By Kendyl Cardwell,
Here in Clermont, the Bates family represents past and present sports success. Tim and Kimberly Bates, both former elite-level athletes, moved from Orlando to Clermont in 2003. Their daughter Bailey and their son Braden have since followed in their footsteps, and are excelling at their respective sports of softball and gymnastics. Over the past 17 years, the Bates family has shown its love of athletics, family, and the community.
It is obvious where Bailey and Braden got their athletic ability. Their mother, Kimberly Bates, competed at the University of Alabama as an elite gymnast. There, she became an all American and was part of a national championship team. “Gymnastics has made me the person who I am today, with my dedication and commitment to what I do,” she said. Tim Bates shared a similar passion for sports, but his path took him a different way. The unpredictable nature of sports (especially with injury) is something athletes are forced to accept. “I played high school ball and got hurt before college ball started. However, I ended up receiving a full scholarship at the University of Alabama as an athletic manager for the tennis team,” Bates remarked. Although he could not play sports in college, it remained a central part of his life.
So far, Braden looks like he is on the same path as his mother. At only 12 years old, he has already accumulated a long list of accomplishments in the gym. Training at USA gymnastics in Winter Garden, he is currently a level 9 gymnast and practices for 4 hours every day. He has traveled all around the state and even nationally for competition, but the moments that stand out are when he went to nationals in Nevada and when he won 4 events at states as a level 5. Despite competing at a high level, he tries to enjoy the process: “I just want to have fun and enjoy gymnastics. If I compete at an elite level when I’m older, I would love to do that.” His mom says that, just like Bailey, his “work and dedication towards his sports is undeniable. He loves what he does.”
Meanwhile, Bailey is following her father’s path through softball. Her father’s image was what led her to initially discover her passion: “I joined softball because my dad had played baseball through school, so it was something we could do together. I think that’s what made me love it most at first.” This passion has taken Bailey through a successful high school career at Montverde Academy and then East Ridge, and now to college where she plays shortstop for Holy Cross in MA. The transition to college ball was not as difficult as expected because of her competitive training in HS. “The main difference is that, in college, the speed of the game is much faster and the expectations are higher. The game also becomes much more team-oriented, which creates a healthy and family-like atmosphere,” she commented. Bailey has adapted to these changes well, and this season her team has goals of winning the Patriot League. Grateful for her many positive experiences a part of softball, she said “the sport has brought me some of my best friends and best memories of my life. It has allowed me to develop self-confidence and build a sense of mental toughness.” She also believes it has taught important values such as teamwork that will aid her in the workforce and has strengthened her faith. The Bates put the same passion into their life and community as they do into athletics.
Tim Bates serves on the city council, and Bailey served on the youth city council for 2 years. (Clermont Youth Council). Their commitment to the community, involvement in local sports, and positive values have made Clermont a better place. Tim Bates attributes part of this back to athletics: “Being an athletic family has also allowed us to relate to each other, and made us more competitive. We push each other to be better in all we do, whether it’s work, school, being a Christian, or other activities,” says Tim Bates, “there is a huge commitment on the entire family, but it is so rewarding.”
