The boys of summer

During the day, Terry Caywood can be found filling out forms and sitting at his computer backing up files. When he’s with his two sons, though, you’re more likely to see him filling out a lineup card and teaching someone to back up first base.

As coach of the league champions, Terry Caywood was selected, along with his son, Chase, to be part of the league’s All-Star team, which won the district championship.

That’s because when he’s not in his office at Truett-McConnell College, where Caywood is vice president for administrative services, he’s a baseball coach at home for seven-year-old Truett (no kidding, that’s his name) and on the field for ten-year-old Chase in the White County Recreation Department.

A decent left fielder as a kid – put there because of his speed – Caywood has coached 18 different youth baseball teams over the past seven years. Additionally, he has coached his daughters and sons in soccer and sons in basketball. Lessons drawn from coaches while he was young stayed with him when he became a coach himself.

“I remember some coaches making practice fun,” he says. Instead of doing the same old thing every day, they would change things up and make them competitive, instead of doing drills for two hours.

“That’s something I want to do for these kids. At this age, it should be fun for them.”

At a practice, Caywood lofts a fly ball for one of his players. The administrator at Truett-McConnell College has coached 18 different youth baseball teams over the past seven years.

This season fun translated into wins for the Caywoods. Although in a league where parents and coaches didn’t keep score (wink, wink), True’s team had a winning season. As coach for the nine and ten year olds on the Storm, where Chase played, dad led the team to a league championship. For the summer playoff season, son was elected to play and father to coach the league All Star team.

The team went on a run, winning the district tournament championship and qualifying for the Georgia Parks and Recreation Associations 10-and-under Class C State Tournament held in Bremen in late July. Even though fielding only three players with All Star experience, the White County team still managed to place third in the tournament.

Even though it’s nice to win, Caywood maintains there are more things to learn than victories on the baseball diamond.

Coaching with character

“I take it as a privilege [to coach],” he says. “I believe that you can instill in them character through sports discipline. During practices, they’re having a good time and doing it in an environment that is positive. They’re all treated fairly and with Christian character.”

Caywood prepares hard for the baseball season. At each practice he has a printout of exercises and drills for the players. The lists don’t stop there, either. On the first day of practice a printed handout outlining expectations in conduct and behavior is given … to the parents.

“I demand parents have no negative comments and treat the kids with respect,” Caywood stresses. “I try to make an impact where the parents have a posiitve influence. If you’re organized and have high energy, kids want to come and parents take note.

Terry Caywood says his sons, Chase, sitting, and Truett have been playing baseball for a long time.

“At practice, I incorporate as much as possible those dads who want to be involved. We’ll have as many as eight or nine men around the field running different drills.”

When not coaching, Caywood has seen baseball work as a tool to reach others.

“My boys love the sport and so I take them to parks all the time just for fun. As a matter of fact, on Sunday afternoons a group of kids will meet us at a local ball field. Some have dropped by who don’t go to church.”

The group will have to be sure Caywood has time to play, though. After all, he’s currently coaching in a 9-12 year old fall baseball league.