Thanks to those who helped out during baseball season

As this year's baseball season ends in Havre, I would like to thank all the volunteer coaches who help get us through the months of game and practices.

The time commitment is great, and your time invaluable.

Without you, nothing would get done and nothing would be learned. Thank you.

Umpires: I would like to thank you for all the endless hours of working in the sun and listening to all the "stuff" you have to listen to. Your dedication is awesome. I know how hard it is being "perfect" every game — just as some coaches are. I just thank you for showing up. I wonder at times if you should get hazard pay.

This was the first time I got to see a game or two at each league level. Amazingly, most games had the same problems.

Parents, grandparents family and friends, most of you just enjoy the game as it goes. Thank you for your support. and keep it up. Some of you get too involved, and we all hear and see it. Maybe it's time to rethink why you're there. What will the youth take away from the from the game? Is what you say, or yell, age-appropriate? Did we see or hear anything about honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, hard work, team unity or, my favorite, commitment? Was the opposite of these seen or heard by them? We all need to do a better job of teaching the positive aspects of any sport. We are all a direct influence. Kids mimic behavior. Whether at home, school or in public, they see and hear it.

Again, a big thank-you for the volunteers in any sport. Your positive attitudes and hard work make it all worthwhile. Without you, nothing would get done.

Randy Granner

Havre