ENJOYING HIS LAST GO-ROUND
Stuffel will step away after this year, watching daughter play softball and son compete in college
SUFFOLK — Just beyond the right-field fence of Nansemond River High’s baseball field sits the school’s softball field.
On many days, Warriors baseball coach Mark Stuffel has looked in that direction while coaching his team.
His daughter, Cammie, is a star player on the Warriors’ softball team.
But this will be the last season he’ll have to look through the fence to see his daughter play. He has announced that this season will be his last.
Stuffel said he’s been thinking about this move for two seasons.
“It was the first year Cammie was playing softball on that field, and we were playing baseball on this field,” he said. “We play at the same time, and I don’t get to see her play. I really enjoy watching her play.”
One player not surprised by the announcement was Stuffel’s son, Ayden, a senior outfielder on the Warriors’ baseball team, which is ranked No. 5 this week in the 757Teamz Top 15.
“I kind of figured it because of my sister playing softball,” said Ayden, who will play for Christopher Newport University. “But it’s been fun playing for my father. I’m glad I had him as a coach.”
Stuffel, who starred in baseball for Denbigh High and later at Chowan, said he got into coaching because of his love for the game.
“It’s the reason I went into teaching. I wanted to teach and coach,” said Stuffel, now in his 22nd season. “Baseball is a family. At the end of the spring-break trip, I thanked these guys. It was an awesome spring break to go out on.”
Stuffel, 45, said he’s thankful to his coaching staff and his players for making this experience memorable.
And as much as he’s enjoyed coaching his son, he added that it’s also been difficult.
“It’s been hard. It really has,” he said. “There’s times you feel sorry for your son playing for you because no matter how good he does, there’s always chirping . ... But I’ve truly enjoyed it, but I’m kind of glad that’s coming to an end, too. I’m looking forward to seeing him play college ball.”
Stuffel has many memories he’ll cherish, including winning a state championship in 2016.
Watching his players move on to college and even playing professional baseball — including current Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe — has been great, too.
“Watching Brandon Lowe play at Yankee Stadium was pretty neat,” he said. “That’s something that you don’t always get.”
But he said it’s the interaction with his players that has made it truly special.
“In 2016, that state championship team, we went out to Arizona for a spring-break tournament. That was pretty awesome,” he said. “I took the kids to the Grand Canyon. The biggest part of that year was not having somebody fall into the Grand Canyon.
“Whenever the older guys come back, it’s just awesome. I just love seeing those guys.”
Stuffel said he’s looking forward to his schedule changing and spending more time with his wife, Sara, and seeing their daughter play. The Warriors’ softball team also is ranked No. 5 in Hampton Roads.
“That’s what I’m really looking forward to. Just sitting back and relaxing,” he said. “I know it’s going to be hard to not break everything down when you watch it from the outside, but I’m looking forward to it. And she’s a solid player. She’s fun to watch. With Ayden going to college, it’s going to be her all the time. I think she’s really looking forward to it.”
Is there a chance he could return to coaching after his daughter graduates?
“I think I’m to the point where I just want to golf,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m ready to step away. I really am.”
Both father and son would like nothing more than seeing this season end with the Warriors holding the state trophy.
“I’m ready. I’m excited. We’re ready to go,” Ayden said. “We have a good team. We’re ready to win.”
“I think that would be every coach’s dream,” Mark added. “We have a good team, but so much has to go right for that to happen. The ball has to bounce your way, literally.”