Little League coach reflects on his days coaching
Albert Lonvelin, 48 years-old, is like any father in the world. Hard-working, supporting, and being a father to his kids.
But not only was he being dad, he also played the role as a coach for a brief period of time. Being a coach for your sons team is what any dad wants whenever they have kids.
Albert says, “ Well the reason I started coaching little league was because of my kids. First, Robert, with my first son. I got into coaching just to make sure that he was being taught right. Our Little League needed volunteers. So I volunteered and also to help other kids play. Then I had my second kid which was Isaiah and I wanted to be a part of that experience also.”
Coaching is voluntary in all districts, and Albert served as a coach and volunteer for the Norwalk Little League district for eight years.
He was on the board for Norwalk Little League for 5 years and donated his time and effort.
For coaching that long he found that the most difficult level to coach was tee-ball where kids age five to seven play in.
“The most difficult one to teach was tee ball. Because the kids didn't really know how to catch. They didn’t really know how to throw the ball, so you have to just do the basics. Had to make sure they hit off the tee. Make sure you had to show them how to hold the bat. You know that was a difficult level was tee ball. But it was fun.”
The most fun he had was with his kids, as he had two sons play for him. Robert and Isaiah Lonvelin had both played in Norwalk Little League for their whole little league career.
“It was a good feeling… It was a good just knowing that they are out there playing and they’re doing what you taught them to do. And Just teach them your experience and what you know in baseball and give it to them. Also to just watch them perform and that was very exciting.”
Now since coaching is voluntary Albert has a regular job, one where he puts in 10–13 hours a day as a shipping manager and was still able to be there for his team on practices and games.
“I didn’t. I didn’t because I think I was young, I was in my 20s. So I did have a lot of energy, it was exciting. I love baseball. I love coaching, so it was very exciting to be there with my boys and my family. Doing something that I loved and just knowing that my boys were there with me. So it was not tiring at all, I did not feel tired at all. You know, just having everybody around me just kept me going so it was exciting.”
That is one thing everyone recognized was his commitment to a team and his drive to get everyone better as a coach.
Some kids for the first time meeting him felt scared as he did look scary as a coach. As he looks intimidating especially when he have his regular sunglasses on.
When he would yell everyone on the field would stay still as they were shoo ken by how loud his voice actually was, but he only did to tell us where to move as he had great knowledge of the game.
But if you were on his team you would know he only looked intimidating but was one of the nicest people that you can talk too and learn from.
For coaching for almost a decade his favorite moment was one where he shares with his son Isaiah, his youngest.
“I guess my favorite moment was that day when Isaiah was struggling hitting. And he was just not hitting the ball. And we went to practice. And were at Corvallis throwing him the ball over and over. He hitting it. And then the next day we came to the ball game and he hit one out, Just showing that teaching does… that was very exciting. I was really, knowing that… Just seeing the result that was very gratifying right there.
