OPINION: Thanks Coach!

You could see it suddenly just click.

Dressed in a one-size-too-big shirt and a helmet that was sinched up a bit too tight, a first-time t-ball player takes their first swing.

And hit the tee.

Undeterred, they set back up and with a little coaching about their feet and “get that back elbow up,” they take another crack at it.

And smack the tee, knocking it over while the ball rolls a few feet away.

A big smile from the athlete and they get all set up again while the coach puts everything back in place.

3… 2… 1… A swing and a belt…

OK, it’s a dribbler down the first base line, but in that moment, it feels like a 425-foot bomb to straight-away centrefield.

The athlete drops their bat and dashes to first base, turns around and the joy in their face says it all – they’re starting to like this game of baseball.

This is my first National Coaches Week as a coach, and I can honestly say it’s THAT look which makes any coach absolutely melt.

ANSWERING THE CALL

I actually didn’t know if I wanted to be a coach.

When my son first said “yes” to trying baseball in the summer of 2025, I acted as a bit of a “helper” (not even really an assistant coach) just to help keep everyone on track.

Having worked in events and radio, I knew my voice could carry and I could get people’s attention. But kids?

So I tried to stay hands off for the most part.

With the “Blue Jays Bump” in effect during the offseason and a massive surge in registration for baseball across the country, the race was on to find enough coaches this spring.

I saw the repeated emails from my local association hoping to get a few more people to sign up as coaches and, after giving it some thought, realized that if I wasn’t part of the solution, I would be part of the problem.

So I signed up.

LEARNING ON THE FLY

If you think players get the jitters coming to their first practice, I wouldn’t be shocked if most first-time youth coaches feel it even more.

Are the players going to like me? Am I going to be too strict? Do I have all the paperwork done? Have I planned practice enough?

Maybe the most important question that stuck in the back of my mind throughout was: can I get them hooked on baseball enough that they want to come back?

Because the focus is on skill development and not on the score, it made it a lot easier in my books. In the batter’s box, my goal was to simply make them understand where they wanted the bat to hit the ball (the “sweet spot”). In the field, it was more about trying to track that ball down and throw it in the right direction.

You make little games or competitions out of everything. You challenge them. You all laugh and smile.

You also have to let them be kids. Let them say silly things. Be a little crazy (within reason). You have to be okay with the idea that they’re attention isn’t going to be 100 percent on you most of the time.

But when they are looking at you, soaking in something you say, then they have that moment where everything comes together, it’s magic.

You celebrate the victories. Learn from the losses. And most of all, have fun.

A TIP OF THE CAP

I’m now just putting the wraps on my second “season” (we had a spring season and then a summer/fall season) as a coach and, honestly, it feels like I’ve learned more than the kids have.

Especially as they’re a little older (I’ve moved up with my son from t-ball to coach-pitch) in this second season, I’ve learned so much about that one-on-one time with each athlete and how it benefits them.

I’ve learned that, because they’re older, you need to be more prepared because they’re getting into the groove and their skillset is just a little more advanced. I’ve also learned a lot about patience and conflict resolution when kids start jockeying for position in the lineup for the next drill.

More than anything else, being a coach has really driven home a point that I’ve long believed: we have the opportunity to inspire these young athletes to play a game we love ourselves.

We’re also showing them what it means to be a good teammate and friend because long after we hang up the competitive glove and bat, interpersonal skills will stick with us for the rest of our days. Cheering each other in the biggest moments or picking each other up in the lowest moments is what sports is all about.

Whether you were a first-time coach this season like I was or someone who has been giving back to the game for decades, thank you. The athletes and their families are forever grateful that you took time out of your summer to teach them a thing or two about baseball.

And on a personal note: To the athletes and families who were part of the Orange Crush and the Green Hornets in Airdrie in 2026, thank YOU for letting me be your coach for a season. And a tip of the cap to Steve, Andrew and Cole for being the best co-coaches a guy could ask for.