Tipton is site of 1,000th win for Coach Bunting
June 15, 2012 · Crystal Eskelsen

Lisbon head softball coach Bob Bunting earned his 1,000th career win at Tipton last week when the Lions defeated the Tigers, 7-2.

Bunting became the 13th softball coach in Iowa to reach that milestone.

"I don't think you can ever anticipate reaching a mark like that," Bunting said.

Bunting started coaching softball at Lisbon in 1969. For awhile he coached both baseball and softball. He has also coached boys' basketball, girls' basketball and golf.

In the 43 years Bunting has been at the helm, a lot of things have changed.

"Pitching has totally changed," Bunting said. "In the early days we could score as many as 30 runs in a game. Now they teach coaches how to teach pitching."

Many aspects of the sport have been constant as well.

"The girls still like to play the sport," Bunting said.

This year's Lion team is no different: They love the game and have excellent team chemistry.

"I will keep doing it as long as I like it," Bunting said. "Year after year we have a good group of kids, and that makes it enjoyable."