Jared Sinclair sits down with Jose Luna. Jose grew up in Anaheim, now lives in Escondido, and is a youth baseball coach and board member of Escondido American Little League. He explains how sports became his way out of a rough neighborhood and how that shapes the way he coaches today.
Growing up in Anaheim - Jose's baseball was a broomstick and a tennis ball in the street, with one shared team glove. Sports kept him mentally away from the streets.
"Daddy ball" to the board - He started as a dad on the field when his oldest son, Ezra, joined baseball. He worked up through assistant coach and manager, and is now field maintenance chair and vice president of Escondido American Little League. All of the board roles are volunteer.
Team vs. program - Jose runs the Hidden City Bashers travel teams (12U, 13U and 14U) as a family-style team rather than a pay-to-play program. He knows every player by name, along with their siblings and parents. He says kids earn their spots, not their parents' wallets.
What he looks for in players - Coachability. He wants kids who listen and ask questions.
Coaching his own sons - He is harder on his own kids so he can hold the whole team to the same standard. At the field he's "Coach," not "Dad."
A trial period instead of tryouts - New players practice with the team a few times to see whether it's a good fit for both sides.
Building failure into learning - He tells players they will fail before they get it right. He also points out that showing up to every practice adds up over time.
A new chapter - He recently began coaching at Escondido High School. He wants the Bashers to act as a feeder team into the program, and he's working toward a CIF team.
Community - The Bashers share holiday traditions, including a Basher Thanksgiving and a Christmas party. A 12U team is headed to Cooperstown next year.
Key takeaway
Show up for kids, hold them to a standard, and help them see what hard work can do for them.
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