Bob Bates served as the head coach at Onondaga from August of 2016 to Spring of 2023. Bates served as an assistant coach to Coach Cristen Nichols during the 2015-2016 season.
As head coach, Bates guided the Lazers to two NJCAA Region III Championships, resulting in two NJCAA Division III National Championship appearances. He first season as Head Coach resulted in an overall record of 30-16 and a third place finish at the 2017 NJCAA National Championship Tournament. Bates also led the Lazers to a fourth place finish in 2019 where he was also titled Region III Coach of the Year.
Coach Bates came from an extensive background in 18u Premier Travel Softball, A.S.A travel softball and Premier Girls Fastpitch. Additionally, Bates served as Assistant Coach for both the Waterloo Central High School and Cayuga Community College softball programs.
During his time at Waterloo High School from 2008-2013, the varsity softball team became two-time Section V Class BB Champions and two-time FL East DII Champions. Bates served as Assistant Coach at Cayuga Community College from 2013-2015 where he worked on building a positive and goal orientated atmosphere for student athletes.
Bates also served as the head coach of the of the Conklin Raiders 18u Gold travel team where he produced hundreds of Division I, II, and III athletes until 2023.
