Coaching Matters
We all have that one person that stands out in our memory. Whether a coach, a teacher, a club leader, a Girl Scout/Boy Scout leader, a church leader…someone at some point in our life, if we’re blessed, we come across someone who truly impacts our lives in ways we don’t appreciate in the moment. But looking back, you see it clear as day.
I don’t know if Jake will see it this way, but I know the 1 coach (outside of his Dad) who made a profound difference in his life.
We joined a new Little League in Spring of 2019, fresh off of a great season where Jake was coming into his own in his previous Youth Baseball league. He was 1 out away from his team winning the league championship the year before. He was swinging the bat really well and learned he had an arm that could throw runners out from Right field. But he struggled when we joined the new league - new people, new coaches, new everything. He was also going through a growth spurt and his body was confusing him. After a slow start, he finished the season strong enough to be confident.
The next season was Spring 2020, which was cut short, 1 game into the season. So we didn’t have the chance to build on the strong finish to last season. While Jake thrived in quite a lot of what covid threw at us with online school and moving friendships to online-only, the return to normal proved a bit tougher. When baseball started up again in Spring of 2021, we had another slow start. He finished strong. Coach Pop did what he does - worked a plan with the team that had them peaking at the right time. The bottom of the lineup that used to be a quick 1-2-3 outs was now holding their own, flipping the lineup at the right time to get the top of the order up at the end of the game to drive in those baserunners for the win.
Jake did what he did as a quiet leader, swinging the bat well at key moments, making plays in the field, and doing things that don’t show up on a stat sheet but help a team to gel and win.
He was starting to make a name for himself, but he was definitely raw and under the radar. All Stars seemed like a longshot at best. The 11U group was pretty deep, as we had merged 2 Little Leagues and both had a lot of talent at this level. But the coach saw something in Jake. We woke up the morning after the All Star names were revealed to find a sign in our front yard that Jake had made the team.
He was thrilled, a bit in disbelieve, but thrilled either way. He put his head down and went to work. He was at every practice, working his butt off, having fun, and getting better. He was his usual coach-able self. Doing whatever the team needed him to do. He knew he was on the team for his speed, and he embraced that role. Sure it was limited, but he was doing what he does.
We won the first round of the tournament and moved on to Districts. Jake started out on the bench, pinch hitting and getting his minimum time in the field. He contributed with a few hits and a few plays. He was making the most of the time he was given when his number was called. Mostly, though, he was on the team to help make the other kids better, to challenge them to be better, and to give them a big arm to try and run against. He was also on the team for his speed. He had growth spurt and found his stride - literally. His 1st to 3rd time was impressive. So he pinch ran a few times, advanced the bases, scored some runs. Again, he did everything the team asked of him.
We lost the 1st game of Districts but won the 2nd. We went into a must-win 3rd game. And, guess who was on the starting lineup hitting 4th and starting in Right field? Our guy! He delivered. He did his thing, and started walking a little taller, and a little prouder.
We wound up losing that game, and getting bounced from the tournament. But, what a fun ride it was.
It’s all because a coach saw something in our guy that went beyond the stat sheet. This coach had vision beyond the “raw” talent and saw what could be. He also saw the quiet leader, the labrador who loves the grind. He also did a masterful job of putting him in the right positions at the right time. He kept teaching him along the way, using dugout time valuably - assessing the other teams, talking about in-game situations, talking through baserunning and position play. He put our guy in a position to succeed when the moment was just right, and our guy answered the call. We are eternally grateful for that vision, that support, and that invitation for our guy to join the All Star team.
Since then, he’s gone on to make his 12U team as a bonafide leader after a regular season where he was a true All Star. He’s joined a travel team and done his thing. He’s been captain of several flag football teams. He walks a bit taller. He carries himself more confidently. He still works hard, encourages his team, makes sure everyone is included and is bringing their best. And he’s doing it with a smile - sometimes a bark.
If Coach Niels doesn’t see something in him that 11U season, who knows if this would have happened? Who knows if our guy sees in himself what everyone else now sees?
I hope our guy remembers this coach and the impact he had on the trajectory of his sports career. I also hope that when he becomes a coach, as he’s destined to be, that he can have a similar lasting impact on someone that positively changes the course of their life- in sports or otherwise.
There is no greater honor than to be earn the name Coach in perpetuity. Our family will forever know our 11U coach as Coach.
