SAN ANTONIO — Players are often extensions of their coaches on the field. That’s literally the case for Keely Williams. Her dad, Rodney Williams, has been an assistant for the Converse Judson softball team the past three seasons.

“If there’s a play going on, we know exactly what we're gonna do and what's gonna happen,” said Keely Williams, who’s a junior outfielder for the Rockets. “It’s pretty cool because not a lot of people have that. It's almost like everyone has a dad on this team because he treats everyone like their own.”

The Rockets made the state tournament for the first time in program history in 2021, finishing as the Class 6A runner-up. As one of the state’s best leadoff hitters, she set the tone for the successful campaign.

“Most girls, they just have their coach to confide in, and they can't really show their emotions or explain how they feel,” Keely Williams said. “With my dad, I can do everything that I want.”

Dad’s influence on his daughter’s career started long before Keely got to varsity.

“He’s been there since day one,” Keely Williams said. “He would push me hard, make me cry all the time because I wasn't throwing hard enough or swinging the correct way.”

The tears went away as Keely matured, but dad’s expectations are still sky high.

“I know what he's trying to do, what the whole goal is and why he's trying to push me harder,” Keely Williams said.

The pair takes batting practice every Wednesday night in their garage. They drive around the country during the summer for select softball. There was extra rehab last year after Keely Williams missed her sophomore season due to injury.

“Sometimes I got to catch myself from getting on her a little bit too hard because I'm like, you know better,” Rodney Williams said. “All the work we've done, I just want her to be the best. She’s on a pretty good path. I just tell her, hey, you just keep playing the game.”

Because of Rodney Williams’ schedule, playing softball has turned into father-daughter bonding time. He is also busy being the head football coach at Judson.

“I think she knows of all the stuff I do, all the time I spend away from the house with other kids, that she’s my first born. She’s my baby,” Rodney Williams said.

And she always will be, even though dad’s coaching opportunities are now in the late innings.

“In a couple years, I won't get a chance to do the things I do with her,” Roger Williams said. “She’s going to be off doing her own thing, so we just cherish and embracing every moment we get.”