Brotha’s & Sista’s set to begin 21st season
Brotha's and Sista's softball team is set to begin their 21st season next Monday. Mike Brown manages and coaches the two teams. The co-ed teams play in several leagues around the county. “We played in the Southern Pines Men’s league, the Aberdeen Women’s league, the Pinehurst Coed league and the Moore County Coed league. One year Pinebluff had a wood bat Coed league, and we played in that as well. The men’s league and women’s league folded over time, but the Coed leagues continue,” said Mike.
The team started in 2003 after Mike tore both of his ACLs and could not play anymore. His wife wanted a team, so he began coaching his own team called the Mineral Spirits. The women on that team wanted a women’s team as well, since the men had their league. After talking to Aberdeen Pars and Rec, a women’s league was formed and Mike’s team won the regular season and tournament three of the four years of the leagues existence. “That was a big accomplishment because our Women were not weekend players, just Sunday School teachers and young mothers from our church. We beat some of the best women players in Moore County, many who had played through school and played weekend ball as well,” said Mike.
Over the last 20 years, the team has an overall record of 514-143, 19 Championships and 21, 2nd place finishes across all the leagues. “A lot of our players now are children of the original players. They grew up watching and waiting for their turn to play. That’s one thing I love about the game, taking young players and watching them learn to love the game. They’ve done so well,” said Mike.
Some players started playing when they were under 18 and now they’re in their 30s. There are now only three original players. “Age catches us all,” said Mike. The three remaining originals are Mike’s son Michael Brown, wife Cathy Brown, and Lari Creech. Mike’s other children also play.
In 2009, Mike started a 2nd team because so many people that wanted to play. They ran two teams from 2009 to 2017. Mike had to step away from coaching softball because both of sons were playing football in Fayetteville. His oldest son Michael coached one team from 2018 through 2020. “Michael did a good job coaching. I knew he would. I always said he was my “coach” on the field,” said Mike. “He took the team to three championship games, which is awesome. I told him when I came back, he did great and now he can just concentrate on playing. He’s a very competitive good softball player.”
Mike started two teams again in 2021, when his sons went to college to play football. “Many people ask me how do I coach two teams at once. It’s fun. It can be very stressful though getting two lineups together, making sure we have enough players show up. When our teams play each other, it always starts out as a fun game, but both teams are built to win, so it turns into a knockdown drag out game, that is usually decided in the last inning,” said Mike.
“I have so many memorable moments. A Championship game where were down by seven in the final inning with two outs, but we came back to tie it up and win it in extra innings. A season we dedicated to a player that died of cancer, we went undefeated and won the tournament championship for him. One year we started in the rec division in Pinehurst, went undefeated, then the Director put us in the upper division and we won the Championship. It’s been great times,” said Mike.
Michael, Mike’s son. Started practicing with his church team in 2002, but he didn’t see action until fall 2003. “Playing for my dad was a little difficult in my first couple of years. Looking back, it helped me be the player I have been and am today,” said Michael.
“Coaching wasn’t what I expected it to be. In fact, coaching was difficult. I didn’t enjoy it all that much. The main thing I learned was that I needed to be me and not somebody I thought they wanted me to be,” said Michael.
“I am excited to be back playing. As a player, I can get to the field early, stretch out, drink my diet mountain dews, then ball out when it’s game time. It’s much easier from a mental standpoint. But being able to step out on that field, playing the game I love with some of my favorite people who have become family at some point over the years, that’s an awesome feeling. I love to compete, and I love the challenge each game and each season bring, and I look forward to this season,” said Michael.
Brotha's and Sista's will begin their next season Monday at Cannon Park in Pinehurst. Michael looks forward to playing on the new turf field. “I look forward to seeing all the teams, seeing what players changed teams, and who the new athletes are in the league. I can’t wait to see how our team stacks up against the competition out there,” said Michael.
As Brotha's and Sista's begin their 21st season, there is no guarantee. “I can’t say we will or we won’t. But I can say we will give our best efforts to end the year as champions,” said Michael. As they look to win their 20th championship, they will continue to dedicate their season to former player who passed Jeff Iker, players’ father and team supporter Shon Taylor, and players’ father and team supporter Warren Dabbs. They will continue to wear their names on their jerseys.
Photo contributed.
Written by Curtis Self
