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Puchino's Pastime: Longmont Christian family makes baseball a family affair

As any parent with kids who play sports will tell you, it's a tough act to juggle. From games to practices, team feeds and carpools, making every game a priority isn't easy. And yet, mother Kami Puchino never misses a Longmont Christian baseball event.
Credit: Taylor Temby/KUSA

As any parent with kids who play sports will tell you, it's a tough act to juggle. From games to practices, team feeds and carpools, making every game a priority isn't easy. And yet, mother Kami Puchino never misses a Longmont Christian baseball event.

But that's because the manager has to show up.

"I just love coaching, and that's what I want to be out here for," she said.

With 24 years of fast pitch in her glove, Puchino stepped up to the plate for a new challenge this spring. Already the athletic director at Longmont Christian, the mother of five was ready for something more -- a head coaching position of the boys' baseball program.

"I knew I could handle it," Puchino said. "I love the boys. I've had some of them since fifth grade in elementary P.E., so I know them very well. It's no different than coaching girls to me. It's just a little different in their vocabulary."

Puchino is one of the first female baseball coaches in Colorado high school history, but as it turns out, America's game is also the Puchino family's pastime. Kami's three sons and two daughters all grew up playing baseball or softball. Son Luke in particular, could always be found on the field with his mom.

"He's been with me since he's been 18 months, two-years-old, sitting in the dugouts," Puchino said. "He could probably coach at age seven as well as I could."

"I don't even remember, I was really little, barely walking, and I was just always with her. Always by her side," Luke added.

The same still holds true today. Luke is now the assistant coach for the Warriors. His expertise and years of playing the game have helped his mom fill in the gaps where she needs it most, and together, the mother-son duo has developed an unspoken language on the field. Their hope is to build a competitive program for years to come.

"They have a heart and they work hard," Kami said. "I told them every practice, every game they've gotta want to get better and we've proved that."

"We're trying to make it to districts, and we're just trying to make this a program that can keep building on itself," Luke said. "Last year, they had 12-14 guys come out [for baseball]. This year, we already have more guys than that."

One of the players -- is another Puchino. Kami's youngest son, Dominic, is a sophomore on the team.

"He knows he has to work twice as hard for his spot on the field, and just to be a leader out there," Kami said. "That's what I expect of him."

Dominic skipped high school baseball his freshman year, and instead played for a club team. Prior to his mom taking over as head coach, he had already decided he was going to play for the Warriors this spring. Having his mom at the helm turned out to be an added bonus.

"I enjoy having her as a coach, but it's nothing really new for me, because she's always taught me since I was really little," Dominic said. "I mean, she knows the game better than anybody."

On occasion, there are brother moments on the diamond, even mother-son. But all say there is a mutual respect for one another that allows this relationship to work and be successful.

"I listen to [Luke] as a coach, not a brother," Dominic said. "It doesn't really happen much, [that] your brother is your coach and your mom is your coach for baseball. It's kind of something I try not to take for granted and just really take it all in."

The family dynamic seems to be working so far. Already this season, the Longmont Christian Warriors are off to a 2-2 start, doubling last year's total wins. Their two victories thus far have been substantial as well, topping Mile High Academy 10-3, and Denver Jewish Day 21-10 this past week. Dominic went 3-for-3 and 4 RBI that game, including hitting a home run.

"I think about that every morning that I get up," Kami Puchino said. "I'm just blessed I get to have my one son coach with him, and then I get to have my other son out on the mound or at first base. I just, yeah, I absolutely love it."

Longmont Christian will next play on April 3, 2018, against Glipin County.

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