Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Preparing To Play For Dad
MILESTONE ON HORIZON FOR LADY CARDINAL FAMILY
FARMINGTON — Madison Osnes has been working her way out of jeopardy since she was born benefiting from the coaching of her father, Farmington softball coach Randy Osnes.
Madison was born without two toes on her left foot and a fibula in her left leg. Doctors talked about amputating her left leg but Randy with the agreement of his wife, Liz, appealed the call and received a promising second opinion. After undergoing the first of 11 surgeries thus far in her 14-year athletic career at 9 months, Madison made her first birthday safely intact and growing.
Dr. James Aronson, Chief of Pediatrics and Orthopedics at Little Rock’s Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Professor of Orthopedics and Pediatrics at UAMS School of Medicine, has performed multiple bone-lengthening surgeries on Madison, who walks around smiling and looks like any normal child.
Four years ago the medical community celebrated Madison’s progress touting her ability to hit home runs, run the bases and field ground balls with an article titled, “The Achiever,” published by Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Randy recalls a photo shoot at one of the oldest baseball fields in Little Rock on a scorching 105 degree day.
“How many more, Dad?” Madison asked, then perking up to smile for the next photo.
This summer Madison is on the verge of another milestone as she prepares to enter Farmington High School as a freshman in the fall. Having grown up watching her dad coach, Madison will not be the typical “rookie,” as Randy refers to freshmen in the Lady Cardinal softball program.
“I think it pushes me,“Madison said. “Cause I know what he wants and I want to be better than what I know he wants or expects.”
Randy notes the experience may bring a bit of a reality check once Madison begins training with the Lady Cardinals yet remains confident she will thrive.
“She hasn’t gone through it yet but I think she understands the role of what first year players do here,” Randy said. “She has had the opportunity to see it for quite a few years now.”
Madison isn’t kidding herself when thinking about adapting her mindset into a new role where her dad is Coach Osnes and she is playing for him.
“It’s definitely going to be a big adjustment, something I’ll have to try to get used to,” Madison said.
“I can’t wait til the first day when she calls me ‘Coach Osnes,’” Randy said.
Randy doesn’t think being in the spotlight as a coach’s daughter will be a problem noting Madison has dealt with being a coach’s daughter for 14 years.
“I don’t think someone saying anything is ever going to bother her. She is like a typical coach’s daughter in that she probably puts more pressure on herself. Without a doubt, she’s a tough kid and she can handle any situation.”
Madison’s focus is going to be team first regardless of external expectations.
“Ultimately, I’m trying to be the best player I can for the team,” Madison said. “It’s all about the team, it’s not about one certain player.”
Madison admires how her father shakes things off, explaining a day may pass but her dad will process things. She admits a loss at state takes longer than a day to get over but said some things like an unexecuted fundamental aspect of the game are handled in such a manner that players don’t dwell on their mistakes.
“He’ll tell you that you don’t need to do that. Then he’ll say, ‘It’s a new round, let’s go.’”
“He’s definitely the best father out there,” Madison said. “He’s taught me to go above and beyond. At home there’s never a dull moment. My mom can tell you that. He definitely makes home life and life in general fun.”