WITS END - JO LEE Magazine

HALF TIME
By
James Mansell
Montréal – Québec
James Mansell – Sport Management. Member Canadian Baseball Academy – full
scholarship / / Donnie Mash Memorial Scholarship / Best Athlete student /
Scholarship, Wayne State, Nebraska USA. Athlete of the year / varsity Baseball
Captain / 3 time Jr. Elite All-Star / 3 time Jr. Elite Provincial Champion / Academic
Baseball Canada Alumnus / Coach-Counselor high performance athletes Baseball
Camp / Conceptual-principal developer sport drink / Founder-implementer Education
through Baseball Sport School.
Hi folks!
I
predict a
very successful career
for Russell Martin in major
league baseball.
I love being an advocate for giving back to our community
in return for the opportunity once given to us. Last year,
the fruits of my labor were rewarded in the successes of
Russell Martin.
I met Russell Martin Sr. through a major league baseball
scout who had asked if I was interested in coaching
baseball in the west end of Montreal. Russell was a hard
working musician whose passions were his son and sports.
Soon thereafter, I developed a relationship with both father
and son. For many summers, I would return from
University and coach a bunch of great kids on how to play
baseball. Russell Jr. always wanted to put the equipment
on and play behind the plate as catcher. Because of his
tremendous ability … we always told him to play in the
infield but as time passed - we came to realize his true
calling was that of a catcher.
My Coaching Highlight
LA DODGERS’ RUSSELL MARTIN
Ye a r s
passed - and I continued to
follow Russell’s career through his university
years in Florida and on to when he was being drafted by
the Los Angeles Dodgers. His transition and tremendous
ability to play catcher - had him rise through the Dodgers
organization in no time. I will never forget.
Many times at a local sports bar, Russell’s father and I
would watch the games. During one of those times, we
had no sooner turned to the screen when Russell was
hitting his first major league home run. I can’t tell you
what was more incredible! The home run or the
dumbfounded reaction on his father’s face.
For every hard day at practice and arguments with a
parent, there is a father like Russell Sr. and a son like
Russell Jr. that makes coaching very special. Thanks
Russell Sr. for trusting in me to coach your son.
Hey – have you nominated someone for THE ADESTE
Prize! www.adesteprize.com
96 JO LEE SUMMER 2007