Daniel Bates is giving up his teaching job at Hartselle Junior High School and head softball coaching job at Hartselle High School to take a management position with a new business in Tanner, his hometown.

Bates, who has taught vocational agribusiness in Hartselle City Schools and coached football and softball for 10 years, submitted his resignation through the proper channels on Tuesday and informed members of his softball team later in the day.

The Hartselle Board of Education is scheduled to accept his resignation at Monday’s regular meeting.

“That was one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do,” he said. “I have great respect for Hartselle’s softball tradition and I consider it a great honor to have coached them as well and those who preceded them. My main concern is that they’re taken good care of in the weeks and months ahead.”

Bates said he will continue to teach and work with the softball team through the end of this month and report to work for his new employer, a farm equipment dealer, on Feb. 1.

Hartselle’s softball team began throwing practice on Jan. 9 and will begin regular practice on Jan. 30. The first date AHSAA teams can play is Feb. 20.

“Leaving Hartselle was a tough decision,” Bates said, “but ultimately it came down to accepting an offer that was too good to pass up. Working in Tanner gets me closer to home where my wife Amy teaches and our children Curt (10) and Bryleigh (5) go to school. My father and I also do some row crop farming on the family farm.”

Bates took over the softball program in 2009 and coached three final-eight state tournament teams. His teams finished sixth in 2009, and fifth in both 2010 and 2011 and had a combined won-loss record of 131-46-1.

“The tradition of Hartselle softball is in place and I’m proud I had the opportunity to be a part of it and help it grow,” Bates said. “Speaking for myself and my family, we’re thankful for the great support I’ve had from players, parents and fans. “I’m fortunate to have a lot of friends here and I hope those friendships will last a lifetime. Hartselle softball will always be close to my heart.”