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Coaches Forum

Who were your sports idols growing up? Who among today's athletes do you consider to be good role models for our kids?

"I grew up in the Chicago area, so anybody who played for the Cubs was on my list. Ernie Banks would have been at the top. His enthusiasm was inspiring. "Let's play two," was his most famous line. Don Kessinger was the shortstop for the Cubs, and he proved that it was possible to be a nice guy and still play with lots of passion and enthusiasm. Today, I would encourage young athletes to watch Jack Wilson. He works hard every day, is involved in the community, and he never blames anybody else for his own mistakes. Sidney Crosby has as much maturity as I have seen in any athlete, and he's only, what, 20 years old? And Mario Lemieux! He was always in control of his actions and behaviors on and off the ice. With all of the media attention that surrounded him, you never heard Mario say things that were stupid or irresponsible. Those are three athletes we can all learn from."

— Pete Schell

Being really, really old, my professional sports hero was Roberto Clemente. At the time, great contemporary outfielders included Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Roger Marris, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Frank Robinson, Willy McCovey, Carl Yastrzemski, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Orlando Cepeda, and Tommy Davis. But Clemente was a Buc, and he was simply elegant in the outfield, had a cannon arm, and was stylistic at the plate. Plus, he was clutch. When a hit or a play was needed, he came through. And while others may have been statistically better at times, he was a hometown hero. When was the last time Pittsburgh had a player that actually ruled on the baseball diamond? Players as role models? None. If I had to choose a few, Chase Utley, Tim Lincecum, Torri Hunter, Albert Pujols.

— Joe Knupsky

"Dan Marino, hands down."

— Mike Albright

"In the old days, Bob Gibson, Jerry West, Len Dawson, Roger Staubach, Ed Podolak, Gail Sayers, Sweetness. Today ... Polamalu, Tebow, Zach Johnson, Jack Wilson, Tony Dungy, Larry Fitzgerald, just to name a few."

— John Wimer

"Childhood sports heroes? Franco Harris and Willie Stargell — not real sure why, maybe because you always heard their name and I can remember being a young girl and they were so "old" and still playing sports, I was amazed. Good role models today? Hockey players — Sidney Crosby — most are so young. I believe it teaches children that if you work hard and you have a dream its reachable without having to take any drugs or even without shooting yourself."

— Gayle Laughlin

"Back then ... Clemente, Maz, Gene Alley. They gave all they had every day. Today ... Charlie Batch, Sid Crosby, Hines Ward."

— Jack Baron

2010 Coaching Staff

The following individuals have committed to coaching with BHAA in 2010. Several spots remain. To express your interest, contact Nicole Knupsky at bhaabaseball@comcast.net or 412-513-7087.

Mike Albright
Jeff Bees
Marc Calderaro
Brian Daeschner
Randy Davis
Todd Ferraro
Bill Fonzi
Andy Gamblin
Mike Gavlik
Don Green
Joe Knupsky
Matt Koval
Tana and Brandon Kretzler
Chad Minton
Courtney Nagy
John Otstot
Franklin Rouse
John Salamacha
Jack Shannon
Bill Sinagra
Shawn Tunstall
Gil Villanueva

Coaches Forum

What can parents do at home
to help their children become
better baseball/softball players?

"Spend time with them throwing, fielding, and hitting the ball around. The more they practice the fundamentals and get used to seeing the ball being released from someone other than their peers, the better they adjust to different ball speeds. Do this, along with giving them the encouragement to master the game and, most importantly, have fun!"

— Franklin Rouse

"One thing parents can do at home is push the idea that they should be having fun. If they are not having fun they tend to tense up and worry instead of just playing the game. While being serious and playing your best is not a bad idea, it is easier to play their best when they are a little bit relaxed and not focused/worried about every little thing."

— Carol Gerner

"Soft toss, even in the basement. Ten to 15 minutes a day of grounders, playing catch, or snagging pop flies."

— Jeff Bees

"Play catch! It's that simple. You don't need a strong arm. Even if you throw underhand to your children, they can learn to get in front of and underneath the ball. Roll ground balls to them. Teach them to move left and right, even if just a little bit at a time. They will grow to be confident in their ability to catch the ball, and last I checked, that's still a pretty important part of the game."

— Pete Schell

"There are three things I recommend: Simple throwing and catching. Easy soft toss with no glove to teach catching with two hands. Hitting off the tee, which is the best way to teach proper technique.

— Jack Shannon

Coaches Forum

What's the best way to break in a brand new glove?

"Buy a can of Hot Glove (it sells for less than $10 at major retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods). The directions are self-explanatory and, afterwards, it will feel like you've had the glove for years."

— James Rhodes

"I recommend a healthy dose of Rawlings Gloveoleum, followed by 50 to 75 good, hard tosses into the pocket of the glove. Afterwards, fold it over with the ball in it and tie it tight with rubber bands or shoelaces. Might even put it under the mattress for a week or so."

— Jeff Bees

"Shaving cream. It will give you the softest glove on the North Side."

— Ken Leseman

"Put some glove oil on it, place a ball in it, and put shoelaces around it to close it. Leave it like that for a few days."

— Carol Gerner

"I have heard to use shaving cream to soften the leather, but I've never actually tried that myself. Any glove I have ever needed to break in, I have done by putting a baseball in the pocket, not the webbing, and then wrapping that baby up good and tight. Be sure to tuck the 'little fingers' in around the ball first when wrapping/rolling it up. Leave it wrapped for a couple of days, then start playing a lot of catch!"

— Pete Schell

"A new glove is a thing of beauty — it looks good, feels good, even smells good. You hate to get it dirty. But you've got to oil it then get the darn thing dirty. Use it and abuse it. Play, play, play."

— Nicole Knupsky