I didn’t set out to become a great baseball coach, but that’s what I am today. With a pushy mother and a society that was intent on having kids do many after-school activities in Los Angeles, I was destined to become good at something. My mom picked baseball, and I must say that I’m certainly grateful today that she did.
Today, I coach Little League baseball to kids in Seattle, where I live. While I’m a history teacher by day, I have to say that I feel that I have more of an impact on my after-school kids. While I don’t tell the kids this, I actually don’t care as much if they hone their baseball skills perfectly, as I do if they learn life-long skills of determination, commitment and discipline.
This, really, is the secret to all forms of kids’ sports, as far as I’m concerned. I’ve watched kids with very little self-esteem learn to hit a ball and slowly build up their self-confidence and determination. I’ve seen bullies struggle to fit in with the team and realize that they aren’t as tough as they think they are.
Youth baseball really opens up an entire new world of exploration and skill to these kids, and I love watching the transformations. Of course, the kids think that I’m teaching them how to hit, catch, and throw a ball. I keep my real motives a secret as I watch them develop their self-confidence, discipline and drive!
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