Nick Doane
If you have or have seen some of the "40 Whacks" merch floating around in the community, you probably have some idea of who Nick Doane is. He, and his wife, Amy, have been throwing since 2108, and can often be seen at tournaments alongside their good friends and 40 Whacks co-founders, Catherine and Randall Spillman.
Nick and Amy's journey into the Axe throwing world started in late 2018. While Nick was reluctant to go try it at first, he also loves new experiences and 'doing' things in his spare time, so, on a weekend with no other plans on the docket, Amy convinced him to go try it with her. As he described, they were instantly hooked and booked another trip down before even leaving the building. They soon learned about leagues, met the Spillman's, found WATL venues and tournaments, watched Colby drop a bunch trying to coach them, and eventually found themselves in a spot in which they are looking to open their own venue.
Nick has always been a person who craved experiences, especially one which involved getting out and seeing new places or experiencing new food. He and Amy have currently visited 23 out of the 30 Major League Ballparks and always look forward to planning the next trip. So far they've loved Miami's stadium, which may or may not be influenced by the amazing Cuban sandwiches they got to experience when they were there for the game.
Nick has enjoyed baseball since he was just a kid. HIs dad took him to a Mariners game after they moved to Seattle from North Carolina, and, ever since, baseball games have been a way for him to unwind, something he could really just enjoy in the moment. As a kid, Nick enjoyed the escapism of the baseball diamond as well as the story of his favorite player "King" Griffy Jr. Coming from a broken home and having many personal struggles, Nick really looked up to him as a role model, reading about some similar struggles the baseball legend went through as a youth himself. Nck often thought to himself that "this is not how life is supposed to be," and this upbringing shaped his worldview and ideals going forward.
The two biggest themes present throughout Nick's life are his love of life and the experiences it offers as well as the relationships he's formed over the years, and, if you've met his son Noah, you know he's passed on many of those same ideals. At Worlds in 2022, the 40 whacks crew supported a group of throwers (in varying skill levels), giving back where they could to individuals whom they felt represented the same ideals they do. Nick mentioned that, even as recently as the last broadcast, they still get pings and alerts from QR codes being scanned through the TV from the jerseys of those whom they sponsored. Most recently, Nick has begun making his own axes just for fun, and wants to make sure it stays that way. Instead of trying to make money or start a business with it, he intends to do some making on the side and donate them for charity raffles where he can.
On top of all the travel they do for tournaments, their stadium tours (which are on a brief hold with the addition of a new puppy in their family), and a day job working in Television advertising as part of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, Nick has also been hard at work looking to start a new venue. He said it may start as just a small garage venue until they have more time to devote to it, but even a space close by to throw with the family and friends would be amazing.
Nick loves helping others get into the sport and is always open to having conversations with new and experienced throwers alike. He's learned not to underestimate anyone too, and he always treats each opponent as if they are going to throw their best game, distinctly remembering a time when Joss Allen did just that, baiting the kill on throw 10 and then smacking it (luckily for Nick, he also hit his). Nick will also always play his own best game, never playing down to competition and going for the win each time; so if you've beaten Nick, you know it was earned!
Nick, Noah, and Amy have traveled to several venues and tournaments in the last few years, and Nick has quite the extensive hat collection to prove it, which he intends to form into some sort of display in the future. Chances are, you've seen the family around, usually along with the Spillmans, and maybe you've even been trash talked by Noah, who might be one of the best for such discourse. If you haven't, make sure to do so at the next tourney, for a great conversation with some great people!
