Friends, family and former players stepped to the plate a final time to honor Mike Newsome.

The 67-year-old Newsome, a popular coach in the area died January 16 and had his funeral service two days later.

Sunday evening he was honored at Chockoyotte Park, where the ballfields are named in his honor. Former players who learned the game of softball under his tutelage were given the opportunity to play an impromptu game in his honor.

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“Coach Mike Newsome was more than just a coach to me. Over the past 15 years Mike became a friend and a great one at that,” said Randy Wrenn, who organized the event and has photographically documented Roanoke Vally sports events for more than a decade. “From the dugout he helped me photograph his team from any standpoint I needed. He would say, 'I will put you on top of the dugout if that's where you need to be.' He wanted his girls to shine and be recognized, but wanted to stay out of the frame. If he saw a photo, he would ask for a copy, He wanted to give it to his players. He was proud of every player he coached.”

Wrenn, a former president of the Roanoke Valley Girls Softball League, said Newsome was a trusted advisor during those years, offering help from running the scoreboard to coaching.

Coaching meant the world to Newsome. “He loved to watch his girls on the field. When they made it to the college level, he was so proud.”

Goldberg.

Newsome, Wrenn said, became a trusted friend. “We both confided in each other as friends and I felt I could talk to Mike anytime about anything. I just could not compete with how many hugs he would get at any one game. He was liked by everyone. I will miss coach, but more I will miss my phone calls from my friend.”

Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon came to work with the city in 1995. Newsome worked with the parks department for 28 years, finishing his last two with the police department.

When first starting, Simeon lived in Newsome's shadows, he said, coming to the realization, “I'm not ever going to replace Mike Newsome. I was just filling a position. To be honest, I felt like coach Guthridge taking over for Dean Smith when he retired from Chapel Hill.”

Candles glow at the vigil.

Simeon likened Newsome to Smith. “Mike was a lot like Dean Smith, but Mike changed lives. He made all of his players better, but above all he made all of his players better people.”

Jack Goldberg spoke of Newsome's warmth. “I don't think there was ever a time he didn't make anyone feel they weren't his best friend … Coach touched the life of everyone he came in contact with, on and off the ballfields. His genuine love for the game, but more importantly, his love for the kids, shows in tonight's turnout.”

Said Goldberg: “He was about more than winning games — he was teaching life lessons on how to be the best you can on and off the ballfields. Trust the Lord and yourself and you will have a productive life just like he had.”