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c8 tribune june 28 19s9 mcleod answered call to coach su through a joint federal- provincial initiative 1989 has been declared the year of the coach there are an estimated 400000 coaches at the various levels of different sports nationwide whitchurchstouffville has always boasted well- developed sports programs for its young people partly because of the men and women who have come for ward to coach cur teams whether bottom end house league outfits or provincial titlist all star clubs the tribune wants to par ticipate in this act of recogniz ing and promoting the idea of coaching so it is our intention to spotlight several coaches as the year wears on please feel free to drop off written sub missions to our office with sug gestions of who should be so featured by bruce stapley seven years ago after signing up his daughter jennifer to play tball in the towns minor ball program ballantraes jim mcleod suddenly realized he hadnt been phoned and told when the team was to begin prac ticing for the upcoming season a call to the area convener ask- 1 ing when his daughter should report was met with the reply when do you want to start its up to you youre the coach when he had recovered from the shock after uttering something about a misunderstan ding mcleod gathered up his wits his daughter and his ball glove and headed out to the park to teach 15 fiveyearolds how to play ball i had never even heard of t- ball he recalls with a grin i think i spent the first year in a fog none of the kids could hold onto a bat but it was a learning experience and by the end of the season things started to shape up seven years later mcleod boasts the satisfaction of having watched his original assortment of sand castle builders and wild- armed wonders mature into capable ball players some have even gone on to play for the towns rep teams i just kept moving up with my daughter for the most part the same kids have stayed with me and ive had the confidence of both the kids and their parents i such has been his enjoyment of coaching the same group each year that he finds himself disap pointed when one of them decides to drop out i hate to see them leave i remember one girl who wasnt very good at first but she was trying hard and was progress ing then she decided to leave i ran into her and tried to talk her into coming back i felt bad while mcleod can claim only one first place finish in his seven years coaching he feels hes won in other ways each season ive had a good time if youre not having a good time you shouldnt be out there because it rubs off on the kids and they dont enjoy it for mcleod victories have taken on other forms that go far beyond scoring the most runs i remember one boy crying when the ball went past him now hes a good ball player i look at him now and i just think back to that day another girl couldnt throw right at first now she throws and plays very well factory outlet discount prices smas7pk vt a trailers fifth wheels motorhomes exclusive dealer in southern ontario new used units stevenson rv sales 9 douglas rd uxbridge 6406511 8526888 mmkvjue toyotas athlete of the week melanie mackwood of the markham aquatic club recently won the 50 metre freestyle event and set a club record in the 100 metre backstroke in the quebec cup meet h montreal recently- extra dirt or lots of trash can pink flamingo disposal containers for the home owner 8889030 in inc coach jim mcleod enjoys his role as a ball coach and encourages others to take up the sideline the coach of the ballantrae lions is shown here giving pnolo bruce stapley some tips to from left sarah cliff jennifer mcleod and stephanie mcleod and the opportunity has given him a chance to watch his own girls learn the game theyve both developed a lot they can throw and catch and hit pretty well now mcleod admits it took some time for him to develop the pro per temperment for coaching children and that it wasnt until he was asked to umpire a game that he finally mastered the art of self control ive mellowed i used to get a little irritated with umpires but after i umped a pee wee game it gave me more insight i almost had to toss a guy id much rather coach than umpire mcleod says he has always had the support of the parents of the kids he has coached and that he has made a point of briefing them at the start of each season on what he expects of them ive always told them i wouldnt be a babysitter they are there at the games and prac tices to pick up their kids or to watch them parents will always lay ball with you as long as you tell them mcleod takes time before each game to make up a chart telling where each of his players will play from inning to inning a plan he says works well for the most part but if a player doesnt make it to the game or is late it throws the whole thing off he says he tries to be fair giv ing each child the chance to play all positions and that he en courages parents to get the right equipment for their child free summer power skating for ah registered markham minor hockey association players location centennial arena d at es july 4 1989 thru sept 1 1989 times tuesdays 600 pm to 700 pm for players born in 1972 to 1977 inclusive thursdays 700 pm to 800 pm for all goalies fridays 600 pm to 700 pm for players born in 1978 to 1982 inclusive equipment skates and hockey helmets don7miss it stay cool for further information tel 2945447 m your local gm dealers i chevrolet pontiac oldsmobile buick cadillac chevy gmc trucks