BIO for Bay Bateman   -   

            Bay has been involved in the fish hobby for 18 years.  It began with a backyard goldfish pond, which evolved into successively larger ponds containing both goldfish and koi.  Today she and her husband Bryan enjoy their koi and goldfish in four ponds, including one large koi pond and three smaller ponds for keeping goldfish.  Bay became interested in fancy goldfish in 2002 when she purchased her first specimens – a pair of Redcap Orandas.  Since that time she has learned the difficulties and many challenges of keeping and showing “goldies”. 

            Bay has been actively involved in the Midwest Pond and Koi Society since 1994, where she has served as club vice-president for the past three years.  She has also served as director, club librarian, raffle chairperson, and koi and goldfish show co-chairperson.  

            She enjoys showing both goldfish and koi, and has been successful in shows throughout the Midwest and East coast.  Bay became interested in the judging of goldfish and was accepted into the American Goldfish Association judging program in 2007. 

             Bay also enjoys coaching age-group swimming.  She has coached at the U.S. Naval Academy, the College of Wooster, and is currently coaching for the Hornet Swim Club in Darien, Illinois, where her kids have won many Illinois State titles.  She and her husband Bryan live in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, and have three grown children.