybrez@hotmail.com. There is No “I” in ... A team of nearly 40 men and women (including 19 alumni) lead the Yellow Jacket athletic program. Their many responsibilities include coaching their teams, recruiting, training and mentoring their athletes, scheduling games, ensuring NCAA compliance, purchasing equipment, and cheering their teams to victory! “As a parent of an athlete you are always assessing when to push on the gas pedal and when to tap the brakes for fear of burning your child out.”