Meet the Fan-ily: The Butz Family
[Fans] love their team as fans, but we get the immense privilege of loving them like family.
The next in our series getting to better know the Ballers’ fan-ily, those people sitting in the seats next to you. Today, we talk to the real Ballers’ family, the family of the Ballers! Nine questions for nine innings, edited slightly for clarity.
Jeff is starting pitcher Reed Butz’s father, writing here on behalf of himself and his wife Nancy. (Oh, and did we mention, Reed is a real-life hero?)
1) How did Reed get into baseball, and/or what’s one of your first memories of Reed and baseball?
Nancy and I always felt that team sports are great for a child's development and encouraged it. Teamwork, fun, away from screens, discipline and sportsmanship. He was so natural with baseball. Came to him better than other sports.
2) From where/whom did he get his athletic skill?
I played little league baseball and basketball in HS. Nancy was the athlete. Track, softball, swimming, diving, basketball and gymnastics.
3) What kind of baseball parent are you? Yeller, stewer, nervous hand-wringer, jump-out-of-your-seat-and-suit-up? (Or something better not listed here?)
Nancy is always the nervous/pacing/vocal one. Sometimes she can't watch. I am the more stoic one. Both confident in the boy's ability.
4) From the outside, we hear a lot about the sacrifices that families make for players to “pursue their dreams.” Can you tell us if that rings true to you, and if so, how?
We NEVER pushed him into any sports. We just made sure his followed through with his commitments to the team, once he made them. We would make sure he got to his games and help other parents. When he played travel ball, it was never very far away, thankfully. Until college in North Dakota, there wasn't a game that one or both of us or a grandparent attended. The place we really "sacrificed" most was for his education. 12 years in private, Lutheran School. We still support him financially as much as we are able.
5) Best moments/worst moments on the baseball journey?
So many best moments.
1: Taking 3rd in State junior year (furthest that HS program had ever gone) and to sectionals his senior year.
2: Watching him get 14Ks in the conference tournament his senior year in college. (I have that whole game saved on the computer). 1st round in the NAIA World Series in Idaho. He pitched their only winning game.
3: Watching him grow into the disciplined professional he is and to see the good, unselfish man he has become.
4. Getting to coach him in Little League and the 1000s of baseballs we threw to him.
Worst moment:
Knowing he was going to leave the baseball program at VCSU ( Nancy's alma mater )
Every time he leaves home to go play.
There were others but they were all learning experiences that strengthened him as maturing young man and a player.
6) Best baseball mascot, theme, promotion, ballpark snack you’ve encountered?
We did like Toasty when Reed played for the Vibes but nothing beats Scrappy's style! (Nancy is team Scrappy all the way.) Mike’s hotdogs are KING. Nancy loves the pretzels.
7) Anything different in supporting Reed on the Ballers compared to other teams?
Nancy becomes a fan of and adopts almost every one of Reed's teammates and follows up on them from time to time. Encouraging them in their pursuits. She is ALWAYS the biggest cheerleader in the crowd! I must say, although no organization is perfect because it is run by imperfect people, we have really appreciated the level of care given to the players by the Ballers organization and the welcoming atmosphere for the families.
8) What’s one thing you wish non-family fans knew or better appreciated about being in a player’s family?
Hours and hours of game attendance in all kinds of weather. Trading sleep for the West Coast games even when he isn’t pitching. They love their team as fans but we get the immense privilege of loving them like family. It's the investment I guess. Post game debrief, good or bad.
9) If YOU could have a walk-up song, what would it be?
Nancy: Shout by Tears for Fears
Me: Pride and Joy Stevie Ray Vaughan
