JEFFERSON TWP — Softball and Gary Coe simply go together.

He proposed to his wife 13 years ago by having a plane fly above his home softball field, the banner carrying the question flying behind it.

Now 51, he's been playing softball for 32 years and still pitches in tournament play.

This year, he coached the 10-under Saxonburg Panthers — and his 10-year-old daughter, Brynnae — to the Alle-Kiski Fastpitch League championship with a 19-2 overall record.

“I've been a player-coach for my adult team for years,” Coe said. “This is the first time I've coached kids at all.

“It's different — and very rewarding.”

Coe wasn't looking to coach youths. The league needed a coach, knew of his softball experience and approached him with the idea.

Seven of the 11 players on Saxonburg's roster are 9 and will return next season. Besides Brynnae Coe, the roster includes Bailey Adams, Macy Ambrose, Madilyn Boyer, Sophie Brandon, Olivia “Louie” Culleiton, Madi Gardner, Paige Penn, Sennett Purcell, Elizabeth Rini and Sara Wehner.

“Good kids and good parents. That's why we won,” Coe said.

Elizabeth Coe, his wife, said nine of the girls were playing softball for the first time this season.

“Some of them didn't know the right way to throw a ball or swing a bat,” she said.

They learned quickly.

The Panthers won their first 10 games of the regular season. Earning the No. 1 seed for the playoffs, they defeated Kiski #2 12-0, Valley 5-2, Riverview 4-3 and knocked off Ford City, 6-3, in the championship game of the 18-team circuit.

“It was fun teaching a bunch of girls the game of softball from the ground on up,” Coe said. “They wanted to learn. They were into it from the very first day.

“We just started with basic fundamentals and went from there. They picked things up pretty quickly.”

Brynnae had a bit of a head start.

After playing all of last season for her under-8 team, she was called up as a roster filler for the Saxonburg U-10 tournament team and delivered the game-winning hit in extra innings of the tournament championship game.

“She was named MVP for the day. It was a thrill for her,” her mother said.

Like her father, Brynnae pitches and wears No. 20.

“I wanted to start playing because my dad plays,” she said. “I love having him coach our team. We practice a lot and he keeps it fun.

“It's just repetition. We go over stuff and learn how to do it right.”

Coe admitted his playing days are nearing an end.

“I walk to the mound, pitch the ball each inning, then walk off the field,” he said, laughing. “I don't even bat anymore.

“I'm fine with it. I prefer to be here coaching now, spending time with my daughter. It's a good time, being able to do this as a family, and we've met so many good people.”

Elizabeth Coe hasn't played organized softball since college, but she attends every game.

“Gary loves being involved in his daughter's activities and I'm grateful for that,” she said. “Their bond is tremendous and he's patient with the girls.”

Coe will coach the Pittsburgh Passion fastpitch team next year. Based in Gibsonia, that team includes girls from all over the area. Tryouts will be held next month.

And he will continue to coach Brynnae as well.

“I can see him coaching her team every year for as long as she's playing,” Mrs. Coe said. “He absolutely loves it.”