Coaching kids in baseball is something that I truly enjoy. There is nothing better for me personally than explaining the fundamentals, watching the child grasp it, learn it and then master it on the field. It’s the most gratifying part of being a coach. The rest of it, the smiles, the upset player on a bad day, the wins and the losses… that’s part of the game. But it’s the mentoring and teaching, and the learning on their end that I truly love to see blossom. Sure, everyone wants to win, but baseball is a game of failure, and the sooner you understand that as a kid, the better off you will be. You grow through baseball, knowing that over time, with practice, you can be the best. Knowing a coach cares… well, that just gives you the extra confidence and drive you need.
There aren’t too many good coaches anymore. Let me rephrase that; There are many good coaches, but what’s happened in this culture is that coaches are forgetting why they’re there. The focus of some, is only about them winning. The teaching, for some of them, has disappeared. It’s about them… not the kid. That needs to stop.
I only bring this up because I was recently reading and reminded of a coach named Jack DiSalvo. Jack was known as Coach “D" in the Northern part of New Jersey. He had a passion for coaching like no other and not only that, he was great at it.
Jack started out in Paterson Catholic and spent 35 years as a teacher and coach for both football and baseball. He was inducted into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996. He won 9 League State Championships, as well as winning the Coach of the Year award multiple times.
But he wouldn’t have had any of that, if the kids didn’t want to play for him. The truth is, they did and it’s because of him, and so many like him, that I realized when my 11 year old was only 3, that it may be a good idea to bring my knowledge of baseball to children in Little League. Jack inspired me and inspired many. He volunteered his time, because he wanted to make kids better in baseball and in football.
He wanted to teach, he wanted them to shine and believe in themselves. It’s an attribute that I don’t see much anymore on the field, but DiSalvo had it. He was unique.
I bring this up because recently Jack DiSalvo passed away. He was 67 years old. His family has started the Jack DiSalvo Foundation and with it, they are providing scholarship funds and other community type resources for the growth and development of kids in New Jersey. It also focuses on supporting and improving cancer research, awareness and prevention. In a nutshell, DiSalvo’s mission have been carried on, and I applaud the DiSalvo’s for their hard work and dedication to keep his message going. These are good people. Luckily they kept the line moving, and maybe, just maybe, it will open the eyes of other aspiring coaches out there, as well as help existing coaches to see the big picture.
Coaches need to realize 1 thing; It’s never about them, it always about the kids. I encourage you all to check out the JackDiSalvo Foundation website. Just click on the link and read all about it. Also, be sure to see their Facebook page as well. The link is HERE. On April 19th, the Jack DiSalvo Foundation is hosting it’s first Charity Baseball Game.
The proceeds go towards a scholarship fund for New Jersey student athletes who demonstrate strong athletic abilities as well as academic excellence. In other words, I always talk about working hard here at BYB. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything, right? Well, it’s how dreams come true and the DiSalvo Foundation recognizes that.
The game will be open to the public. You will receive 2 FREE Tickets w/Meal Voucher for any Donation made between now and Game Day (Suggested Donation: $25).
Celebrity Chef Anton Testino of Hell's Kitchen will be preparing a special "Ball Park Style" Menu and will also be at the game taking photos and signing autographs!
Now, full disclosure; I’m a sponsor of the Jack DiSalvo Foundation, but I’m merely the messenger here in this BYB venue today. I want everyone to understand to importance of a coach like Jack DiSalvo. He was a great man, and I’m happy to be apart of what the foundation is trying to accomplish. I hope you are too.
You should think about checking out their even on April 19th. You should think about being a coach. And once you do, as yourself this; Are you a good mentor? Are you a great coach? Now ask yourself this? Do your players want to play for you? Do they believe in themselves because of you? That’s the sign of a really great coach. Do it the Jack DiSalvo way! Be sure to check out this great cause and scholarship fund opportunity.
Sorry this isn't a Yankee thing, but more importantly, it's a life thing, and I hope you check it out!
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