A Memorable and Rewarding Season

Y members John and Janet have been connected to the Y through their children and grandchildren, but this spring brought a new adventure: coaching their grandson Vinnie’s baseball team. When the Y shared that the team couldn’t move forward without a coach, Janet volunteered—and John quickly followed. Their willingness to step up inspired others to do the same, and soon a group of parents and grandparents came together to create a memorable and rewarding season. 

“Seeing kids who had never played before get their first hit and run to a base—their smiles and joy were priceless,” John recalled. They loved watching Vinnie grow throughout the season, not just in skill but in confidence and friendship. 

Each week, John introduced a new character trait—like respect, resilience, and responsibility—for the players to reflect on, reminding them to be aggressive on the field but always kind. “Seeing the camaraderie amongst the kids—how they encouraged each other from the dugout even when they were losing—was so heartwarming,” Janet shared. 

As older adults, John and Janet said the support of other parents was especially appreciated. From help at practices to game-day setup, it truly became a team effort. 

“We started coaching for Vinnie,” they said, “but seeing everyone pitch in gave us hope—for our team, and for the future of these kids. The Y has such a good program— it’s not too pushy, all the kids get at least some playing time, and the atmosphere is really positive.”