The "Tryouts For The Team" Story

It was an ordinary day. Time again for baseball tryouts. For many years I had coached little league baseball as well as girl's softball. Usually in connection with my kids, but I did coach baseball for a few years when I graduated from college. Also played and coached men's league softball, from slow pitch to fast pitch. But, the tryouts are always the most interesting. I remember when I wanted to start coaching little league age kids and searched for a sponsor that would pay the fee for the team and pay for some equipment. Finally found Hamilton Watch Company. They had a team a few years before and had disbanded because they lacked a coach. We were in business again. Did have to use the old equipment, but that didn't matter. We were going to play baseball! My passion!! My cousin's husband, Lance, volunteered to help. I wanted the BEST team in Lancaster so I held tryouts in the south end of the city so the minority kids would have a chance to tryout. Had over 50 kids tryout for a team that I planned to keep at 15. More on that team in another story. Most of my fun memories of tryouts deal with the Manheim Township Youth League. I was asked to coach a travel team and my first tryout was in the SNOW. Freezing cold and the snow was heavy enough at times that I almost lost the little guys in the outfield. But, we survived and had a very successful season. The following season we had tryouts for the travel team and this young fellow showed up with his tennis racket. Richard F. thought his mom had signed him up for tennis. He agreed to try the baseball bat, but it was clear he was afraid to stand in the batter's box. So Wayne, my all the time assistant, got a bat and put it behind him and told him he couldn't step back or he would fall over the bat. Thought it would make him stand in the box. Maybe best if he had fallen over the bat, because with the next pitch I threw, I hit him in the helmet. Never showed up again! Then there are the kids whose parents call and say their son can't make it because....of this or that....and when is the next tryout. I usually reply, "Next year, same time." Then there was the guy in an older age bracket who was trying out and during bunting exercises, I hit in the.....groin area. Not intentionally! After he got over the pain, he walked back to the bench and when he returned he had stuffed a towel in his pants for protection. Had everyone laughing. He made the team right there! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.