Called Out of Retirement

I’ve been called out of retirement. Well sort of called out. A couple of years back I decided it was time for me to retire from coaching. I’ve coached recreation sports for over 30 years.

I’ve coached all three of my kids and now my four-year-old granddaughter Emma is my newest athlete. Chances are she will be a lot like her mom. I once was coaching her and the ball was hit in her direction, but she and another girl were too busy talking.

I said, “Get the ball!” They both looked at it and then begin to debate on who would actually get it.

Times have changed since those early days. The children now know more than the coaches and often have not been taught respect for adults. Parents typically have gotten worse in their behavior. There are more future MLB, NBA, and NFL stars at this time than ever before in history to hear parents tell it.

I have always insisted that all kids play equal time. I’ve also insisted that all sit the bench at equal time. Kids can understand this but not the parents. One time in Monroe I substituted for my starting running back. At the time we were only in the second quarter and we were leading by 21 points.

Randy the substitute had rather sit on the bench than go out and let someone tackle him. However his dad thought his son would be the Herschel Walker of the 90s. Just as soon as he went onto the field Baybay came off. Just as soon as Baybay came off the field his Mom came on.

She was an unusually large lady and she approached me like a mad bull. She proceeded to yell at me and to tell me that Baybay was the star of the league and Baybay does not ever sit on the bench. Baybay learned that fall that he would sit like everyone else.

This time I enter the sports arena with four and five year olds playing T-ball. They are so innocent and precious and they want to have a good time.

I remember a five-year-old little boy named Tommy 23 years ago. During his first days of practice it was easy to see that he was a live wire. He was full of energy and quick with answers and volunteering to be first. The field where we practiced set in the center of our church property with a house to one side; another on the opposite side. The other two sides consisted of a highway and the church. Tommy was up to bat and he hit the ball to third. We had been teaching them to run through first base and he crossed the bag just as he had been taught. It was a coach’s proud moment until I saw he didn’t stop.

He continued to run off the field and to the house on the first base side. I began hollering, “Tommy come back here.” He went around the house and disappeared out of sight. I ran to the house and turned the corner, only to see Tommy sitting on the back deck talking to my neighbors. They said he ran up on the deck where they were grilling out and said, “My name’s Tommy, I’m hungry, what’s for supper?

Baybay and Tommy are just two of the hundreds of kids I have coached over the years. Each team, each year has given me wonderful memories and added many stories to my life. I’m looking forward to this season.