Looking forward to the season
4
Apr
2011
It was a bit disappointing that there wasn't enough space on the census form to write my full job title - Regional Coach & Club Development Officer. So I just told the government that I coach baseball and softball. I think it's cool to be able to write that on a census form!
There's a lot more to my job than just coaching though and I've spent quite a bit of time since I joined BSUK last year trying to build relationships with the baseball and softballers of London with the simple message that I want to help you get better!
I've met a lot of people this winter, particularly in the slowpitch community, and it's been exciting to meet such enthusiasm in London to improve. This has mostly evidenced itself through requests for coaching support. I've had loads of fun recently leading or assisting sessions with a bunch of GLSML teams who have been especially pro-active in their pre-season training. I think their efforts will be reflected in how they start their seasons.
It's really important that every individual, team, club and league recognise that there's at least one thing they can do to get better to be more successful in their baseball or softball endeavours. I think that when you have that attitude you'll find that there are lots of opportunties around to improve yourself or your club. I'm here to support you, and I'm certain that if I can't help you then someone at BSUK will be able to, whether it's becoming a better hitter or improving your facility.
With the off-season behind us and pre-season in full swing I'm itching for the season(s) to begin. Some things I'm looking forward to:
Mid-week baseball in Finsbury Park with the London Mets. I've really enjoyed supporting the club's “Baseball 4 Beginners” sessions that will lead into a recreational league. Mid-week play has traditionally been the domain of slowpitch but I think there's great potential for baseball to be played too, so kudos to Neil and the club for this initiative. I also think there's scope for an elite mid-week baseball league in London...watch this space.
Playing in a slowpitch tournament or two. With one softball tournament of the indoor variety under my belt I'm looking forward to an outdoor one. I've not played a weekend outdoor tourney before, but if there are as many good people about as were at our AstroSeries then I'm sure they're a blast.
Time to get up to Finsbury Park...victims of one of my coaching sessions await...
tagged under: astroseries, slowpitch, season, london, mets, regional coach
