Richard Lee's legacy cemented at helm of Atlanta RBI program

At the 2024 Nike RBI Softball World Series, hosted at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., high school softball athletes from around the country, Hawai’i and Puerto Rico battled it out for a chance to be crowned this year’s champion.

Underneath the atmosphere of competition though, strong family ties were being reinforced via the Atlanta Nike RBI squad and its coaching staff, composed of Richard Lee and two of his daughters, LaKaylin Lee and LaKeisha Simmons.

Richard Lee is a 24-year veteran coach of the Atlanta Braves RBI squad -- that includes winning seven consecutive World Series from 2001-2007, then an eighth in ‘13.

Lee's daughters are both former players turned coaches. In total, six of Lee’s children have participated in the Nike RBI World Series.

The Atlanta squad at this year’s program did not feature any of his kids, but his teachings and philosophy are constantly reinforced by his team. With so much experience in the RBI program, Richard Lee knows how special of an event the Nike RBI World Series is, especially for first-time participants.

“It’s a very important role within the program. … A lot of our kids … have never had the opportunity to play at a high level … going to different cities … just playing,” Lee said. “They meet new friends and it's just a great feeling just being here, being part of it.”

The coaching veteran knows better than anyone what softball and team sports can do for younger generations, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.

“We are hurting in the city of Atlanta, not having enough girls,” Lee said. “It's so important that our kids can pass it on to other players and family and say, hey, this is a great program.”

The most recent winner in the family is LaKaylin, who was a part of the 2013 championship squad and led the team to victory as its primary pitcher during an up-and-down tournament ride.

“The time that we had to fly out, a lot of the players couldn't make it, so we only had 10 players. … A lot of pitchers couldn't make it, and I ended up being the only pitcher,” LaKaylin said.

In pool play, due to LaKaylin being the only pitcher available, the Atlanta squad was run-ruled or defeated via mercy multiple times.

So they were seeded last for the elimination rounds, set to play the No. 1 team -- a very strong Dominican Republic squad.

Despite the seemingly lopsided odds, LaKaylin stayed true to her father’s wisdom and his belief in their single-elimination strategy. It was a simple one: Don’t lose.

“We always had the hashtags, all the part of the plan,” LaKaylin said.

They beat the top-seeded Dominican team, 9-4, and went on to beat Houston in the championship game, securing Atlanta’s 8th title. They haven’t won the championship since.

“Playing for my dad, I loved it. … It was a great learning experience,” LaKaylin said. “Game situation, the IQ of the game, it all came from him. So I'm just showing what he taught me and putting on the players this year.”

Another of his daughters, Lakeisha Simmons, was present at the series as an assistant coach. She is a strong advocate for involving youth in sports in her city, something she recognizes is not an easy task.

“You don't find that many girls playing softball, especially where we come from,” Simmons said. “The city of Atlanta, it’s pretty hard.”

Simmons also found success as a player under her dad, as a participant with the Atlanta squad from 2002-07, during the club’s dynasty era.

Despite the strong history of winning, recent years have not shown Atlanta reaching the same level of success as in the early 2000s, but the program finally made its return at this year’s Nike RBI World Series.

There, they made it to the tournament semifinals, losing out to the eventual champion, Houston Astros Nike RBI.

“It's been over a decade since the last time that his team and I were able to come out,” Simmons said. “It just feels good to be here, like, it feels great.”

There truly is no feeling like playing for the ultimate prize, and Simmons knows this experience is one the squad will never forget.

“I know what it felt like to actually come to the RBI World Series,” Simmons said. “It feels really good to get these girls out here, to get the experience when I was here.”

She also knows, for some of these young athletes, softball is one of the only outlets they have, making it all the more precious and important.

“To actually allow these girls to come to RBI … you have opportunities … to keep them out of trouble,” Simmons said. “Because if they're not playing sports, what else are they doing?”