Crystal Robbins
March 21, 1983 - May 7, 2014
It was a tough night at the ballpark on Thursday, May 8, 2014. The Uptown Ballers learned of the passing of one of their team mates, Crystal Robbins. Crystal Robbins passed away suddenly on May 7th at the age of 31 years old. She was a member of the Uptown Ballers since the debut in the league in the 2012 season.
Crystal will be remembered as one of those players that always gave it 100% despite the results or outcome of the game. From a personal perspective, I met Crystal through the softball league. While we were certainly not close friends, it was always nice to see her at the ballpark anytime Uptown had a game and I had the pleasure of talking to Crystal frequently at the ballpark. She always seemed to have a smile on her face and a look of determination while participating in a softball game. I know that after hearing from several other players about Crystal, that I truly missed out on the opportunity to know a genuine, caring person.
A memorial service was held in Crystal's honor on Monday, May 11th. In addition to her family and friends from outside Wells Fargo, Crystal's Uptown Ballers were present along with several additional players that had the pleasure of knowing Crystal. The league sent an arrangement of flowers with a card that read:
"We are so sorry for your loss. Crystal will be greatly missed, both in life and on the softball field. We will never forget her. The Wells Fargo Co-Ed Softball League."
Softball seems insignificant during a tragedy such as this and our league has never dealt with anything remotely as trying as this has been for us all. I will say that with all my experience of organizing this league, keeping up with stats, updating the website...it all just seemed to be not as important this week. However, I truly believe that Crystal would want us all to carry on...mindful of how she touched our lives even if it was just briefly...and continue our season.
While I may not have had a close friendship with Crystal, there are many others in our league that did know Crystal. I asked for several of them to provide their memories of Crystal Robbins:
Richard Montgomery (Crystal's Uncle via email received about a week after Crystal's passing)
Mr. Greissinger... I am Crystal's uncle...though we are still reeling with our family's loss...I came upon a tribute to her on the softball league's website by chance.
I wanted to personally write and thank you for this wonderful surprise. It was so genuine and heartfelt and it so perfectly described our Crystal. The photos were all new to us and showed her in the way we want to remember her...happy, determined and being herself. You can't imagine how devastating this has been for us, but suddenly finding something like this tribute has put a smile on our faces.
You can't imagine how everyone's kind remarks have helped to comfort us.
Again...thank you very much
Richard Montgomery
(reprinted with Mr. Montgomery's permission)
Pat Montgomery (Crystal's Grandmother) offered her comments on the website,
I am so touched by this sweet memorial to Crystal. She was very lucky to have so many friends. We miss her more every day. Thank you for your kind words.
thomasanthoney4 via comments offered this feedback:
This is so sweet! We all miss her! Great pictures!
Derek Hilst (Uptown Ballers teammate, 2013):
My initial memories of Crystal are that she was always the same, win or lose, strike out or hit, she was even keeled and always shared a smile. I found in knowing Crystal that a conversation would always ensue. She was easy to talk with, had a great personality and was a very generous person. In the smaller ways on the softball field, she always had an extra Gatorade to share. In life, she was a generous person and someone who would offer a helping hand when needed. I never heard a single bad word spoken about her, but then again, why would anyone, she was a delight to know and is already truly and deeply missed.
Melissa Armentrout (Uptown Ballers teammate, 2013-present):
I joined the Uptown Ballers last season having not played softball since my middle school days. I was very nervous to play but immediately felt welcomed by my teammates, even while sporting my mediocre skills. Everyone was there to compete but also to have fun, especially Crystal. If it hadn’t been for the WF softball league, we may have never met. We quickly became friends and I am so blessed to have shared memories with her both on and off the field. Our Uptown Ballers family will never be the same now that she is gone but I am certain every time we take the field, she’ll be there in our hearts.
Kristi Price (WFL Official Photographer):
When I first met Crystal, it was like we knew each other for years. She was so friendly. We were just talking about work and found out we had shared the same boss. Which wouldn't be odd since we both worked for WF...but I had worked for her boss in California. When I came to the fields and saw the 'orange' team playing, I would always look for her smile. She is truly missed...
If you would like to add your thoughts and memories of Crystal, send them to me at via the
I will continue to add your thoughts to the page as I receive them.
