By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published June 19, 2005
PORT RICHEY - The Rockets won International Softball Association state titles in 2003 and 2004, and three World Series championships (2002-04).
Unlike most coaches seeking publicity for their teams' exploits, however, Rockets coach Ron Deak shuns the limelight.
"He's kind of modest," said wife Lisa. "He's very modest. He's always been like that. He gets a kick out of (coaching) the girls."
"My dad's not very big on wanting to be bragged about," added Marisa, a 2005 Gulf graduate who played for a season each at Gulf and Ridgewood as well as for those championship Rocket teams.
"He's not like, "Look what we did.' He doesn't care about that stuff at all."
Lisa and Marisa care though.
"I'd like to thank him for everything in life he taught me," Marisa said. "He's the greatest dad in the world."
Ron, 47, has worked with numerous coaches since his daughter began playing in West Pasco's Dixie Softball League when she was 5.
Most recently, he helped Gulf coach Rick Hohenthaner in the Bucs' dramatic turnaround from a team that won twice in three previous years to a team that became a region semifinalist this year.
Hohenthaner spoke of Ron's positive outlook, saying both coaches often were on the same page, but varied in delivering messages.
"Kind of good cop, bad cop," said Hohenthaner, describing himself as the latter. "He had a very personal relationship with the girls and one that they responded too. He really has such energy. He's had it for years."
Marisa and Lisa would argue that some of that energy was drained when Ron's longtime friend Dave O'Brien died of lung cancer in June of 2003. Ron coached the Rockets to state and World Series crowns last season without O'Brien, but the team has since disbanded.
"It just hasn't been the same," Marisa said. "My dad hasn't had the drive. (Last season) was very difficult for him. He did it for the girls."
O'Brien died at age 49 and was buried in his Rockets uniform, while five players served as pallbearers. Ron wrote the eulogy, but Lisa read it since her husband became too choked up.
"Dave and my husband had a very special relationship," Lisa said, adding O'Brien "was with those girls to the very end, even though he lost 100 pounds."
For her part, Marisa, an infielder, has not been an all-star caliber player. Still, Ron never tired of trying to improve his daughter's skills.
When she was 10, he built a miniature practice facility in the backyard with stations for batting, pitching and fielding.
"He coached because I played," Marisa said. "Then I wanted him to help out. It would feel awkward him not being a coach to me. I don't think he could do it."
Since Marisa is bound for St. Petersburg College and has declared her softball career over, Ron won't have to coach without his daughter.
Or will he?
Hohenthaner hopes to have Ron around next season at Gulf and some day would like to revitalize the Rockets with him.
The Rockets formed as a West Pasco travel team when Marisa was 12.
At first, they lost frequently. That is until they relocated from New Port Richey to Odessa and added players from Hillsborough and other counties. Some players even came from as far away as Venice.
"Slowly we started winning," Lisa said, "and we won and we won and we won.
"He can get those girls to do anything - and I swear to God, anything. They know him and they know what he expects of them. They know each other. They're just like a finely-tuned machine."
