William H Goldsmith (1921 - 2005) #1 Fan

2005 Softball Program Dedication

May 19, 2005

Cathy Cooper

On Behalf of the Varsity Team of 2005

     "When you give away a little piece of your heart, you're giving away the only thing you can give away, which, after you do, you've got more left than you had before you gave some if it away."  D. Huston

     Every varsity parent that has had the pleasure to know Bill Goldsmith has a special story to share.  We will be the last of the Crimson Tide Softball parents to have that joy and that honor.  It is with some trepidation that I undertake the impossible task of providing a dedication that is equal to this remarkable man, but it is with great fondness and respect I offer these thoughts on behalf of the Varsity Family who love him.  All I can do is try, and do my best, which is all Bill ever asked of any of us.

     I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked the same question about Bill Goldsmith.  Even though it has been four years, I remember quite vividly when I posed it.  As a freshman mom, I didn't know anyone.  With nothing else to do with my nervous energy, I had gotten to Memorial Field earlier than normalcy dictated, only to find I was not the first.  Beside the home dugout fence sat a friendly white-haired senior, already perfectly positioned in his own fold-up chair for a good game of softball.  At his side was a snack cooler, jacket and umbrella and his white hat boasting Concord Softball which partially hid his full and thick cap of white hair.

     It wasn't hard to engage in a conversation with Mr. Goldsmith.  He would always be the first to start and eventually made you feel like you were talking to an old friend - easy and familiar.  "I haven't seen you before.  Which one is yours?" Bill asked with sincere interest.  "The catcher, that redhead over there."  My nervousness was calmed and I ended up spending an extraordinary afternoon with this stranger learning all about Concord High School softball.  Following the victory, he turned to me before leaving, and whispered, "I'm going to like having that redhead around."  As he turned to leave, the jacket he tossed on his back contained the words  #1 Fan.  Once out of earshot I quickly posed my question, "Whose wonderful grandfather was that?"  The answer has become as much of a legacy of Crimson Tide Softball as the gentile man himself.  "He's no one's grandfather.  He's here for all the girls, and the best fan they could ever have!"

     It was over a decade ago that son, Michael, sparked his dad's interest in the game.  The way Bill described it sounded more like an explosion than a spark as Michael refused to let Goldsmith sit alone in his Concord apartment after becoming a widower.  A Concord math teacher, his son had promised one of his persistent students he would attend one of her softball games.  It only took one time of dragging Goldsmith down to the field to see Nicole Sawyer play (daughter to Coach Duke Sawyer and sister to Coach Jamie) for his love affair with softball to commence.  "Oh, boy, was I hooked!" smiled Goldsmith as he shared his memories of that first game with me and every game the 12 years since. 

     A seasoned storyteller, Bill recalled the Tide gave as good as it got in those earlier years.  He would deliver his trademark gummy bears before every game, and the Tide would deliver three consecutive state championships in 1994, 1995 and 1996.  A generous patron, he doesn't take any credit that there must have been magic in those chewy bears, and for Goldsmith, it's never been about the winning either.  His wish for the Crimson clad players remains as constant as his appearance at the games.  "Do your best.  If you do, never hang your head."

     Goldsmith's involvement didn't stop with the girls.  Long after the stone dust had settled on the diamond, Goldsmith would spend his off-season time traveling around New Hampshire constructing better routes to all the Class L softball fields to share with parents.  "The directions weren't always good.  They'd get you to the school, but not the field."  Varsity parents were charged with treasuring the priceless tri-fold directions upon presentation as you'd only get one.  I treasure mine now more than ever.  To these same varsity parents, he was always a refuge following a daughter's bad game.  For any player who needed a pat on the back after that same bad game, or a compliment after a good one,  they unconsciously gravitated in his direction knowing one was guaranteed.

     Gummy bear guardian turned philanthropist, Goldsmith became increasingly invested to the Crimson Tide program.  He started noticing at the high school graduations he was attending that athletic scholarships were being given in most other sports but not for softball.  For the #1 fan, that was intolerable, and the William H. and Michael Goldsmith Softball Scholarship was born.  He has reworked much of his life's savings into a softball scholarship program asking in return for only a snapshot shaking hands with the recipient. 

     Last year, Goldsmith moved more frequently from his trademark chair next to the home dugout, snack cooler still in tow, and the Concord Team Jacket with the simple inscription, "#1 Fan" always visible.  He'd visit in the press box he helped erect.  It was a bit warmer in there, and he liked looking down through the fence on the players who grew to love him each season.  While the gummy bears arrived on schedule in 2005 through son Michael, Goldsmith's stool has been painfully empty in the press box.  But his presence and spirit still abound.  Play-by-play action has been relegated to post-game commentary on cell phone by team captains Brady Benton and Danielle Cooper.  Not a game goes by he isn't waiting for the results and wishing he could be there in person.  Not a game goes by where Mr. Goldsmith isn't still somehow a part of the team.  Bill Goldsmith has been quietly fighting an illness all season that will continue to keep him away from his Softball Family this year.  Although it would be expected from most to use his remaining time selfishly, Bill is, as always, characteristically focused on the girls of the Crimson Tide Squad and worrying more about them than himself.  When asked if he would like one more State Championship, he needed no words.  He simply put his hands together  and looked up to Heaven as if offering a quick prayer, which I hope can be answered.  Victory or no this year, we are grateful for all the hats he's worn for the Tide - announcer, scorekeeper, historian, philanthropist, gummy bear king.  But the hat he cherishes the most is black, with a Crimson C.  He guards it in the nursing home not allowing son Michael to even have the opportunity to try it on.

     A devoted father, he has shared his family with us.  He has given more than a piece of his heart, and we all have more left in ours than we had before because he did choose to give some of his away.  At my urging, Mr. Goldsmith finally answers my plea that there must be something we can get for him.  It's a simple and almost predictable response if you know Bill: "Just a  few good wishes...and maybe that trophy!"     Seven seniors will leave the Crimson Tide this year to where destiny takes them.  Bill will too.   

  In honor of our daughters,  whose lives you have touched in countless ways, we dedicate the 2005 Commemorative Program to Bill Goldsmith, with our thanks, our love...and certainly those good wishes.       The Varsity Team will see what they can do about that trophy!   

Post Script:  On Saturday, June 11, 2005, Bill Goldsmith was granted his wish.  The Crimson Tide Softball Team delivered to him the Class L Championship for 2005, the first one since 1996.  After receiving the game ball signed by the team that night, Bill Goldsmith died 2:00 a.m. the next morning.