Leading. Learning along the way.

The 2011 season baseball season is upon us. Kind of. This Thursday marked our first winter workouts. The faces were different. The team, as yet, undefined. Nonetheless it was good to be back at it.

This also begins my third year with Ancaster Little League, second as a coach with the Major rep team. I think back to a few years ago when I decided to join the coaching ranks. I was new to the area and knew I wanted to get involved, but not really certain where. Going just by memory of my little league days I sent out emails to teams in the area. Some responded, others didn't. Somewhat blindly, I chose Ancaster. If only all the decisions I've made in my life could have turned out so well as this one!

In my time with the league I have been blessed to be around some great people - coaches, parents, and kids alike. I've learned from them and hopefully they've been able to take something from me.

Coaching is a definitely growing passion of mine. Years ago, all I wanted to do was play the game. That desire has faded - somewhat. While it's nice to step between the white lines every so often, the reward I get in coaching far surpasses that of any inning I may pitch. I learn as they learn and therein lies the great reward of it all. While they are learning and bettering themselves as players I'm doing much the same in my role as a leader.

Being a leader of these kids is not a responsibility I take lightly. I have more memories of my coaches than I do my teachers at that age I think. (my teachers just have nightmares of me). It's humbling to think that years down the road some of these kids will remember me and our time together whether it was something I said or something I did. But that, I suppose, is the weighty responsibility of leadership. I am always being watched. I may not always do or say the right thing, but I'm learning.