Fatherhood and/vs. Coaching

I have the great honor of being an assistant coach for my son Isaac's baseball team the Mets.  While Ike is still just learning the game of baseball, in his first year in an organized league, I on the other hand am returning to the game I loved as a kid.  So faithful readers, I wanted to share some of the lessons I am learning, while trying to a teacher of America's Pasttime.

The word "Coach" at times have more weight than the word "Dad".  Let me explain: part of our practices consists of hitting baseball in a batting cage.  Lined up along that cage is the dad of whatever kid is hitting.  And like everything else, Dad knows best.  So in typically father-like fashion a dad will shout instructions to his son in the cage such as "don't step out", "swing level" or "keep your head in".  All great pieces of hitting advice, usually met with a glare from the player that without saying a word says more than enough.  Oddly enough, as "coach", I can say those same things and low and behold Coach Jeff is a genius and ball comes flying off the bat.

But "Coach" does not trump "Dad" when dad is the coach.  In this same routine of batting practice, I will try to help my son Isaac only to be met with the same beaming glare that every other dad has recieved.  But here is the kicker, if one of the other coaches says it, low and behold, the swing is fixed. 

What I have learned is that between the chalk lines of third and first base, coaches have the opportunity to get through to players/sons where dads do not have permission to.  But in life it is still the responsibilities of a father to keep their sons and daughters between the foul poles and in play.  I am thankful for those helping Isaac become a better baseball player.  I am thankful to help other dad's sons become better baseball players, but I am most grateful to be the coach of the game called life for all three of my children. 

Go Mets!