With Nothing Left to Prove, Rinder Again Proves Herself

Debbie Rinder is accustomed to having to prove herself. She did so while playing Little League baseball with boys. And she’s doing it again this season as interim softball coach at Hoover High.

Although Rinder might again seem out of place, she is in the final stages of a job well done. Or is it the start of a new career as a softball coach?

Either way, Rinder, the Hoover girls’ basketball coach the past seven years, has proved to be a success on the softball field, especially considering the circumstances of her being called to duty.

Rinder, 32, replaced Kirt Kohlmeier two games into the season after Kohlmeier was suspended pending an investigation by the Glendale Unified School District regarding a possible shortage of program funds.

Kohlmeier, 42, whose suspension does not affect his status as a teacher at Hoover, has coached the softball team for eight seasons and has been Hoover’s boys’ basketball coach for 17 years. Kohlmeier is a 1971 graduate of Hoover.

School and district administrators, as well as Kohlmeier, have declined to discuss the matter. A district spokesman said Friday that the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, so does the softball season.

Hoover dropped crucial Pacific League games this week to Arcadia and Crescenta Valley, the latter loss a 1-0 decision in eight innings to the defending league champion.

The losses eliminated the Tornadoes (15-9, 5-3 in league play) from contention for a league title, but Hoover is all but assured of a berth in the Southern Section playoffs as the league’s third representative.

“I was hoping she’d screw it up,” Crescenta Valley Coach Alan Eberhart said jokingly. “But she’s come in and done a good job.”

For Rinder, the season has been a rewarding yet uneasy experience.

“I didn’t want to come in here and shake things up,” she said. “I knew having a bad season was a risk.”

Administrators immediately asked Rinder to replace Kohlmeier, in all probability for the remainder of the season. Coming off a 1-9 league season in basketball, Rinder balked at the proposition.

“My initial reaction was, ‘I can’t give you an answer right now,” Rinder said. “I had to take the night and think about it.”

Kohlmeier long has been popular among players. Rinder, who has taught physical education at Hoover since 1989, said she considers Kohlmeier a friend and that the two have a good professional relationship.

Rinder began by turning to Kohlmeier for support. Kohlmeier, Rinder said, responded by speaking with players.

“I let him [handle] the transition,” Rinder said. “Kirt set the foundation. He wants whatever’s best for the girls.”

Since then, Rinder has handled the reins comparably. Last season, Hoover finished 16-12, third in the league at 7-3.

Rinder’s playing days, primarily, were devoted to basketball at Glendale High, Cuesta College and San Diego State, where she earned a reputation as a defensive specialist.

As a coach, Rinder led the Tornadoes to an 11-0 league mark her first season and the first of three playoff appearances. But the team’s performances have been mediocre at best in recent years and Rinder, who aspires to become a school administrator, had given little consideration to broadening her coaching horizons.

Rinder’s background on the diamond--baseball and softball--has helped this spring.

At age 11, Rinder was the first girl to compete on a boys’ team in Glendale’s Babe Ruth League. Rinder, along with her twin brother, competed three years in Little League, well enough to be selected to an all-star team.

“I took a lot of crap and I had to prove myself,” Rinder said. “I wouldn’t consider myself a radical feminist or anything; I just feel that women have had to break through a lot of barriers.

“I have confidence in my coaching ability, in basketball as well as softball.”

As for next season, Rinder said she “would be interested” in returning as coach, but only if asked. Should Kohlmeier be reinstated, Rinder said, she will bow out.

“In all honesty, and in fairness to Kirt, I hope he comes out clear,” Rinder said. “If this is only a one-year thing and Kirt steps back in, then hey, thank you very much for the experience. I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful time.”

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Senior Danielle Ferreira of Crescenta Valley says she expects to sign a letter of intent with Cal State Fullerton in the next few days.

Not bad for someone in her first season as the Falcons’ top pitcher. Yet Ferreira has been pitching nine years.

Earning a college scholarship, Ferreira said, was reaching a goal. “I was looking for a school that’s not too far away, still close to my parents,” she said.

For Crescenta Valley (18-6, 7-1 in Pacific League play), much of the credit for its success must go to Ferreira, whose dominance has increased over the weeks.

Ferreira’s 1-0 victory Thursday over Hoover was her 13th shutout, and she has three no-hitters, including a perfect game, and eight one-hitters.

Ferreira has figured in all of her team’s decisions and has 206 strikeouts.