Give This Teachers’ Conference a Tryout

Abstract

fundamentals of baseball. The local professional team was a single A (one step above rookie league) affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Her request was a surprise because the only experience she'd ever had with baseball was as our college team's bat girl when I was coaching. I agreed to sign her up because I've always encouraged her to try new challenges. As the first day of the camp approached, she was both excited and nervous, hoping she'd not be embarrassed either because of her gender or because of a lack of great hitting or fielding skills. It reminded me of how my students, especially nontraditional freshmen, feel just before the start of their first semester. Unwarranted apprehension is often the greatest killer of students' spirit. No one wants to look silly or out of place. The first morning at the ballpark, I stood in a long line, with dozens of other parents, to get Ashley registered (she received a team cap and T-shirt, along with a promise of lunches each day). There were about a hundred kids, most of them twelve and younger-and most of them boys-all milling around the infield, tossing baseballs and running the bases on this real diamond. Although most of the parents sped away in their minivans, I decided to stick around for a little while, mainly to give Ashley moral support. I was also curious about how effective the instruction would be, from an educator's standpoint. I wound up staying for the entire time-not just that day, but all three days. Running the camp was the team manager, Ruben Amaro, a former major league Gold Glove shortstop with several teams, primarily the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. Also on the field with the kids