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Little League is a rite of passage for many young people in America. Aside from being our country's pastime, it is an excellent institution of teamwork and acceptance. Everyone on the team strives toward a greater goal. There may be those who stand out, but they couldn't possibly play every position on the field. Kids learn a great deal about themselves through team sports. They learn because they're taught by coaches.

Little League coaches are often portrayed in a bad light. Words such as favoritism, pressure and aggressiveness are too often used. Yes, there are bad apples, but most Little League coaches are wonderful people. Many coaches hold other jobs as laborers, office workers, teachers. Many are parents who understand the necessity of being a positive influence to younger people and who choose to volunteer their time and effort to pass on their knowledge of Little League to a new generation. These coaches value the importance of team work to everyday life.

Parents don't really appreciate much of the hard work that a coach and his assistants put in to running a Little League. Coaches have to arrange the schedules for every game and practice session, put together the line-ups for every game and record every single pitch and hit. Many coaches even take the children out for pizza and ice cream after a game, whether the result has been good or bad. Coaches have an important role to play in helping the kids manage their emotions, as well as learning the valuable quality of patience.

Coaching is not easy, but it can be very rewarding. Coaches can develop valued relationships with the players and parents. Little League can provide children with structure in their lives and the opportunity to meet great friends. I met some of my own best friends through playing baseball, and these are still friendships I enjoy today. I recall my own time playing Little League with much fondness. I remember too that my coaches were excellent and gave me the drive to succeed.

As far as coaches go, many don't know the impact they have on the kids. I distinctly remember the coach from one team flipping out at an umpire for a blown call. I remember thinking that the call was unfair, but it was just a game. Looking back, it makes sense that our team was calm and waiting out the other coach's tirade while his team joined in the argument. It makes sense because our coach had always told us that baseball, at the end of the day, is just a game. What happens off the field is more important. Sometimes people have trouble remembering that.

If you want to share your passion for baseball with others, then Little League coaching may be for you. Many of us enjoyed Little league as kids but, apart from going to the odd game as a fan, or playing in the local Beer league softball team, we no longer participate in baseball. Our dreams of playing in the majors are long gone. Instead of donning an ill-fitting Beer League uniform and wallowing in past glories, we could be helping a new generation participate in and enjoy baseball. By passing on our knowledge of the game, we could make a crucial difference to that one kid who has the talent but lacks adult support.

I suggest you go out into the community and see how you can get involved. Little Leagues even need announcers and concession stand managers. Maybe you can start out that way before moving on into coaching. Whatever your route, sharing your love of baseball will take you back to why you feel in love with the game in the first place. After all, why else do you shell out forty dollars a ticket to watch professional millionaires do what kids pay to be able to do?