Thursday, July 6, 2006 10:25 PM CDT
Eastern turns out to be the place for Nolte
BY BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
MATTOON -- To appreciate home, Ally Nolte had to look elsewhere.
Why would the catcher for Mattoon’s 2003 and 2004 IHSA Class A Sweet 16 softball teams just want to play for Lake Land or Eastern Illinois when she could go elsewhere?
“When I was younger I had a prejudice against Eastern because everybody went there,” Nolte said. “But when I went to visit, I fell in love with the campus.
“I guess it was one of those things where you want to get away from Mattoon. I tested that water my first year, and I missed it too much.”
Through her time of trying to see where the grass might be greener, Nolte never changed one of her preferences.
“I don’t think I’ve ever spent a summer away from the softball field,” she said. “I think when I found out in high school you could be a coach for a living, I really wanted to do that. Some people want to be a teacher or a doctor. My passion is playing softball.”
After one year away from home at Southeastern Illinois Community College, a sophomore season at Lake Land, Nolte now gets to continue her passion playing softball for Eastern.
One of the leaders for Lake Land’s first national junior college softball tournament qualifier has accepted a scholarship offer from the NCAA Division I school in her home county after also hearing from schools like EIU’s Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee-Martin and Division II Indianapolis.
“It’s just nice to have a local kid who lives and breathes softball,” EIU coach Kim Schuette said.
What Schuette did not see on the field from Nolte, who hit .340 including five triples and 12 doubles as a sophomore Lady Laker, the EIU coach could get recommendations from Lake Land coach Denny Throneburg.
“One of the most enjoyable kids I’ve ever coached,” said Throneburg, who like Schuette completed a first year coaching at a new job in Coles County. “She has a great passion for the game, works hard every day. Just a great kid, fun to coach.
“Another thing would be her versatility, a great catcher. She played second base and third base. We played her at shortstop. She’s the prototype softball player. She’ll hit with power or lay down the sacrifice bunt.
“Someone one time asked me ‘Where are you going to play Nolte?’ I said ‘I don’t know, but she’ll be in the lineup.’ She doesn’t have a great ego. It’s just whatever is best for the team. Eastern is a great match for her. ”
Schuette also is keeping her options open.
“She’s utility,” the EIU coach said. “She can catch and play third base. She can play several places.”
Nolte is not likely to argue when pointed toward a position on the field.
“I know they lost a very good third baseman Rachel Karos,” the incoming junior said. “Those would be big shoes to fill, but I experienced a little bit of third base at Lake Land. I’ve been a catcher for a long time, and I wouldn’t mind catching.”
“I can definitely say I’m really excited. I can’t wait to compete and see the difference (from junior college to NCAA Division I). I am almost positive the intensity won’t be different because I played for Denny, but I’m excited about the competition.”
Throneburg spent plenty of time motivating his players n even ones he really enjoyed like Nolte n with heated words.
“When Denny gets on you on the field, you know he just wants to make you better and he does,” Nolte said. “I’d rather have a coach like that than one who says ‘that’s OK’ after every play.”
In fact, look for some of Throneburg’s methods to be seen some when Nolte is coaching, now in summer leagues with a Mattoon Pride 14-and-under team and perhaps in the future as she looks for a career coaching in high school.
“I don’t think once you’ve experienced a coach like that you could never go back to being subtle,” Nolte said.
That, or simply Nolte’s hours of working to improve her game or that of others, makes Throneburg happy.
“I always tell kids I would like to see them giving back to softball,” the Lake Land coach said. “I go to the Roundhouse and the Pride Den and I see Ally working with catchers and (Lindsey) Starwalt there working with young kids. I’m probably just as proud of that as I am where they’re playing.”
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.
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