Proud Moments

Coach May,

Awesome story. Choked up reading it. We are still in the play-offs and have snuck up on some people at 23-3 - we were State runners-up last year and lost every player to graduation except one. We are District Champions for D1 and regionals start next Friday with the final 16 D1 teams in the State playing for the State Championship. My son has the same type of attitude as your son. They are what they are - baseball players.

Oh guys - reading these stories is a good way to start my day. Coach May - congratulations to you and your team for a great year in more ways than one. Once again, you're some kinda coach and dad! Cleveland Dad - Your guys are playing some ball - may they continue to forge ahead!!!

Coach May - you have a truly special son and you should be proud.

My son's team only won 4 games this past season, but like your son, he was out the next day working to improve.

There was a two week gap between the end of H.S. and summer season tryouts and he was determined to keep practicing, even though he was pretty much a lock to make the team. His teammates thought he was nuts to practice - especially the two hour sessions we had (just the two of us) on the last two Sundays. But my son is determined to do what it takes to make himself a better player. And I too am proud of his dedication.

Coach May, congratulations on a GREAT SEASON! I know that your son will be focused on having a bunch of successful seasons. It is always hard when it ends. Only one team can end a season in every class with a win. Even knowing the odds, that is one of the biggest motivational factors. We are 22-5 on the year and have a 3 regular season games left. Then we start our post season.

GETS THE BLOOD FLOWING READING YOUR STORY.

Great story. Everybody thinks coaching is all about winning. Oh dont get me wrong winning is a lot more fun than losing. It is more about the preparation you put in to the goal of winning. I remember times when we won a championship and everybody was jumping around but then reality sets in and you realize it is over. the same when you get knocked out of the playoffs. You enter the game hoping you play again and the next thing you know you have the kids in front of you and especially the seniors it is over. they move on in their life. I admit it was always emotional for me as they meant so much. Forget the baseball stuff. they were part of my life and now they were not. People ask me what team i remembered the most. Well i remember all of them but there is one I look back and fondly remember. We had a very rough season. only won 5 out of 18 league games. there were some realy tough losses but what I remember the most was they were always on the field on time working hard. Sometimes I would get tied up with something and get to the field a few minutes late and they were hitting or fielding ground balls. Championships are great and I remember the ones we had but I "always" remember that team.

If it was all about winning or loosing games it just wouldnt be worth it to me. I have never met anyone that wanted to win more than me. I am a fierce competitor and I live for the competition. But when it is all said and done it is the relationships that you build with the players and them with you that stands the test of time. Seeing young boys come in and leave as young men and using baseball as a way to promote that growth is a huge part of what we do. Will your story is so true. Standing in front of those young men and knowing that that will be the last time that I will be able to coach them is a hard thing to handle. They are a big part of your life for four years and it is sad to see them move on. But I am proud that I could be a part of their lives.