Remembering Sam Sommers
“Coach Sam” was a dedicated board member, respected coach, trusted mentor, quick wit,and beloved friend.
He represented the very best of parent involvement in youth sports. He showed us that true leadership begins with integrity, fairness, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential. Most importantly, he taught us that a child’s potential is best achieved when it is forged within culture of joy.
Sam was deeply committed to fair play. He believed that every player deserves a chance to grow, contribute, and feel like part of something bigger than themselves. He didn’t just coach to win, though his teams did, and often—he coached to cultivate confidence, character, and a love for the game.
Win or lose, Sam approached each practice and game with focus, fun, and respect. He was fully present in every dugout he managed, and he never lost sight of what really mattered: creating a space where young athletes could learn, try, fail, succeed—and be supported through it all.
My husband and I coached our two daughters all the way from T-Ball to Majors, and they will both tell you that Coach Sam was their best and favorite coach. We agree. In our family, and in many families, Sam set the standard for excellence. He had a unique ability to connect with players and make each child feel like they mattered—because to him, they did. He was the ultimate champion of female athletes.
Off the field, Sam served this program with dedication and care for more than six years as a member of the Lexington Little League Board. His contributions during that time helped shape the league we celebrate here today.
Sam worked tirelessly to make sure player evaluations were thoughtful and drafts were balanced. He was often the first person on the field after a rain storm, rake in hand, making sure the game could go on. He knew the rules inside and out, and he held himself—and others—to the principles those rules were meant to uphold. His leadership was steady, measured, and deeply trusted.
His presence touched every level of this league—from board meetings and field maintenance to post-game chats and outings to Ranc’s. And while we feel his absence deeply, we also know that his care and spirit are woven into the very fabric of this program.
Sam’s legacy most fully endures in his family. Marilyn, Abby, and Sophie have been integral to this community in their own right. The same character, kindness, humor and quiet generosity that Sam brought to the field lives on in them. Lexington stands with them—with full hearts and deep gratitude for sharing Sam with us for so many softball meetings and seasons.
The loss of Sam is not just a loss for Little League. It is a loss for our entire community.
We remember him today with admiration, love, and with an enduring sense of respect for who he was and what he gave. Thank you.
To continue honoring Sam’s memory in a lasting and meaningful way, Lexington Little League will be establishing a scholarship in his name. We hope you will join us, and invite others, in helping us realize this vision. It is one small way we can carry forward his love of learning and excellence in teaching.