An old proverb reads, “It takes a village to raise a child.” However, in the case of Jodi Hermanek’s pregnancy, it takes an entire softball team.
The Bobcats may say it’s been business as usual for Hermanek, who is in her sixth-year leading the program. Hermanek, however, will tell a much different story.
“I have limitations,” she said. “I’ve had to learn how to work a different way from a different dynamic I’m not really used to, while not making it everybody else’s problem.”
Although Hermanek has done her best to be as hands-on as usual, she’s had to take a step back and observe the game from a new perspective.
During a tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn. this February, Ohio freshman catcher Madison Claytor smacked a line drive just feet away from Hermanek, who was coaching third base.
“I just saw the franticness on her face, and I don’t want to do that to our hitters,” Hermanek said. “I’ll go sit in the dugout and let you be you, and that’s the first time in ten years that I’ve done that and haven’t been on the field.”
Despite no longer serving as a base coach, Hermanek is still actively instructing her team by occasionally hitting grounders or throwing soft toss during practice.
But sometimes she needs to relax in the shade or catch a flight to a game instead of riding on the bus.
“When we went down to Mississippi, she flew down and didn’t take the 17-hour bus ride,” said sophomore infielder Amanda Dalton, trying to not sound bitter.
Hermanek also said she’s been calmer this season than years past, as she believes the pregnancy has helped her find peace in the dugout. At the same time, she said she still has no problem getting high-strung and intense, similar to her past.
“I think she’s handling it really well,” junior first baseman Kaylin Clarke said. “We all like to joke about it, but she’s been awesome. The assistants have really stepped up on coaching third. I haven’t noticed much of a difference with her coaching.”
This past fall, Hermanek and her assistants created a mini scavenger hunt to break the news to the team. Hermanek said she’ll keep the video footage of the activity for the rest of her life.
And the players have continued to reach out and show support to Hermanek, oftentimes joking that her water may break at any second or that she can’t hit anymore.
January was the last time Hermanek threw batting practice, but she only stopped because of a request from her husband, David Horton Jr., an assistant professor at Ohio University in counseling and higher education.
Although “Royal Baby Watch” hasn’t officially hit Athens, there has been a buzz around the Bobcats as the due date slowly crawls closer.
Both the baby’s gender and expected due date have been a close-kept secret, with Hermanek not wanting to give anything away because all she wants is a healthy baby.
“I have a due date but I’m reluctant to say the due date because I don’t want it to change anything,” she said. “I just think the baby will come one week early. I have no control over that, but I just keep hoping so that I can selfishly be a part of postseason.”
Until then, the team has to keep waiting as its season carries on.
“When she first told us we were all really excited,” said freshman infielder Casie Hutchinson. “It’s going to have 20 older sisters. We joke around with her sometimes like, ‘Oh, it’s coming today.’ ”
Throughout the whole process, Hermanek reiterated how grateful she was for all of the support — especially from her husband.
“His life has been so much more stressful,” Hermanek said. “He’s very supportive and traveled with us to be a fan and take care of me.”
When the baby finally arrives, there’s no doubt that the players will immediately accept him or her as a brand new Bobcat.
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohiou.edu
