Obey leaves Pats’ softball post

For years, Bangor Christian softball coach Tom Obey told his teams that if they gave him all their time and dedication, he would do the same.

This season, Obey found he couldn’t take his own advice.

Obey, who revived the Patriots’ softball team in 1988 and had been the coach ever since, has stepped aside to focus on his busy job as the development director of Bangor Baptist Ministry, including Bangor Christian school, Bangor Baptist Church, radio stations WHMX (105.7 FM) and WHCF (88.5 FM) and the Shepherd’s Godparent Home in Bangor.

The ministry also is looking to start a capital campaign for new school buildings, Obey said, which could include a gymnasium. Bangor Christian basketball teams currently play at Husson College. With a possible capital campaign on the horizon, Obey felt he couldn’t put in the time to coach softball, too.

The team could be a contender in Eastern Maine Class D again this year and Obey was pleased with his coaching replacements, so he felt at peace with his decision, which came days before the start of softball season.

“The team’s in good shape, we’ve got good people taking over, and the time was right for me to step aside,” Obey said. “I wouldn’t have done it unless all those things were in place.”

Obey said Tom Leathers, the father of catcher Amber Leathers, is the head coach. His assistants are Jay Mishou, the father of pitcher Megan Mishou, and Jane Ricci.

Amber Leathers and Megan Michaud were Penobscot Valley Conference Class D all-stars last year. Four other starters also return, including All-PVC first baseman Annie Babineau.

“I suspect they’ll do real well,” Obey said. “I think they have a very, very good chance to get to a championship game.”

In his 16 seasons Obey racked up more than 100 wins, most of which came in the latter part of his tenure. The Patriots won Eastern Maine Class D titles in 1999 and 2001.

Obey’s one regret? Not winning a state championship.

“I was gonna hold on for that,” he said with a laugh.

He also didn’t rule out a return to coaching the Patriots at some point, time permitting.

Obey started the program in 1988 because his daughters Sheila and Sarah wanted to play and the school had no team. He now has two grandchildren at Bangor Christian.

“It started because of my daughters but I fell in love with coaching the fundamentals,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve found that I like the winning even better.”

The capital campaign is in the conceptual phase, Obey added, but the school anticipates an increase in enrollment, possibly up to 400 from about 330 last year and 365 this year.