Ex-Players Return the Doug Hug After 500th Win

Former players of Napoleon High School softball Coach Doug Richardson (500 necklace) show their appreciation following a 3-1 win over Columbia Central in which the longtime coach recorded his 500th career win. 

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(May 22, 2023 9:30 PM ET) A handful of former Napoleon High School softball players returned to show their love for Coach Doug Richardson.

They returned the Doug Hug following a historic win by Napoleon over Columbia Central Monday night. 

Richardson recorded his 500th career win in high school softball with a 3-1 win over rivals Columbia Central. 

Every year at the end of the last softball game of the season Richardson takes his seniors out to the mound for a “sentimental” ritual of looking over the field.

“I am letting my senior know – they don’t realize it yet – it is the last time they are going to play on that diamond (as a high school player),” Richardson said. “I tell them to look around and realize all of the great times we have had here.

“You don’t realize how important that last gave is until 5, 10, or 12 years later.”

With a short talk and a hug, it is over for the NHS seniors.

Richardson and assistant Coach Jim Roth have experienced extraordinary success in the sport – averaging more than 25 wins per season. The Pirates advanced to the Division 3 finals in 2017 and thought they were on their way back in 2018 before losing in the regional final to Clinton 2-1 in 11 innings. That team was 39-0 heading into the contest.

Richardson said he has learned a lot about coaching in the past 20 years. He said one of his best teams was the 2004 squad – his second year as a head coach – with Danielle Danko. 

“I didn’t not realize how good she was … I was unseasoned as a coach,” Richardson said. 

But Richardson continued his winning ways with numerous district and regional titles. 

Richardson says he does not know how much longer he will coach. But with a handful of granddaughters in Napoleon Elementary School – and softball players – he could be around a while. 

Just long enough to hand out more memories for his players.