Mrs. O'Malley
By Ray Shay
9.2.14
I was sitting in our 4S Ranch Community Hub earlier this week when the 4S Ranch Little League Baseball, Board of Directors were selected. They are all volunteers. Some people think they are crazy to do their jobs for no pay, but to me and most people who really know what it is like to coach or
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| 4S Ranch Little League Board of Directors |
I played youth baseball for about ten years while growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is where I met Mrs. O'Malley. No, she was not a coach or on the board of directors. Mrs. O'Malley and parents like her are the scourge of coaches and well meaning volunteers.
It all started when I was about sixteen years old when one of my favorite umpires, Mr. Azar, told me about a baseball team who did not have a manager. Not a single parent would step forward to help with their upcoming spring season.
To the surprise of my parents and to two of my good friends, who I volunteered as assistant coaches, I agreed to manage the team.
About halfway through the season, I really found out what it meant to be in charge. I still recall the phone call on that Saturday morning as the sun streamed into our small linoleum countered kitchen in the high desert of New Mexico.
My mom turned to hand me the phone after several harsh rings disturbed our morning breakfast. Unlike today, there was a thick brown wire attached to the handset and the phone even had a big dial on it that would make noise when I pulled on a number.
As my dad looked up from reading the paper and my mom listened in disbelief we could all hear Mrs. O'Malley. She started yelling before the phone even reached my ear. Anyone who has been a coach or manager has probably received such a call. I was a rookie. I was dumbfounded she was going off on me.
Mrs. O'Malley's harsh words shattered the stillness of the morning and bounced around our small kitchen like unwanted marbles in a tin can. I can laugh now, but I was so surprised as she screamed, "My son is the strongest kid on the team, he has always started and played the entire game. Now that you have been the manager he has sat on the bench for some of the game while the other boys loose the game. I am furious at your leadership!"
Wow. My dad paused, but did not set the paper down or make any effort to take the phone from me. He just looked at me, wondering how I was going to respond. He was always smart like that.
I stumbled for a few moments as I tried to explain. I agreed her son was the biggest and could likely be the best player on the team, but he did not work hard, he lacked desire and was lazy. Some of the smaller kids were working incredibly hard and everyone needed to play. And yes, I would be staying the course.
Wow. My dad paused, but did not set the paper down or make any effort to take the phone from me. He just looked at me, wondering how I was going to respond. He was always smart like that.
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| So many years ago... |
I stumbled for a few moments as I tried to explain. I agreed her son was the biggest and could likely be the best player on the team, but he did not work hard, he lacked desire and was lazy. Some of the smaller kids were working incredibly hard and everyone needed to play. And yes, I would be staying the course.
As I hung up the phone my dad commented, "not bad." Years later, I asked my dad why he ever co-signed for me when I bought my first car at eighteen years old and he said, "because you volunteered to manage that baseball team." It took me many more years to put that whole connection together.
I will never forget Mrs. O'Malley. I will also never forget when I was driving two of the boys home after the last game of the season. Both of their bellies were filled with pizza and they each had a small baseball trophy in their small hands.
One boy waited until his teammate jumped out of my parents old turquoise pick up truck that I was driving. He sat there for a moment and then looked briefly at me. He then turned away clutching that tiny trophy and said, "Thanks. coach Ray, you are the best coach I have ever had." He then jumped down to the ground and ran to catch up with his friend. The sad part is that to this day, I cannot remember that child's name.
As I locked up the Community Hub after the Board had left for the evening, I had a private wish for each of them. By volunteering to help, you and all the coaches, managers, umpires and support staff will change so many children's lives. You will save so many more of our youth than I ever did as a police officer. Your commitment, patience and leadership will help those kids turn into amazing adults.
Don't ever forget it is about the kids. Do your best to remember their names instead of some parent who has lost sight of what is really important.
Have a great week,
PS - To sign your children up for one of the best run little league organizations in the world, just click on the link below for more information. The Fall season is a great season to start as it is not as intense or structured as the spring season.
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