Article & photo courtesy Brandy Hollis

As a mom of six kids, I love getting to watch all my kids play sports. My oldest boys wrestled for FHS, which was always so exciting, plus all the other sports and activities they did. My daughter did competitive cheer and all that entails. I have been blessed with the opportunity to coach my children in soccer and manage a little league team in the past years. Now as my son grows older it’s time for him to move onto other coaches.

Cooper Hollis will be 11 years old and in the fall a 6th grader at FMS. He tends to be a lot smaller than the other kids his age but his heart makes up for it. A few weeks ago, he was brave enough to get up at a schoolboard meeting to advocate for sports in the elementary school, so that way families that can’t afford to play get the opportunity at school. He is the kid that is leading the warm up, usually finishing the runs fast, leading his teams by making sure they are ready. Even when he catches, he makes sure the pitcher is having a tough time to taunt him and get them to shake it off.
In basketball other teams have to have two larger kids come sandwich him so he doesn’t stop their play, even though he may only reach their chests.

This guy is fast and loves to steal bases. People always tell his dad and me that they love to watch him play, his heart for each sport is so big it reads across his face. I would like to say that I work with him, but I don’t get the opportunity too. What he has is raw talent. He was swimming and jumping off the deep end at 2, can’t keep him out of the ocean, dives and surfs too. He has lots of incredible talents (too many to mention) that have made us always wonder if he is a super hero disguised as my child. Most importantly he is a kind and respectful young man.

At opening day, Saturday, March 9, he made the first run of the season for Fillmore Little League. He got on base with a walk and stole the whole diamond. Eventually doing it again for the Majors Angels. He played 2nd base, pitched and played catcher. I normally write about other adults in the community, but since it’s the start of baseball season, I thought the first run of the season deserved some special recognition. His heart for the game is huge and he never says no. He’s coachable and talented and I can’t wait to watch him grow this year under some great coaching by the Angels’ team. Go big, Coop!