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| By Natasha Clark Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW - East Longmeadow is still looking for a couple of good coaches to round out what they consider to be an outstanding recreational department. With all that is required of coaches, locals have still been volunteering their time to help youth take part in team building and esteem lifting activities like sports. Reworking your schedule, practices, games, car pooling all for no money, but those involved seem to think the rewards go beyond cash value. "I think I have more fun than the kids," said Erik Powell, president of the East Longmeadow baseball program. "It's a great stress reliever, for me at least." Baseball coach Jeff Delisio agreed. "Coaches are pretty good in town donating their time ... it makes the whole program come together." Parents in town appreciate what the coaches do for their children as well. Valerie Douglas voiced her thankfulness by recognizing that coaches often pay for things with their own money and even though the recreation department normally hosts a banquet at the end of the year, they still host pizza and ice cream parties for players. This year, due to tight fiscal times, the youth basketball association voted not to hold a banquet. Recreation department director Carolyn Porter said that the actual program did not suffer, but that additional items like trophies could not be afforded, and so they decided to not host the banquet at all. "You can only pay for what you can afford. We provided their uniform shirts, basketballs and officials, and we ran a full basketball program," Porter said, adding that things such as gym space have costs attached to them as well. She said they looked at the total costs and what they could offer for the money they had. "Every kid got a t-shirt, they had coaches, new basketballs, officials at their games, all of which costs money. Indoor facilities are not free," Porter explained. "We ran a full game schedule and they all had playoffs which included officials. What was taken away was the participation trophy." That's why Porter said what the coaches bring to the program is so priceless. "Its not possible to run that and keep it affordable and pay youth coaches. Thank God their out there. [There are] benefits for children to have adult role models other than their parents. Coaches are one of those adult leaders. Even in difficult times [they] step up to keep the experience positive." Many coaches still went out and purchased trophies at the end of the season. "Most coaches always offer some kind of party whether they win or lose. I had planned on doing it anyway. All the coaches are pretty much on the same page. This was nothing unusual," Delisio said. "I still wanted the kids to walk away with something, feel good about themselves, and [trophies are] a nice keepsake," Powell added. "The program would not be possible with out all of the volunteers. This year [has been] more difficult than other years to find parents to volunteer to coach. We're only as strong as the weakest link. We still have a shortage and the season starts in three weeks." So Delisio is putting out a call to anyone who may be interested in volunteer coaching this season. The recreational department is looking for two coaches to help fill out the fifth and six grade baseball program. "We have a real quality program, without [volunteers] it wouldn't be possible. They do so much behind the scenes ordering uniforms, empires, making sure the fields are mowed. Without out the board of directors and volunteer coaches we wouldn't have program. We're only as good as the volunteers," Delisio added. Anyone interested in becoming a baseball coach for the upcoming season can contact the East Longmeadow Recreation Department at 525-5437. |