More than just a game

  • Published
  • By SrA Melissa Harvey
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAS FORT WORTH JRB --  A coach has skills players need to be successful, but he also has the opportunity to impart life lessons to his team.

Master Sgt. Jose Guajardo, 301st Fighter Wing combat readiness evaluator, took the opportunity to do this when a coach was needed two days before the Spring T-ball season started for Rylan, his 6 year old son.

Guajardo decided to coach because of his passion for the game of baseball and love of kids, he said.

"It allows me to pass on my knowledge and love for the game, and assist kids in developing their own skills for future use."

He coached the Astros, a Lake Worth Youth Association T-ball team, consisting of boys and girls ages 4 to 6 years old.

During the season, players learn the primary skills of hitting, running, fielding and throwing.

In order to learn these skills the team practiced twice a week for one hour and 15 minutes for three weeks before our season began, he said.

The reward for all of their hard work was a winning season.

"The team scored an average of 17 runs a game," Guajardo said. "They won the T-ball Championship in Lake Worth and stayed undefeated 14-0."

Coaching his son's team has had a positive impact on their relationship.

"It allows us to bond and grow with each other, both on and off the field," said Guajardo. "It gives us the opportunity to talk and learn from each other."

Rylan shares his dad's sentiment, only from a 6 year old point of view.

"It was a good thing," he said. "I liked it."

Guajardo's most memorable moments from the season were watching his team, "Take a knee for an injured player, seeing them all stand together during the National Anthem, scoring 25 runs in less than an hour, taking them to the Ranger vs. Angels ball game, and most of all just watching them be kids," he said.

Rylan's favorite memories from the season were when he was batting, because he sometimes hit it in the outfield, he said.

Guajardo's coaching career isn't over, he plans to move up to Coach Pitch with his son next year, he said.

Rylan wants his dad to coach him next year because "he coaches good."

Guajardo's advice to adults is simple, "Anytime you have the opportunity to influence children with lifelong lessons, you should be proud to take advantage of it ... understanding, listening and teaching are a much more valuable approach than forcing them to learn based on what an adult needs."

"It was truly an honor to coach such wonderful kids," he said.