Allan Thal

There are many words I could use to describe the special relationship that exists between Mr. Thal and his "Bankers," but my two sons said it best when I asked them what made Mr. Thal such a good coach to play for. Treven said, "Teaching us the skills and correcting us instead of yelling at us when we made a mistake." Brendan described Mr. Thal's biggest attribute in a single word: "Patience," he said. - Terry A. Dalton in Letters to the Editor CDT July 17, 1989

Coach saluted. (1989, July 17). Centre Daily Times, p6.

Coach saluted

Two weeks ago, my 12-year old son, Trevin, played his last game in the Bellefonte Little League. His older brother, Brendan, finished his Little League career two years ago. Both my sons played for the Mid-State Bank team, which has been coached for the past 20-plus years by Allan Thal (ably assisted for a number of years by Kent Laubscher and Mike Shutt).

It is true, I know, that Little League baseball has come in for its share of criticism in recent years, and some of that criticism is probably justified. Indeed, I have not always found myself in total agreement with Mr. Thal, mostly because I continue to believe that every player - no matter age, skill level of import of the game - should play at least one inning (and preferably two) of every game.

But I write not to outline my occasional differences with Allan Thal, but rather to salute him. One cannot help but be impressed by his extraordinary devotion and dedication to the game - how many of us would spend literally hundreds of hours every spring and summer for more than two decades on a voluntary activity that pays nothing? But the time he has invested in Little League is not all that sets Mr. Thal apart from many other coaches. Rather, it is the exemplary way he treats youngsters between the ages of 9 and 12.

There are many words I could use to describe the special relationship that exists between Mr. Thal and his "Bankers," but my two sons said it best when I asked them what made Mr. Thal such a good coach to play for. Treven said, "Teaching us the skills and correcting us instead of yelling at us when we made a mistake." Brendan described Mr. Thal's biggest attribute in a single word: "Patience," he said.

I don't know how many more years Mr. Thal will coach Little League in Bellefonte, but I do know how glad I am that he was the coach during the eight years that my two sons played for the Mid-State bank team. I say that not to be critical of any other coach, for there are many fine ones in Bellefonte, but in recognition of one very special one.

Terry A. Dalton, Castleton, Vt.