By CODY THORN
Maryville Daily Forum
Former Trenton High School softball standout Avery (Whitaker) Bailey, a recent Northwest Missouri State University graduate, is the new assistant softball coach for Maryville High School this upcoming fall.
The Trenton native brings a vast amount of softball background to this position.
She helped the Bulldogs reach a state championship game in softball, advancing to the quarterfinals twice and winning three district championships. She was an all-district player both in softball and basketball.
She played USSSA and ASA Fastpich softball for the Trentonettes, coached by Paul and Jack Derry. In 2011, the team won the ASA Girls ‘B’ 18U Fastpitch Northern National Championship.
She attended North Central Missouri College in Trenton, where she played softball for the Pirates. After obtaining her associate degree, she transferred to Northwest to finish her education. Former Maryville assistant Jennifer Stock also played for North Central Community College. Abbie Greeley, who finished her senior softball season this past year, has also committed to play softball for the Pirates.
After her playing career ended, Whitaker started helping her father (Dr. David Whitaker) coach the Trenton Twister fastpitch softball team. There, she had the chance to coach her two younger sisters.
“I guess it is true that you can take the player out of the game, but you can’t take the game out of the player,” said Bailey, who has worked as an umpire and scorekeeper for Maryville Parks and Recreation. “Softball was, and still is, a big part of my life. It left an imprint on my heart that you can’t really even explain as an athlete. The inseparable bonds and relationships I shared with teammates and coaches will always hold a very special place in my heart.
“That passion is exactly what drew me to this position. My coaches had such an impact on my life. They are the true inspiration for the strong desire I have to coach young women, not only in the fundamental elements of the game, but as a positive impact and role model in their lives.”
Bailey will assist Chandra DeMott, who guided the Spoofhounds to a 7-15 overall record and 2-5 in Midland Empire Conference play last season.
“I come from a town where softball was, and still is, a huge deal and I want to be a part of making that happen in the Maryville softball program,” Bailey said.
Bailey will work at Maryville Middle School as a seventh grade social studies teacher. She earned a degree in middle school education, with minors in language arts and social studies. Bailey did her student teaching at the school and became a substitute teacher for the R-2 district following her December graduation. This is her second job with a school in Maryville as she worked as a school-age child care instructor at St. Gregory’s while at NWMSU.