The end is only a new beginning

The more years I spend coaching, the more often I am able to remind myself of the many reasons I love coaching.  Way back in the spring of 1979 there was one moment that led me to decide that I wanted to spend my adult life in coaching, but little did I know back then that there were more benefits to coaching than just enjoying the moments on the field or court.

This summer and my experience with the Adrian Post 275 American Legion team provided me more than just fun on the field.  There was more to it than watching these 16-19 year old athletes compete in games for a couple months.  There was more to it than winning games and championships.  There was certainly more to it than telling players to go out there and give a complete effort.  And there was more to it than just being a part of a successful team.

It was a privilege for me to be involved with these young athletes who were eager to improve, who were eager to learn more, and were excited about the achievements of their teammates.  When the season ended on Monday, just a day before the potential flight to North Carolina for the American Legion World Series, there was nobody in that dugout who was ready for the season to end......just as it should be.

These players made gradual improvements all throughout the season.  They understood that they should improve every day, and they did so, not only in their individual baseball skills, but also in their understanding of game situations and in their abilities to play their roles for the benefit of their teammates.

Each guy understood that he was not as big as the team, and that each of his teammates also had the same understanding.  Each guy put the team in front of himself, and thus made the team much better as each week and each tournament passed.

I saw them improve, I saw their passion for playing a boy's game, I saw their love for their teammates, and I felt the joy of victory and the heartbreak of a season's end.  I felt all the things that make coaching such a fabulous way to spend my entire adult life.

Congratulations to the players of Adrian Post 275 American Legion.  Thanks to their parents, to Dave Stanifer and Don Cappelletty for allowing me to be a part of it.  I have gotten back more than I have given.....trust me on that!!

Walk like a Champion

As I continue to grow in age, it becomes easier for me to be reminded that I am so fortunate to be able to enjoy all the things I do on a daily basis.  This weekend I am so grateful to have been involved in something very special.  As a coach who is lucky to spend my free time with young guys who love playing baseball, I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the 2012 State Championship with the Adrian Post 275 American Legion team.

As hosts of this year's State Tournament, we were able to sweep through the state tournament and beat the Midland Berryhill team twice to earn the championship and an automatic bid to the National Regional in Midland next week.  The Adrian team hasn't won the state title since 2001, and I was present in 2002 when they lost to Midland in the title game in Menominee, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula when my son Eric and his teammates completed a great season.

This weekend's tournament victory was simply a joy to be involved with.  Dave Stanifer and the Tournament Committee, as always, went above and beyond with their preparations and execution of providing a fabulous tournament atmosphere for all of the six teams involved.  There is a tremendous amount of selflessness involved with Dave and his staff in performing so many tasks that often go unnoticed.

What gives me the greatest joy though, is the performance of the players with whom I am fortunate enough to share the dugout.  This team has earned a 29-10 record after beginning the season making about two mental errors per inning (that's roughly how I remember that first weekend) back in June.  As individuals and as a team, these guys have gradually improved from game to game and week to week.

They seem to have bought into the idea that a baseball season should be a gradual climb from point A to point B, with some peaks and valleys that undoubtedly occur during the season.  They are now peaking and playing their best baseball when it really matters the most, in the post-season.

This weekend's play was highlighted by some timely hitting, especially by hitters near the bottom of the batting order.  In addition, they played great defense and had outstanding pitching.  In three nine-inning games, the pitchers averaged 11 pitches per inning.  That is a tough enough task for one guy to accomplish in one well pitched game, but to have a staff of pitchers do so for an entire tournament is indeed a great accomplishment.

As a coach, there were two major highlights to the weekend.  The first one was the performance of Phil Carey, a 2014 Tecumseh High School player, who was almost perfect in throwing a one-hitter against Midland on Friday night.  Phil gave up a ground ball single on the first pitch of the fourth inning, and then allowed only one walk to a hitter with one out in the 9th inning.  It almost seemed to be cheating to watch him carve up the Berryhill hitters.  Phil was named the tournament MVP yesterday!!

The other highlight was to see and feel the sense of happiness, satisfaction, and pride in the fifteen players.  They don't even have to tell anybody.......they are champions, forever!!!

As for me, I am grateful, as always!!