There’s a lot that goes into making baseball happen, and so much of it takes place when nobody is watching. We see the players take the field, the coaches in the dugout, and the excitement of a game. But what happens after everyone goes home?
I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for all our coaches do, because their work doesn’t end when the final out is recorded. In fact, sometimes that’s when another part of their work begins.
Long After Everyone Goes Home
Long after the chairs are folded and the field clears out, they’re still there. Picking up what was left behind, taking care of the field, putting things away, and making sure everything is ready for the next time the Angels take the diamond.
Sometimes it’s dark before the work is finished. Sometimes everyone else has already gone home. And sometimes the only people who know how much was done are the ones who stayed to do it.
Still taking care of the field after dark.
It’s easy to overlook the little things that have to happen behind the scenes. The preparation before a game, the cleanup afterward, the equipment that needs attention, and the countless other jobs that come with taking care of a baseball team.
None of those things show up in the scorebook. There are no statistics for the hours spent preparing a field or making sure everything is taken care of when the day is done. But those things matter. They make it possible for our boys to play the game they love.
Taking care of what was left behind.
Serving Without Being Asked
One of the things I appreciate most is that so much of this work is done without anyone having to ask. Someone sees something that needs attention, and they take care of it. Not because they’re looking for recognition, but because they care about the team and the young men who are part of it.
No recognition. No reward. Just doing it because it’s the right thing to do.
Those are the moments that may go unnoticed by most people, but they certainly don’t go unnoticed by me.
Following Coach Clay’s Example
For years, Coach Clay was the one doing so many of these things. He understood that coaching meant much more than teaching someone to hit, pitch, or field a baseball. It meant showing up, taking responsibility, and being willing to do whatever needed to be done.
He put countless hours into HC Baseball, often doing the work that most people never knew needed to be done. Whether he was preparing the field, taking care of equipment, or staying late to finish something, he did it because he loved his players and believed in what we were building.
Seeing our coaches continue to give their time and effort in these same quiet ways means more to me than I can adequately express. I am grateful for their hearts and blessed to see them following the example Coach Clay left behind.
There is something especially meaningful about watching the things he taught continue through the people who learned from him.
More Than the Game
We talk about Building HERITAGE at HC Baseball, and these are the kinds of moments that remind me what those words really mean. Effort, accountability, integrity, and respect aren’t limited to what happens between the lines. They show up in the willingness to take care of what needs doing, even when no one is watching.
I hope our players recognize the example being set for them. I hope they understand that being part of a team means taking care of more than themselves, and that leadership is often found in the things people do without expecting anything in return.
To our coaches, thank you. Thank you for the hours, the effort, the sacrifices, and the many things you do that most people will never see. Thank you for caring about our boys and for continuing to give so much of yourselves to HC Baseball.
The work may be unseen by many, but it is appreciated more than you know.
Building HERITAGE
Honor • Effort • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Growth • Excellence