This spring I added a new title to my ever expanding jack of all trades resume, Little League Coach. I was honored to be able to scratch this item off my bucket list. I have always had much respect for those who give their time and have the passion to teach others. For years I have waited for the right time and place to become actively involved as a coach. Now that my family is established in our neighborhood, and my own children are starting to learn the game, I decided the time was right. Being a novice, I requested to assist with a team consisting of 7-9 year olds. I figured that at this age the kids were familiar with the game of baseball, had an idea of the rules, and were still eager to learn and have fun. I was intimidated a little by the idea of working with the next age group, I know that at that level there is more emphasis placed on winning, what kids get the most playing time, and honestly, I thought the kids would be a little tougher to coach. My twins are just starting in tee-ball, and I wanted to get a foot in the door so to speak, so I can be an active presence as they move through the different levels of the league. I have worked with them during the tee-ball clinics, and while it is a lot of fun working with 5 year olds, I wanted something a little more challenging.
In the last few weeks I have already learned several lessons that will stay with me as long as I continue coaching. The hardest part has been getting, and then keeping, the attention of my players. I’m sure this is a time honored tradition, but I believe with the influx of modern technology has helped it become increasingly difficult. Kids seem to do everything at a faster pace than they ever did before. And, truth be told, the game of baseball often moves a very slow pace. Many of the lessons learned on the diamond are done by repetition. You basically drill the techniques and thought process needed to succeed, over and over until they become second nature. I guess it’s not especially exciting when you have an Xbox waiting at home, or an Ipad to play on. It also seems that many of the kids I coached have several different sports or activities they are involved in at the same time. That being said, when you can get them engaged and excited, it makes it all worth it. I believe this age group represents the last days of true innocence. They are in that magical age of almost being “big” kids and still holding on to “little” kid wonders. They are old enough to be sarcastic and try to emulate the older kids, yet young enough to still cry when they make a mistake and not hold it in out of fear of being made fun of. They are a blast to be around, I listen to some of their exchanges, and hold in my laughter, as I remember my friends and myself having similar exchanges many moons ago. Many things have changed in our world through the years, many fads have come and gone, but a 7 year old kid on the field having fun with his friends is just timeless. It feels like such a tradition, my kids probably think of me as a hokey old dude, as I often tell them to stop and appreciate the moment, that these are magic times for them.
I believe my place as a coach is to teach these kids how to play the game, but also how to play the game of life. I hope to teach them how to be a good teammate, a good friend, and how to respect one another. Most importantly, I hope to allow them to have fun. I don’t know the kids on my team that well yet, but by watching and listening, I am already sure that for a few of them the field may be an escape from life, even if only for a few hours. I know that when I was the same age, nothing else mattered but those few hours at practice or at a game, everything else was background noise. I hope I can teach these kids to love the game of baseball, I had many a coach that did the same for me, I hope I can give that back to even one of these kids.
Ten things I have learned since becoming a Little League Coach
1-I would rather have a kid who cries when striking out, than one who doesn’t react at all, it shows me they really care.
2-It doesn’t matter who you put in right field, the sky will seem brighter, the flowers more colorful, the grass greener, there is something about right field that distracts everyone.
3- Whatever you want done request the opposite, for instance, if you want the ball to be thrown to second, yell for it to be thrown to third.
4-It’s best to assign positions, if you allow them to choose, you end up with all shortstops & pitchers.
5-There will always be at least one kid who pushes your buttons, show some patience and give them a little extra attention, it’s what they are looking for.
6-If a kid is struggling, it’s natural to bury him at the end of the lineup, try pushing him up to the top, and it may give him a boost in confidence.
7-Keep them laughing, they are more inclined to listen if they are smiling; there is no faster way to lose them than to talk down to them.
8- Watch & listen, you can learn a ton from them by doing so. You can see who responds well to pressure, who tenses up, who has a thick skin, etc.
9-Make practice time fun, drills are important, but so are laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
10-Be positive, it can be very frustrating to have your advice seemingly ignored, but remember they are still kids. The experience you provide for them may be the difference in a lifelong love affair with America’s game, or playing soccer, don’t chase them to soccer!
While we are on the topic of baseball, I encourage all of you to take a couple of hours and go see the new movie 42, starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford. The story of Jackie Robinson’s integration of baseball left me feeling inspired, angry & hopeful at the same time. Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey was a perfect casting call, he shows how Mr. Rickey, while motivated by making money, also became motivated by the challenges that Jackie faced along the way. It painted an accurate, if ugly, picture of how our nation was in the post war 1940’s. Change was coming, and not everyone was ready to accept it. Some have still not come to terms with it. The scene where Jackie has a breakdown as the hatred and bigotry almost get the best of him is a timeless classic. As with the best sports movies, in the tradition of Rudy or Hoosiers, even if you don’t like sports the story will grab you by the guts.