A Yankees fan

In late March my youngest son, Jacob, decided he wanted to make the move up to the mini-mite league this year, as he had grown tired of the younger t-ball league. Amy and I agreed to allow him to move up to this pitching machine league, even though we knew he would be one of the youngest on the team.

Following try-outs we learned that Jacob had been placed on the Yankees. “The Yankees!!!???” I scowled at the thought of my boy playing on a team named after a Major League Baseball team that I loathe. When we found out what team Jacob was to play on we also learned that no coach had volunteered to take on the responsibility of leading the team. At that time I told Recreation Director Wilton McCall that I could possibly help another parent or coach with the team when my schedule allowed.

As the time arrived for the first practice, Jacob and I arrived at the recreation fields and I asked one of the recreation department employees if they had found a coach for the Yankees. He said no and proceeded to hand me all of the equipment for the team and told me the team was scheduled to be practicing in the batting cages that day. Have you ever heard the old saying, ‘You just got railroaded’?

Jacob and I arrived at the cages and I immediately started asking parents if they could coach the team or if they knew someone that could coach. I soon learned that many could not due to work schedules, etc. Daniel Carter, a parent of one of the players, expressed that he could assist in the coaching responsibilities when he was off from work. So following that practice it was decided that Daniel and I would take on the task of coaching the young Yankees, along with some of the other parents and grandparents throughout the season.

Now keep in mind it had been years since I coached a team and I was apprehensive about the prospect of becoming a coach again, especially with my schedule here at the newspaper. The last thing I wanted to do was to let these young men down due to my hectic schedule. But some how we managed to work it out so that I was able to make every practice and game during the season.

As the season progressed, I soon realized that we had a special group of young athletes on the team. Every single kid on the team could hit the ball. This is very unusual at this early of an age (7-8); usually there are a few players on any recreation team that struggles to make contact with the ball at this age.

After an overall great season we played our last game on Saturday. If the Yankees could pull off a win, I knew we would win the league championship. The boys came to play and defeated the other team in convincing fashion to capture the championship. Congratulations Yankees.

Thanks to all the players and parents. Thanks for reminding me how much fun and rewarding it can be to coach again. To you parents and volunteers out there, the Appling County Recreation Department is always looking for volunteers to help with youth athletics. Win or lose, volunteering can be very rewarding. If you would like more information about volunteering, contact the Appling County Recreation Department at 367-8190.