Richard E. "Coach Rich" Carroll

Richard E. (Coach Rich) Carroll 72, Founder of Venice Challenger Baseball, passed away July 16, 2021 in Venice, FL following a brief illness. Born Richard Earl Lane Carroll to parents Earl and Beulah Carroll in Port Chester, New York - he was the eldest of 8 children. The family owned and operated ""Playtime Stables"" a working barn that featured riding lessons, trails and boarding. Rich established his strong work ethic early on, walking ponies. All that ""horsing around"" led him to try his hand at playing polo. He followed his dad to Florida, where he began working at the Lake Worth Polo Club. He excelled in playing the game, and soon found himself on the National Polo circuit, playing professional polo throughout California, Arizona and Oklahoma. During this time, he met and began courting Nancy (Mackey). They married in 1978 and settled in Norman, Oklahoma, where Rich tried his hand and easy going nature at selling cars. After a while, and intent on trying something new - he randomly pulled out a U.S. map, put his finger down and it pointed to Venice, Florida. They loaded up the trailer and headed south. Once here, Nancy saw an ad for a free 1 year old donkey. ""Jack"" is a Mission Valley Ambassador and has been with the Carroll's now for 30 years! Upon arriving in Venice, Rich worked for Bill Buck Chevrolet and Matthew Currie Ford. He and Nancy also ran a business called, ""Party Ponies"". Soon after, their son, Rich Jr was born. Rich an avid baseball enthusiast went on to became a coach and ultimately President of Venice Little League, where he volunteered for over 40 years. He has coached and mentored hundreds of area kids. He loved the game so much he wanted everyone to have a chance to play. In the early 80's he became familiar with an arm of National Little League called, Challenger Baseball. Rich and his wife Nancy started an informal program for ""those who can't play in the usual way"". What started with a half dozen players has now over 250 players and growing - and Venice Challenger Baseball was born. An all-volunteer organization, VCB has fundraised over $1 million to build a dedicated ""Field of Dreams"". With the events of 2020, play had been suspended. There was concern Rich would not be able to see ""his kids"" play on these beautiful new fields. Last weekend a practice was set up, attended by Challenger players past and present, as well as dozens of ""buddies"" who have helped over the years. The practice game was livestream directly to Rich. After decades of hard work, his dream had finally come true! Rich is, was and will always be the Heartbeat of Venice Challenger Baseball. Rich has one daughter- Connie Steuerwald, and a granddaughter, Logan. Nancy has a son, John Byrd - Punta Gorda. Together, Nancy and Rich had one son, Rich Carroll Jr, he and his wife Ashley and their daughter Chloe Dale have recently moved home to Venice. Rich's surviving siblings are Ronnie (Lynn) Carroll-CT, Donna Carroll - Port Chester, David Carroll - Arlington, TX, Debbie Carroll - Venice, Steven (Debbie) Carroll - Port Chester. Rich is preceded by his parents, and siblings Beverly Carroll Flynn and Terry Carroll Buffkin. It is Rich's wish that his legacy live on with Venice Challenger Baseball. We invite you to come celebrate Coach Rich's Dream Thursday, August 5, 2021 6pm, at the new Field of Dreams, located at 920 GulfCoast Blvd, Venice, FL 34285 (behind The Boys and Girls Club). Parking will be designated, and there will be shuttles provided. The Flanzer Philanthropic Trust has offered to match donations up to $500, if you click on https://flanzertrust.org/make-a-donation/ and scroll to Venice Challenger Baseball Field of Dreams, or send a check to Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropinc Trust 1843 Floyd St Sarasota, FL 34239 it will maximize the effort. Direct Memorial Donations may be made on the Venice Challenger Baseball FB page, checks sent to: Venice Challenger Baseball c/o Susan Hanks 229 Nokomis Ave. S. Venice, FL 34285. Direct any questions to [email protected]