Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Last year was the first season I committed to coaching my oldest son’s baseball team.  Since my dad had coached me for 2 seasons, I decided to do the same for my son James.  During the season I realized James and I had the same perspective about baseball, it’s fun but in the end its only a game.

This year I decided to coach my middle child, Daniel.  After losing my job in January, I volunteered to be the head coach as long as I had a few assistant coaches.  The team I was suppose to coach had so many people sign up before our first practice that this group was split into 2 separate teams.  In the end, God knew what he was doing allowing my wife and I to coach our son together.

Now we will be taking our family out to 2 ball games a week, except we will be on the field, not along the sidelines.  Our coaching philosophy is simple: play hard, respective one another and have fun.  While I enjoy winning, my focus is on developing players and giving them a chance to play every position if they wish.  If players can prove to us they belong or are willing to make the improvements necessary, we will continue to give them opportunities to succeed.  As in the song, its not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.  Make the most of every opportunity, Ephesians 5:16.

by Jay Mankus