Just-retired Shaler softball coach dies suddenly

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, August 14, 2017 | 2:48 PM

Skip Palmer's way with words was something his Shaler softball players admired. In every situation, Palmer was able to disarm people with his tone.

Sydney Smyers, a 2012 Shaler graduate, never forgets how Palmer shot down some boys' hopes. When the Titans were out east for the 2009 PIAA Class AAAA championship game, a group approached his players at a shopping mall restaurant.

“They were looking to talk to some of the girls we were sitting with,” said Smyers, a pitcher who played collegiately at Division I Niagara (N.Y.).

“They didn't know our coaches were sitting behind us. Coach turned around and said ‘Who are you? You are talking to my players right now, do you know that?' He was messing around and scared them away in a non-aggressive way.”

Palmer, who died suddenly last Saturday at the age of 66, never stopped looking out for his players. Last spring, Palmer decided to step down as coach after taking the Titans to the playoffs 12 straight years.

Palmer finished his career with a 199-58 record and guided Shaler to the 2014 WPIAL Class AAAA title and 2006 PIAA crown. The Titans also were PIAA runners-up in 2009 and went to the state playoffs seven times.

The Hampton resident taught math at Shaler for 34 years and coached baseball and football in Hampton.

Having an even temperament was Palmer's forte. Players appreciated having a coach who knew how to balance personalities.

“You never had to be afraid to go to practice and be yelled at,” said AJ Nichols, a 2015 Shaler graduate. “He was a lot of fun to be around.”

Nichols will never forget how Palmer looked during the 2014 WPIAL final. Throughout a 9-5 win over Canon-McMillan, Nichols noticed a change in his attire.

“When we won WPIALs, he was a sweat ball down the third-base line,” Nichols said. “I've never seen someone jumping around that happy before. His shirt was light gray when we started and dark grey when we were done.”

Having a coach who led with such enthusiasm was a big drawing point for the program.

Being able to repel unsavory male suitors was a bonus.

“We couldn't wait to be done with what we were doing so we could go to softball,” Smyers said. “You would go to school sick so you could go to softball. Everyone wanted to be there all the time because we had fun together, and we were good.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shaler