Ouch JT, A Couple of stories back at ya! Stay Focused !

Ouch, JT.

Not to divert, but can you ask Roberts
if he is planning to attend (or send
a rep) to the 1999 Bear Classic Tourney,
a Maryland Showcase for Our National Pastime?

Going back to your story.
Been there, and was lucky enough to
diffuse events to follow, (but it took a real big effort on my part).
In July 98, KC got picked up
by a 'baseball' guy, (that I nicknamed
"Woody' that's another great story),
for the for the 13U AAU Tourney Team
from a local Maryland County. KC was
the 'only' pickup. Same type
of noise levels heard by me from Mom's and Dad's, and even assistant coaches. I was
also very tuned to the situation that
could develop (and was praying that KC
would not, should not, could not get in the middle of this 'self serving' and destructive pettiness.

Without knowledge or expectations before
hand, KC's name is announced in the starting line-up, batting third for first
game. Oh the noise levels...ouch.

And before the first pitch, the head
coach "Woody", climbs out of the dugout,
heads toward my pretty bride in the stands
and asks Karan where's Bear? With her reply,
she tells me that 'Woody' headed straight
to the bathrooms. I hear this door fly, opens and some one yells, "Bear, I am not starting this game until you 'sh&^ or get off the pot, YOU WILL BE my Bench Coach". Dead Silence. Knock Knock, "Ok....my work is almost over here, but can you hand me some 'paper work' so I can finish".
Woody flashed some AAU paper work, bashed open the cube door, handed me a wood pencil...sharpened, and with my pants below the knees, I signed it, grumbled
something about how I love this guy, asked
for the other 'paper work', and then
proceeded to run to the game, because
it started. You got to remember now, that
Woody may be all of 5'2 110 lbs wet,
and a former speed merchant. Me, well 6'3
(struggling in a tight XXXL), and as
Karan puts it two drastically opposite
men. With the opposing teams
ace on the hill, and after striking out
the first two, KC was up, and all eyes
on him from grumbling Mom's & Dad's with assistance coaches in my face, right in my face. With one eye on the assistance coaches and one eye on this talented 13 yr old, I hear this assistance coach whisper
in my ear: Geez Bear, KC was all over that
heater and the Lefty rip this good looking slide ball off the wall in RF for a stand-up double and then proceeded to get the green light from Woody to steel third and on the next pitch (with the ace in a slow wind-up, stole home for the first tally of the game.) Every single player, every single assistant coach came out with the high and low fives. KC inaguarated himself with his new team, felt great about the event, and remained focused, thank-ful, and humbled the entire weekend for the 'opportunity' presented to him. The team went on to win the state AAU title, KC won the championship game on the hill. For me, I still keep contact with some of theMom's and Dad's and most of the assistant coaches. After the tourney almost each one of them walked up to me and inquired if I could speak to their son about how to improve the son's Mental Performance side of this great game.

In closing, the Team broke apart, after the following advancing Tourney. Woody 'started' a new older team to play in a 15-16 yr old league and remains the very kind & energetic
lil' McGraW, (that you just could not say no to.) All of the other assistance coaches
stayed together and formed a 'new' team this year (without 'Woody'). KC played against
this 'new team' in the first tournament of the 99 spring. (Another story there.....KC got Tourney MVP)

Woody is now a very close friend, I enjoy every moment we get together. I like to think I helped get him selected this spring to Coach the local HS team. (& it will be interesting to note what happens this year
with those grumbing Mom's and Dad's having their kids attending the same HS.)

Bottom line JT,
Just Keep on Running; Keep on Running while
learning to be still. Find your "Woody'.
And sometimes just learn to do things you have never done.

cheers
Bear