For the past three summers, I’ve had the honor of coaching my son Mario’s baseball team with the Legends travel program, in Washington Township, NJ. Legends Gold 10U travels all over New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland and is a member of the Tri-State Elite Baseball league.
During this time, I’ve consciously tried to be a steady source of encouragement to my son and the other boys on the team while doing my “Coach Fredo” * duties warming up kids, keeping the stats, game planning, and training. Baseball is more than just a sport. It is an opportunity to educate, motivate, and celebrate with my son and his friends — while showing, by example, solid life and leadership skills. I admit it’s hard getting up on Sunday mornings at 6 AM to drive to a game for what could be another 12-hour day in the heat, but I know in my heart it’s worth it. Not only has it given my son and me precious time together but, last week, we won our 10U League Championship, as well as our second 11U tournament, beating kids who are a year or two older than our boys. It was a proud moment for all.
I think the greatest lesson for me is how much coaching a youth baseball team is like my professional life. People skills are essential. Dealing with the kids, coaches, parents, and umpires (I admit to struggling with this one) is a constant battle. Time management becomes even more important with all the practice, trainers, games, and travel.
If you have the chance and the ability to be able to do this with your child, it is worth it. And if you’re already a team parent, remember – they’re just kids. Their college scholarship is not on the line and most coaches are volunteers committed to helping kids.
I’m including a team photo in this message. My boy is the one in the front row and the shin guards. He’s one of our catchers. Gavin/Solmonese is a proud sponsor of Legends 10U Gold. I really appreciate our firm’s support of my son’s team.
Have a great summer, everyone!
*To quote the great John Cazale, “Send Fredo off to do this, send Fredo to take care of that…take care of some little unimportant night club here, and there; pick somebody up at the airport.” Somebody has to do it for the team. I was a football player who moonlighted with baseball growing up, so the other guys have a little more.