I had fallen away from most sports in my life for many years including my boyhood favorite, baseball, because of a busy career and a new family. But as the family grew, my love of America’s game was rekindled by what would be the highlight of the last 7 years of my life, Little League baseball.
Youth sports offer parents, family and friends the opportunity to see sports the way they were intended, as a game. But I was fortunate to coach and manage my son’s teams for those years in a community where Positive Coaching was taught to all managers and coaches and parents were there to support the teams, not criticize the volunteers and coaches. I know that it’s not true everywhere and that’s unfortunate.
I was often asked why I devoted the time to coach and manage Little League; my answer was always the same; because it provided the most enjoyment I could ever image and the greatest father-son time I could ever ask for. I would never say that I wasn’t disappointed in a loss, there were many heartbreakers over the years, but I never let it be the meaning of the game. Talking to a group of teary eyed 8 year olds after a last inning loss is one of the toughest conversations you will ever have, but I would do it again for the chance to talk to them again about wining, loosing and sportsmanship. This was likely my son’s last year of organized baseball and therefore the end of my participation and I am generally poignant.
If you truly enjoy a sport, get involved in coaching a youth sport. Teaching a child to love a sport as you did is an enriching experience. Do it for your own child and it’s a win-win.
The season is over for local area Little League baseball but as I think of volunteerism in the future, I am reminded of the eager young faces, the sense of accomplishment from a freshly soiled uniform and the exuberant smile of a first hit.
Put me in coach, I’m ready to play!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IWRYMoBT68
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