Yesterday was our first day to start practice and it was also the first time in 5 years I have been on a baseball field. Last 2 years I was an assistant softball coach because I wanted to coach. When I was named athletic director it was slightly controversial because our former head coach wanted it and it created a rift between us so I stopped being an assistant coach in baseball because I didn't want to be a distraction to the guys. While it was the right decision it was TOUGH decision.
When the former HC retired at the end of last school year I told the principal I wanted to be considered for the job (it wasn't a secret). So myself and the assistant coach were interviewed and I got the job. This is my 10th year at this school and we have about 950 kids and haven't had a JV baseball team for a VERY long time - 15 plus years under the former HC. He always said kids weren't interested in playing JV and about 25 kids or less would show up for tryouts. My first thing I did as AD was go to all the sports who didn't have JV teams and tell them we needed to start them. All but one program did (baseball) and those sports have been getting better progressively.
First thing I did when I was named head coach was to get out as much as possible that we would be having a JV team. I was afraid the kids wouldn't come out and this would fail. Well yesterday we had 38 kids at tryouts with another 5 or 6 who will get a tryout because they couldn't be there for various reasons - after school drivers ED, one kid is wrestling for a state championship this weekend and a couple of sick kids - I was floored at how many kids came out. To paraphrase Field of Dreams - if you offer it they will come
Plus the fact I'm coaching baseball again is just energizing. I've never felt better in my life. I'm excited for the season.
