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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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Posted: July/09/2016 at 14:36 |
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Just wanted to talk about some kids baseball.
Years ago, because Lovie has a passion for baseball like I do. We decided to enroll Hayden into playing baseball. Like many he started off playing Tee-Ball. And he loved it. Here are a few moments paused in time. First Team: Boston Red Sox Following season was with the Los Angels Anaheim Angels After that is when things changed for me. As we have done in the past, we signed Hayden up to play. And the coach reached out to us, like in previous season of who he was and when he would like to have an orientation and practice. Although when we showed up for practice, our coach was a Grandfather of one children on the team. No problem, however as I noticed how many children there were and then did a head count, there was 16 kids on his team. Meaning that every inning, there would be children sitting on the bench. It's hard enough to keep their attention for an hour, let alone how long it takes to get three outs while they sit on the bench. Thus prompting my call to the YMCA where I spoke with the director, who promptly volunteered me to coach a team! HA! sure I said, What do you need from me? So after a background investigation, and some children training, I'm a coach. Coaching has really molded me to become more patient with kids. So we are off to a running start and there were a couple parents who offered to give aid and help out on the field during games and practices to help teach these children how to hit, throw, ect... My teams: First Team, Atlanta Braves: Second Team, San Francisco Giants: Most off all the kids parents requested that if I were to coach again to let them know. Which I did and they all returned and we had two newbies who joined the team. Now here's a funny story. Because myself and coaching staff all had beards, the director of the sports program thought it would prove fitting to make our team that year the SanFran Giants. So, as Ted knows, I'm not one to just let a joke die, like the Leatherman you have Ted, you know the one in the front compartment of your four wheeler? LOL Sorry, segwayed in to left field there. I had a friend cross-stitch some beards for all the kids to wear on picture day. Needless to say it was very funny and everyone loved it. Even the other teams, they all thought it was funny. Third Team, KC Royals, but with a twist this time. This year kicked off coach pitch. A whole new dynamic, for them and for me. Coach Pitch! So like the previous seasons, I reached out to the parents to inform them of who I was and that I would be coaching their kids. Now I wasn't as fortunate to have everyone return. Many of these kids are doing one more year of Tee-Ball before graduating to the next league. Although I'm blessed to have some great kids on this team. As a I noted earlier, the YMCA is about learning and having fun, so that is what I have done. Special trips to the batting cages with the kids, water gun fights after games and limited one hour practices once a week. This weeks practice was no different from any other how it started. Although mid-way through, a coach approached and asked how long we would be? I told him about an hour...he said cool and started to walk off. I then stopped him and asked, who he coached for, because I had never seen him before at any of the games. He then said he coached a select team, they practice three times a week, two hours a practice and play 3-5 tournaments on Saturdays! Dang, I thought, they are hard core, which then prompted me to ask...Hey man, how do you feel about scrimmaging my YMCA squad? Are you serious bro? Yes sir, very serious, my kids just want to play, I replied. He said you're on. So I rallied the kids on me, explained that we were going to play a game, listen to me for the plays and let's have fun. So the other team is batting, I tell my kids where to go, and calling the plays, first inning they are up and got some runs in, but with our turn to bat, they underestimated the power some of my boys have and were chasing balls hit to the outfield. We hit out line up and then took the field, they could never get three outs on us. After just a couple innings, I thanked the other coach and he asked same time next week? With a grin, of course I agreed to the friendly match up. As I walked up to the dug out, I asked to kids to get hands in on me. While they waited on the count down, I explained to them who they played. A SELECT BASEBALL TEAM! and they held their ground against a team who plays USSSA Youth Baseball. Then encouraging them because they played exceptionally well and began to talk to each other on the field. Needless to say, I was very impressed and excited with how they conducted themselves on the field. My hope is that these kids, for one, learn to play/love an American pass time. Also that, I can personally exhibit character win or lose that is becoming and the recognize that. Finally that they had a good time. Because if it isn't fun, what's the point? As the season moves forward, I will continually update this thread. Please add to it with your stories as well. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Awesome story, Sky Mac. Can't wait to hear you tell it again!
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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In all seriousness Sky, that's awesome! This is great on multiple levels -- you're not only a good role model for these kids, but you're teaching them the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, hard work, being humble in victory and accepting disappointment in defeat.
Loved the beard photo!
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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Skylar, Good job. Ted if the Leatherman story is any where near as good as Bill's green pickle bucket story, It needs to be shared.
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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👍👍👍 Great work Sky!!!
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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Thanks pal! They experienced defeat the first couple of games. Although after some talking and diligent work in practice, we won our next game, to the point where the umpire evoked the mercy rule (10 Run Lead). At the end of that game, I explained to keep there composure but shake hands and tell every player good game. Which I was proud to watch each of them do so.
The last hog hunt we did at Ted's lease, recall that? I had met up with Ted to do some work down there, I.E, filling feeders, fixing timers, ect... One of the feeders was somewhat messed up and Ted needed some pliers and a screw drivers. Well, having it handy, I wiped out the Leatherman tool to help facilitate getting the job done. After we were done, we moved on. While getting ready to go, we put the tools in the front compartment of four wheeler. At the end of the day I headed home, forgetting my tool. Since then, I have visited Ted to go fishing, photography, ect... Each time while on the way to where we are going and telling one another, "Hey, don't forget to get your Leatherman" "Hey man, don't let me forget to get the Leatherman our of your four wheeler" Needless to say during all the excitement from hanging out, I have continually forgot to get my Leatherman. Luckily it's in good hands. And, it give me that much more of an excuse to go and visit Brenham.
Thanks Skip. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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One of these days when Sky Mac and I are both in geriatric homes, I'm gonna have my grandkids gold plate that Leatherman tool, mount it to a walnut plaque, and get Sky Mac's grandkids to present it to him on his 90th birthday...since I'll be too old to bring it to him myself...
...and given that I obviously can't remember to get it to him each time I see him in the present day even without being afflicted by Alzheimers.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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Tuesday's game was dramatic, but we were not going to be intimated.
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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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It was a sad day as a coach, because I am losing one of our team mates(Third from the right), who is moving to Georgia.
You can see in the picture I took, I have a sandlot of characters in the squad. |
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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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Baseball is in full swing again, this go around, locally we have a new league in the county that our family is familiar with, called the Miracle League.
This is an inclusive play league, where those who are less fortunate or disabled can play. My nephew Austin has been apart of the DFW league, whose field is in north Arlington, for eleven years. The have a unique turf field. It is painted to echo an baseball field, just scaled way down. In Waxahachie, the league was introduced this year and we are building a similar facility for these kids. Currently the city was kind enough to loan a field to us to play/practice on weekly. The last two weeks we have been teaching, throwing, swinging, and other mechanics to playing baseball. All of which these guys have picked up really quickly. We are still looking for more children with special needs to join the league, however we are having a great time. Here's a couple photos from around the diamond. This is Arthur. He has one speed, with lots of torque. We are working with him not to pass the runner in front of him, lol. He's very competitive and loves knocking the ball out of the park. This is Jarrod. he's a sweet boy, who isn't one who favors being in public, but I have warmed up to him. He's really beginning to come out of his shell. Jarrod, with his older brother. Proudly displaying his new bat. On the right, is Lexy with her sister. Another growing fan of playing baseball. Hayden was helping me behind home plate, snagging foul balls and throwing them back to the pitcher. My F-I-L with our nephew Austin. Huge Texas Ranger's fan, but in the league has been a loyal Royals players for several years. When he comes up to the plate, they nicknamed him the hammer. In Arlington, all the buddies call out big hitter, because Austin has been known to hit balls over the fence for grand slams. Last year, on Hayden's team, we had a mutual friend named Luke who has a brother who wanted to play so badly. He has aspergers. However he is playing with us in the league and is super excited. I cannot wait to see these guys develop skills and play the game. Anyone have kids swinging the stick this year?
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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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Season opener this year resulted in a loss, however this is our first year playing kid pitch!
Here's some photos from our first game. Since that game, I have not made time to take more pictures. Next game I will be though. That game was not an uncommon start for our boys. Seems like every season opener our boys have to loose the first game before the sleeping giant is awakened and then they play with fierce aggression and a never quit attitude, which makes winning even more sweet for the coaches. Current standings since our first game; Edited by Skylar McMahon - May/03/2018 at 16:13 |
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budperm
Optics Retard show me your sheep!! Joined: January/01/2009 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 31710 |
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That's an absolutely great thing your doing there Sky!!!
I'm betting you get just as much outa coaching as they do!!!! Well Done Sir!
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"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson |
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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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You know I do Bud.
We are looking for sponsors now. |
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