Coach Joe Sidelinger is a true baseball fan if ever there was one.  Playing and coaching America's past time since the age of five, Coach Sidelinger truly loves the game and how much young people can grow and gain through playing baseball.  

This week's Coach of the Week has a light-hearted style about him and always puts the kids first.  One of his main goals in coaching is to "teach to make them laugh" and he always aims to teach his players the fundamentals as well as the fun that can come of it.  The coaching experience for Sidelinger is really about helping the kids love the game as much as he does.

His Revere Minor League Red Sox wrapped up the 2009 season going undefeated (16-0) and taking the Minor League Championship!  The 12U team celebrated a successful season with an end of the year party.  Coach Sidelinger also has a number of summer leagues getting started including the Cubs , the Athletics, the Pirates, and the Angels.  Congratulations to all the players, parents and coaches involved with the team's accomplishments.  It takes everyone to make it happen!

Coach Sidelinger is the father of three boys (his three favorite things in life): his oldest, Ben, is 25, Joey is 15, and his youngest, Derek, is 9.  He wrote, "The greatest joy is that I am a father who gets to spend time with my son and teach, watch, and learn from him.  That's the gift coaching baseball has given to me.  Someday he will share that thought and passion with his children."

Now a few words of wisdom: "I always tell my players I will give everything I got to coach you, and ask that they give that much back as players.  I seem to be able to bring that quality and desire for success from baseball players I've coached over the years." 

Lastly Coach Sidelinger wanted to thank Weplay for helping his team have a successful season.  He especially loves the ability to share team movies and let every kid feel like a star.  He wrote, "My team has had a wonderful season due to the things Weplay has helped me do.  We just had our end of the season banquet and kids watched our season video (that I made) over and over.  Parents crying, kids laughing, even an old crusty manager had a tear.  Anyways, thank you for everything your company has done for me."

Thank you Coach Sidelinger for your commitment and dedication to coaching youth baseball and for teaching kids the importance of having fun!