The value of coaching youth sports

My youngest, behind the dish

I've been coaching my kids softball team for two years and I've found that there is value beyond teaching kids how to play a game I also played and enjoyed as a kid. 

You are in position to instill confidence in young kids, which is inportant beyond the field.  

You get to meet new people and other influential residents of your city and town.  

It helps you get embedded in your community and shows that you aren't that weird neighbor who doesn't speak to anyone. 

It provides a steady stream of exercising. 

You experince the pure joy on a kid's face after they've accomplished a feat they never thought they could do. 

It provides you an opportunity to teach the things you've learned to someone else, who in turn, will pass it along to others...and so on and so on. 

It teaches you how to deal with conflict (we all know the stories of youth-sports parents).  

Lastly, it gives you an opportunity to unplug, enjoy the outdoors and live in the moment.