Where would we be without our dads?

In honor of Father’s Day – so I’m almost a week late, big deal – it’s the perfect time to give credit one of the most important unofficial groups that keep the New Berlin Athletic Association’s baseball program going year in and year out.

Dads play a huge role in the day-to-day happenings of the league. Of course, moms do to, but Mother’s Day was so last month.

Many fathers make up the NBAA’s board of directors. Their children have either played in the past or are playing now.

Many coaches are dads coaching their own sons or daughter.

But just as important as board directors and coaches are the fathers that show up to practice or games just to lend a helping hand.

Nick and I have been fortunate to have an active group of dads that want to help their own child and others grow in the game of baseball. In fact, at practice Thursday we had three parents fight the heat and pitch in. That day, we only had six players show up, giving us a silly 6-to-5 player-to-adult ratio and the individual attention we were able to provide made it one of the best practices of the season.

Two of the parents there Thursday – Jude’s dad, Keith, and Matthew’s dad, Mike – are about as permanent fixtures on our team as errant throws and untimely potty breaks. I think I’ve missed more combined games and practices than they have this season.

Before games, they are playing catch with the players, getting them warmed up. During the games, you can usually find one of them coaching first base and the other at third giving high fives to the players and reminding them to keep running to the next station when the ball is hit.

Before we take the field, Keith is often helping the catcher get his or her shin guards on while Mike is helping the rest of the players find their misplaced hats and gloves.

At practice, their presence is even more valuable. Keith and Mike shag overthrows so the kids don’t waste valuable time doing so. They help players get in the right position to field the ball, make sure they keep their back foot planted when they swing, keep kids positive when they or one of their teammates makes a mistake ... the list goes on and on.

Even more importantly, they listen to Nick and me. We coach them on what we want to do and how we think it should be done, and they coach the players. It’s a simple relationship that benefits the entire team, and especially the 6-year-olds learning the game.

Nick and I might be able to survive without Keith and Mike and the other dads that help out, but we're glad we don’t have try to. Happy belated Father’s Day to all those that help make the NBAA possible.