Try-outs

My husband is a coach for the little league football here in Tullahoma, better known as the Frank R. Mullins football league. It was named in respect of a great man, great football player and coach who died suddenly of a heart attack. Each year this time comes around and my family braces for the disturbance in our family life. Parents call wanting their child to be on Bo's team, coach's scramble to pick the best players and fierce competition begins among each team. My son helps Bo during the try-outs. He writes down the times in each players 20 yd dash, their vertical leap, the agility drill, etc. I always tell Bill to help his dad stay calm, focused and organized during this process because Bo tends to get rattled with the excitement of the challenge. The teams have been decided now and the coach's have called the players to tell them which team they are on and when practice will begin. That's the easy part. Now these young boys will be faced with becoming a young man. The privilege of being a coach should be noticed among the players. These players come from all walks of life. Some don't have a momma who even cares to wash their practice pants once during the season. Some have a daddy telling them they are sorry, a wimp, an embarrassment. Some can't focus on the practice because they are afraid no one will show up to pick them up. Some are so angry at authority, to follow simple rules is a challenge. Some are neglected by the hands of addicted parents who sign their children up so there more free time after school to party and get high. Try-outs show the physical ability of each player. Coaching shows the ability to reconize each player for what is inside. Coaching shapes, molds, empowers, gives hope, developes character, teaches right and wrong, encourages, corrects, disciplines, being dependable, being a part of a team. A true coach knows his player, not just his time in the 40, and will teach a young lad about life, between the hash-marks on the field.