From 1992 to 1996, long-time MLB manager Felipe Alou managed his son Moises with the Montreal Expos. The two reunited with the San Francisco Giants in 2006.
In 1987, Cal Ripken Sr. outdid Alou by one, as he became the first and only manager to coach two sons simultaneously in the big leagues – Hall of Famer Cal Jr. and Billy.
But at St. Edmund Prep, Sheepshead Bay, assistant varsity softball coach Ken MacBride just finished a season in which he coached three of his daughters on the same team.
The St. Edmund’s Eagles are fresh off capturing the GCHSAA Class ‘A’ Brooklyn/Queens championship over rival Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst. It took a total team effort under the leadership of head coach Rowena Motylewski to finish the regular season 11-1 and win the title, and all of the MacBrides were vital factors in that success.
Meet the MacBrides
Ken met his wife Ann at Nazareth R.H.S., East Flatbush, and he played varsity baseball for the Kingsmen. The family now lives in Mill Basin and attends St. Bernard’s parish.
Ken began coaching his daughters 10 years ago for the Brooklyn Cyclones summer travel softball program based out of Joseph T. McGuire Park, Bergen Beach. This past season was his second as an assistant varsity coach for St. Edmund’s.
The trio of MacBride players – senior second baseman Meagan, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Erin and freshman corner infielder Kristie – has loved baseball and softball since they were children. Kristie has a twin sister, Katie, who decided to join the school band instead of playing softball this year.
When the girls were younger, Ken coached two softball teams based on his daughters’ ages. His older daughters (Meagan and Erin) played on one team, while the twins (Kristie and Katie) played in the younger division. Only once did he get the chance to coach all four daughters on the same team.
Meagan played all four of her years at St. Edmund’s on varsity and won the Coach’s Award as a sophomore. That season, she was hit in the eye with a fly ball and missed significant time, yet she showed up to every practice and game as the Eagles’ biggest supporter. She has set the example for her younger sisters.
“Meagan has provided the leadership being a senior,” Ken said. “It’s ‘do as I do, not do as I say’ with her.”
Erin had a successful season on the mound and showed her versatility by also playing the outfield.
“Erin wants to improve every single time either in the outfield or on the pitching mound,” Ken said. “She wants to be out there and be a part of it.”
Just like her dad – who still plays competitive softball on Sundays – Kristie wants to play softball all the time.
“Kristie will sleep in her uniform if she had the opportunity to,” Ken said. “She has a glove on all the time, and she just loves playing.”
Truly Unique Situation
The girls agree that playing together and having their dad as a coach is truly a unique situation. The chemistry amongst these three was evident during the season, especially when the trio formed the “Mac Triangle,” in which Meagan played second base, Erin pitched and Kristie played first base.
“We always played together when we were younger, and now coming into high school, it’s just great knowing that I have a support system right there on the team with me,” Meagan said.
Ken is always sure to teach his girls the necessary adjustments to make them better softball players, but he also emphasizes adjustments in life, since he’s always looking out for his daughters’ best interests as their father.
“I feel more comfortable with him (Ken) always being there,” Erin said. “When we’re going home, he’ll always explain to me what I did wrong from both a dad’s perspective and a coach’s perspective.”
The family aspect exhibited by the Eagles this season undoubtedly helped the team win the championship. But it goes even a step further for the MacBrides.
“The rest of the team realizes that we’re all a family, especially because three of us on the team actually are a family,” Kristie said.
Since the MacBride girls are a family within the larger context of the Eagles’ softball family, Ken has been able to instill in his daughters the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship, more so than winning.
“It can’t just be all about the game,” he often tells his daughters. “But it is about the team. It is about all the girls around you, and that’s what it’s been their whole lives.”
Father’s Day may be a little extra special this year for Ken, as he and his daughters continue their celebration of a championship victory.
Years from now, the MacBride girls may forget the scores of the games or who got the winning hit, but they will always remember sharing the journey – not only with each other but also with their father.
