Ready to Play: A true story about God and Baseball.
October 14, 2011 by admin
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My son’s birth was a far from stress free. When my wife went into labor and my son’s head was peaking out, the doctor, who induced my wife hours before, was nowhere to be found. The nurses tried to remain calm, but I could tell that they were a bit concerned. After repeated calls to the doctor failed, one nurse called for an ER doctor as the other nurse gave my wife instructions. My son was halfway out when my wife’s doctor finally arrived for the final push.
The nurses cleaned my son, preformed the post birth Apgar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apgar_score) tests, wrapped my son in a blanket and handed him to my wife. My son passed the Apgar. My wife and I enjoyed our son’s first couple of hours and life was good. At 11pm, a nurse came into the room and asked if we wanted to have the baby sleep in the nursery or in our room with us. We were exhausted but we didn’t want our son to spend his first night alone. The nurse took our son for a routine check up before bedtime and said she would be back quickly. The check up was far from quick. After an hour, I called down to the nurses station to remind them that we wanted our son to sleep with us.
Moments later, a big doctor came into our room and told us that our son had a serious heart defect and that he was sorry. It was the kind of sorry that lacked any glimmer of hope at all. The doctor then informed us that our son needed to be rushed to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. My wife and I sat on the side of the bed holding each other dumbfounded and sad.
A few minutes later, the transport staff wheeled my son, who was inside an incubator, into our room so my wife could say goodbye. My wife wondered if it was going to be a final goodbye. After a tough labor, my wife was in no condition to leave the hospital, so I had to follow my new born son alone. Leaving my wife when she needed me most was one of the most heart wrenching things I’ve ever done. As I was walking out the door, my wife struggled to say words I will never forget. She said, “He will never get to play baseball.” Tears filled my eyes as those words echoed in my head.
We found out that we were having a boy twenty weeks into the pregnancy at the ultrasound appointment. From that moment on, I couldn’t wait to teach my son how to play baseball, my favorite sport. I looked forward to buying him a baseball glove and I planned on making him a lefty hitter even if he were right handed. Those dreams seemed to be shattered.
At about 1 am, I left my wife’s side and walked in silence down empty hospital hallways toward the exit to the garage. I found my car and started to drive. Though tear filled eyes, I struggled to see the directional signs that would lead me out of the parking garage . I eventually found the meeting place and parked behind the ambulance that would to take my son to Children’s Hospital. The night was eerily dark and quiet. I could hear my heart beating as I sat in silence waiting for the journey to begin. The ambulance started to roll and the red lights started flash but there were no sirens. To kill the depressing silence, I reached for the radio knob and turned on the FOX, a classic radio station.
Well, beat the drum and hold the phone – the sun came out today!
We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field.
A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man;
Anyone can understand the way I feel.
Oh, put me in, Coach – I’m ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach – I’m ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield…
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Editor’s Note: Fran’s son went on to play baseball and several other sports. A recent quote from Fran’s StatsDad blog, “Today is the 285th day of the year and my two kids have played in 236 games and participated in 137 practices. That’s 373 youth sports events in 285 days.”
Fran Dicari is the over-scheduled father of over-scheduled athletic kids and author of the youth sports blog StatsDad.com. He’s a coach, a scorekeeper and an amateur sports photographer. He’s also an executive and partner at Barefoot Proximity, the digital marketing agency that created ManoftheHouse.com and Coachhub.com.
Youth Basketball Coaching Special: Save time, reduce stress and get the most from your team. 30 complete practice plans for the season, an award certificate maker, coaching forms, and more! Go to www.coachingwhiz.com
12-year-old Raises Money for Needy Playing Baseball
June 4, 2011 by admin
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With every swing of the bat for his baseball team, 12 year-old Elliot Mast knows that there’s something more on the line than his batting average or his team’s won-loss record. No, his parents aren’t rewarding him with cash or a Dairy Queen visit for a hit. Elliot’s designed a fundraiser to help needy kids that’s linked to his baseball performance.
As he indicates on his website,
“For Every Hit I Hit, For Every Homerun I Hit, And For Every Strike Out I Pitch, I Will Raise Money For The Kids At Children’s Hospital Of Pittsburgh!”
Last year, he raised over $5,000. As of May 28, 2011, his total this season is a little over $500. With 6 home runs, 11 hits, and 40 strike outs pitched; it doesn’t appear as if Elliot is any slump. But, he could use a few more sponsors. Go to www.elliotmast.blogspot.com and help Elliot make a difference.
Sports Feel Good Stories caught up with Elliot to ask him about his program — as not every 12-year-old has raised $5,000 for other kids.
Sports Feel Good Stories: How much money do you hope to raise this year?
25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans — Be ready for every practice in 5 minutes and get the most from your team! With complete plans for each practice, you’ll be ready to go, and can relax and enjoy the season. Go to www.coachingwhiz.com
INTERVIEW: John Blissenbach, author of The Well-Prepared Coach: 25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans
February 28, 2011 by admin
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John Blissenbach has coached all levels of youth baseball from kindergarten through high school. He has coached and managed championship youth & American Legion baseball teams. He started as a high school assistant varsity/JV head coach working with varsity head coach Hank Mauer (Great Uncle of Minnesota Twins All‐Star Catcher, Joe Mauer ).
In addition to coaching baseball, John has also been a coach for his 4 children’s softball, football, basketball, track & soccer teams. During the past 20 years he has coached more than 50 youth teams. Sports Feel Good Stories caught up with John to discuss his new book: The Well-Prepared Coach: 25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans. The book can be purchased at www.coachingwhiz.com
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John Blissenbach Interview
Sports Feel Good Stories: On the cover of your new book, The Well-Prepared Coach — 25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans, you write that it is perfect for 4th – 8th grade baseball teams. What type of person that will benefit the most from this book?
Author John Blissenbach
John Blissenbach: As I was writing the book, I was thinking of the reader as a volunteer coach that played baseball or has been a fan of the game, may have some experience coaching but little to no experience with this age group, has a child on the team, and has little free time due to having a full-time job outside of coaching. Most importantly, I envisioned a coach that is dedicated to providing a positive, structured learning experience for each of the players on the team.
Sports Feel Good Stories: What type of coaching philosophy have you attempted to incorporate into the book?
John Blissenbach: I believe baseball practices should include the 4 Fs; they should be fun, fast-moving, loaded with instruction on the fundamentals & use the entire field whenever possible. In order to accomplish these things, I suggest practices include stations so that multiple things can go on at the same time, position-specific as well as team-wide skill development, and contests where players can compete with each other on a wide variety of batting & fielding skills.
Sports Feel Good Stories: Is there any one coach or group of coaches that influenced your philosophy & understanding of the game?
John Blissenbach: I have learned something from nearly every baseball coach or instructor that I have encountered since I first began coaching in 1979. The list includes coaches at every level of the game from kindergarten coaches to professionals. I have attended clinics put on by youth baseball associations, high school & college coaches, as well as major league players & coaches. I have also learned a great deal from simply watching the practices of other coaches. All of these learning opportunities coupled with my own on-field coaching experiences influenced my philosophy and ultimately the contents of the book.
Sports Feel Good Stories: What are some of the biggest challenges facing a volunteer baseball coach?
John Blissenbach: In my opinion, the two biggest challenges are time & experience. Volunteers typically lead busy personal lives and have little time to think about, much less prepare a detailed practice plan. Plus the time for practice is limited. Fourth through eighth grade are important years in the development of a player. There is a lot to cover during a season & there never seems to be enough time to cover everything. Also, if a coach played baseball, they most likely have played only a few of the positions. However, as a coach you are responsible for the instruction & development for all nine positions on the field.
Sports Feel Good Stories: What have you enjoyed most about coaching kids in the fourth through eighth grade age group?
John Blissenbach: Coaching this age group can be the most challenging as well as the most fulfilling of any age group. Kids in this group are diverse in their size, skills and their understanding of the game. During this period they can experience tremendous physical growth; by eighth grade some reach their adult height. From a baseball perspective, players develop faster in this age group than any other. They are able to learn & execute all aspects of the game. What they learn during this period will serve as the foundation that future coaches will build upon.
Sports Feel Good Stories: By writing the book, what do you hope to accomplish?
John Blissenbach: I am primarily hoping this book helps coaches provide their players with a positive experience playing baseball. I also hope coaches find it to be a huge time-saver. I know volunteer coaches contribute endless hours and have little free time as a result. I hope the book makes their job a whole lot easier.
Sports Feel Good Stories: Are there any other final words you would like to pass on to volunteer coaches?
John Blissenbach: The one word I would like to pass on is respect. Volunteer coaches are role models for kids. By showing respect for the game, the players, the opponents, the umpires & the fans you will have a huge influence on the kids on your team. One way for you to show respect for the game is to show up at every practice with a plan. Regardless of whether you create your own plan or use the plans in The Well-Prepared Coach — 25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans, your players will be better prepared because of your efforts.
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See a sample practice plan from John Blissenbach’s The Well-Prepared Coach: 25 Youth Baseball Plans at www.coachingwhiz.com
The Walk Off Homer: the most exciting play in baseball
August 19, 2010 by admin
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A triple play, stealing home, a grand slam, an inside-the-park home run or a walk off home run? What’s the most exciting play in baseball? Below are a couple of videos to support the walk off home run option.
A walk off home run is a homer that ends the game. Because of baseball’s rules, the home team bats last, so the hit must come from a home team player. The walk off home run happens in the final inning, usually the 9th inning, but sometimes in extra innings.
The original derivation of the term “walk off” referred to the pitcher having to walk off the mound after losing the game. It’s common meaning nowadays is more associated with the celebration on the field of the hitter and his teammates, while the home crowd cheers.
The most exciting play in baseball? Perhaps. How about a walk off, grand slam home run? As of 2010, it has happened 24 times in Major League Baseball. It’s referred to as the “ultimate grand slam.”
Bobby Thompson and “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
Twins Jim Thome’s walk off homer against the White Sox
Front page Photo credit: Information |Description=Scott Hairston rounding the bases after hitting a 3-run walk-off home run for the Padres in 2007. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=270919125) via Wikimedia Commons
25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans — Be ready for every practice in 5 minutes and get the most from your team! With complete plans for each practice, you’ll be ready to go, and can relax and enjoy the season. Go to www.coachingwhiz.com
Spider-Man Makes the Catch
August 9, 2010 by admin
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Hiroshima Carp’s Masato Akamatsu climbed the wall to rob Yokohoma Bay Stars’ Shuichi Murata of a home run. Murata’s shot to centerfield had homerun written all over it until Akamatsu’s heroics. Where does this catch rank with the all-time great catches? Watch the video and you decide.
The Catch
25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans — Be ready for every practice in 5 minutes and get the most from your team! With complete plans for each practice, you’ll be ready to go, and can relax and enjoy the season. Go to www.coachingwhiz.com
A lesson in sportsmanship — baseball’s defining moment this season
August 2, 2010 by admin
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga was just one out away from pitching a perfect game. In baseball history, only 20 perfect games have been thrown.
The 27th batter Galarraga faced was Cleveland Indians Jason Donald. Donald hit a grounder between first and second that was fielded by Detroit’s first baseman who threw to Galarraga, who had moved from the mound to cover first. Although close, it was apparent that Donald had not beaten the throw. However, first base umpire Jim Joyce saw it differently and called the runner safe. TV replays showed that the runner was indeed out. Joyce had made an error, and it was a big error as a perfect game was on the line.
After Galarraga retired the next batter ending the game, Joyce immediately went to check the video. He realized immediately that he had made the wrong call. He quickly admitted his mistake and personally apologize to Galarraga who he had deprived of the perfect game.
Joyce’s honesty mixed well with Galarraga’s grace. Galarraga didn’t protest on the field, but simply smiled. After Joyce apologized, Galarraga told reporters,
“He really feel bad. He probably feel more bad than me. Nobody’s perfect, everybody’s human. I understand. I give a lot of credit to the guy saying, “Hey, I need to talk to you because I really say I’m sorry.” That don’t happen. You don’t see an umpire after the game say ‘I’m sorry.’”
Joyce was scheduled to call the following day’s game in Detroit, but given the circumstances was told he could take the day off. Joyce chose to face what could be a hostile crowd and call the next game. Joyce, expecting boos, heard applause.
It seemed that the good sportsmanship was contagious as Detroit fans cheered the umpire.
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My nominations for the biggest story lines by sport this year:
NFL: Saints win Super Bowl
NCAA Basketball: Butler’s Cinderella run to Championship Game
NBA: LeBron’s Decision
MLB: Sportsmanship displayed after Joyce’s missed call
The Play
Sports Illustrated — A Different Kind Of Perfect — Tom Verducci (with special reporting by Melissa Segura)
25 Youth Baseball Practice Plans — Be ready for every practice in 5 minutes and get the most from your team! With complete plans for each practice, you’ll be ready to go, and can relax and enjoy the season. Go to www.coachingwhiz.com
