It was raining Wednesday evening, so Steve McAuliffe canceled his softball team’s practice. But instead of heading home, the longtime volunteer Cambridge coach caught up over drinks with a former player and mothers of players he coached.
The weather was gloomy, but McAuliffe brought a lightness to the back room of Paddy’s Lunch, recalling memories such as the player-parent game he organized.
“Steve is not just a coach,” said Kathyr Ranger, 46, a mother of one of McAuliffe’s players. “He’s a friend.”
For three decades, McAuliffe has helped shape Cambridge girls’ rec softball, guiding players beyond the diamond and creating a network of lasting relationships. Former players stay connected with him.
McAuliffe’s efforts will be recognized Saturday at Fenway Park, where the Red Sox will honor him as a 2025 Wakefield Family Youth Baseball & Softball Volunteer of the Year. He is one of seven people from around New England receiving the award.
“Steve as my coach was one of my best things growing up as a child, learning sportsmanship, building confidence,” said Maggie Allen, 26.
Family, friends and former and current players nominated McAuliffe, 77. The award recognizes a volunteer from each New England state plus a seventh volunteer from the Challenger Little League, which allows individuals with a physical or mental challenge to participate.
The honor reflects the traits of the late Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, who not only left a legacy on the field but volunteered for causes such as mental health awareness and child cancer research. Honorees attend a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park, where they will be introduced on the field and celebrated by players, fans and fellow volunteers.
Three weeks ago, McAuliffe received a phone call from the Red Sox telling him he had been selected for the award. He was offered 20 tickets to Saturday’s game. “I have 15 kids on my team, and I have 15 parents, so I need 30 tickets minimum,” McAuliffe said. “That was my first thought.”
Surprised and anxious about whom to invite, he soon found out through his daughter that a former player had urged families to nominate him, making the recognition more meaningful to him. Instead of inviting all current players, he reached out to those who had nominated him and offered them tickets.
“It’s an honor, and I don’t think they did it just because they knew me,” McAuliffe said. “I think they did it because they knew my dedication to the league.”
Ruth Allen, 61, who is Maggie Allen’s mother, said McAuliffe has created a community for parents of the players that evokes a sense of family. He also stands up for the team. Ruth Allen said that when McAuliffe sees something the girls lack, he is the first to complain to the city and fight for the girls. In particular, he’s been a strong advocate for the girls having proper practice and playing conditions.
Joelle Flynn, 46, a mother of a former player, said that a few years ago the quality of the boys’ field was noticeably better than the girls’ field. The girls team was playing on gravel, where dust kicked up into the catcher’s eyes. There were no bleachers for the parents to watch from. “Steve continued to push, push, push, and advocate that we have equality – and that’s something I wrote in my nomination, something my daughter has learned,” Flynn said.
McAuliffe says he is taking his coaching plans year by year. Parents are grateful for the time he’s able to give.
“One of the biggest nights is at the end of the season, he has stats for every single player, from each year they played,” said Kristen Nerich, 53, mother of a former player and former softball coach. “He knows them all, the girls love it, and that’s very powerful.”
This story is part of a partnership between Cambridge Day and the Boston University Department of Journalism.
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