My brother Dave wrote the following article for a newsletter in the town of Windham, NH, but as you read it you realize that his sentiment applies to every one of us. Congratulations, Dave! Well done!

The Windham Baseball / Softball League needs volunters for all aspects of running a successful league. Why volunteer ? Because your child or neighbor deserves the right to play on a decent field with good equipment with the help and guidance that each one of us can offer. If enough people make a small contribution, then the league and town will benefit, not to mention the children that participate. Contributions can be in:

• organization (scheduling, coordinating the various leagues),
• field maintenace (preparing the field prior to games, helping the kids pick up after a game),
• umpiring (teaching our children about fair play),
• fundraising (sponsors for uniforms & equipment),
• coaching (teaching skills & sportsmanship)
• or being a supportive fan (go to a game, even if your child is not playing, you can cheer on a neighbor or school friend).

It's simple, the better the league, the more your child will benefit by participating in sports. Sports can help your child gain self-esteem, learn the importance of T-E-A-M, learn sportsmanship (win graciously, lose knowing you did your best), make friends that will last a lifetime and have memories to pass on to their children and grandchildren.

That's Donna Mollica at the right - Dave's wife, Whitney's mom - and the loudest, most energetic cheerleader in the entire Mollica family!!

I coached for the first time this past Softball season. I thought that I was always too busy at work to give the time that was needed. Oh, sure I made a few games and watched my daughter play and I thought that was enough. I have wonderful memories of my own "sports career", starting with Little League Baseball. I was one of nine children and my Dad was the coach, where did he find the time? I realized that I was successful at work and life was pretty good, but what was I giving back ? Not much. So I volunteered to coach my daughter's softball team. What the heck was I getting into? Well, I'll tell you. At our first practice, I intoduced myself to fourteen 10, 11 & 12 year old girls and that was the beginning. Some could play, some really weren't sure why they were there and some because their parents made them join the league. I remembered what was fun for me as a kid, so those are the drills that we did. You know what ? They liked them, too. Thirty-seven years had passed since my first year in Little League and the things I liked, they liked.

Whitney, Dave's daughter - the homerun hitter who got Dave started in the coaching game!

As the season rolled on, I realized that I was nicer to be around, both at home and at work. Work was a piece of cake compared to helping the team become a team, but a team is what we became. By the end of the season, the fourteen 10, 11 & 12 year old girls knew why they were there and I knew why they were there. They were there to have fun, improve their skills and help a father realize that giving back to the community was a part of making that community a better place to live and be a part of.

My dad died when I was thirteen, so my Little League memories are a big portion of my memories of my dad. Be a volunteer and help make the memories for your child that you have. If your parents did it for you, then keep the tradition going. If your parents weren't able to spend the time that you deserved, then let the tradition start with you. Be a volunteer, you will help make us a better community to live in and have alot of fun along the way.

David Mollica, Windham, N.H.

Thoughts? Write to Dave