Local Little League coach takes positive approach
There’s more to the average Little League game than meets the
eye.
It’s not just kids looking cute in too big uniforms, scrambling
around trying to catch infield hits and tag out runners. For every
game that takes place on the field, a dozen other events must
happen first.
Local Little League coach takes positive approach
There’s more to the average Little League game than meets the eye.
It’s not just kids looking cute in too big uniforms, scrambling around trying to catch infield hits and tag out runners. For every game that takes place on the field, a dozen other events must happen first.
One of the most important events before each game is practice. And a practice can’t happen without a coach and many of those who take on the challenge are parents. And coaches are not just parents trying to relive their own glory days, but people who care about all the children in the league, not just their own kid.
“I think it’s definitely important to the community,” said Keith Schwehr, who coaches for Hollister Little League. “Kids always have to be involved in something. It’s important to have something available for them. (Playing sports) gives the kids something constructive to do that is generally safe. It helps teach them good morals and values.”
Schwehr first started coaching when his son, Macen, now 9, began playing tee-ball a few years ago. Although Schwehr did not play baseball growing up, he did play P.A.L. football, and knew how important being on a team was to him.
“Football and baseball are not the same,” he said. “Teamwork equals baseball, but football tends to focus more on individual talent. What I enjoy is that kids who have heart and believe in themselves can win.”
Schwehr didn’t know much about coaching baseball at first, so he watched major league games and read the Little League rulebooks before stepping out onto the field.
“Any willing parent, if they are with other coaches who know what they are doing, can go out there and coach,” he said.
Today, Schwehr is the manager of his son’s team, the Little Minor AA Twins, coaching with assistance from Gino Andrade. Andrade has coached with San Benito Babe Ruth, a baseball team for boys ages 12-15, and is currently the head coach for the Hollister Vikings, the city’s Pop Warner team. Schwehr’s coaching methods include focusing on teamwork, a positive attitude and continuous encouragement.
Coaching with values such as these has a huge impact on the kids.
“He is a fun coach to play for,”said 9-year-old Yurixa Gonzalez.
Another teammate, Anthony Kincheloe, age 11, agreed.
“He is good at coaching, I like playing for him,” Kincheloe said.
Keeping the game about the kids is important to Schwehr.
“With the right encouragement, the kids always feel confident that they have done their best, win or lose,” Schwehr said. “This is all for the kids. I’d let Macen leave if he wanted to. It’s up to him.”
One part of Little League that Schwehr is particularly proud of is the Little League pledge, which he feels reinforces the idea of positive reinforcement.
“The pledge captures everything you are trying to teach the kids,” Schwehr said. “I went through the pledge with my team, and asked them if they believed in it, and each one said yes, they trust in God and believe in the pledge.”
One thing Schwehr works hard to avoid is becoming one of “those coaches” who has a win-at-all-costs mentality. Too often, he says, parent-coaches have their team take the field looking for a win and expecting nothing less. A loss results in put downs rather than encouragement, and for Schwehr, that is the exact opposite of what the coaches should be teaching their players.
“When the coaches are hard on the kids, or get too competitive, it takes the fun out of it for the kids,” he said. “The kids are competitive anyway; they always ask who is winning. Being too competitive makes it hard for the kids. What is important is that they enjoy what they are doing, and having fun with it.”
Schwehr’s method of coaching with encouragement appears to be working.
“I like playing for (Coach Schwehr),” said player Isaiah Espinoza, 10. “He says positive things instead of negative things. He tries to encourage you when you mess up.”
Little League Pledge
I trust in God
I love my country
and will respect its laws
I will play fair
and strive to win
but win or lose
I will ALWAYS do my BEST
