Sports Stories – coachdeesays

“Hey fellers! Who wants to go swimmin with me?”

Hey folks. So anyhow. I took my Red Bank basketball teams to summer camp at Tennessee Tech, for several years. We had just won the county championship the past season. So, I ignorantly expected to continue to win most games. Guess what? Sometimes, you just got what you got. The first couple of games at camp, we got waxed,Continue reading ““Hey fellers! Who wants to go swimmin with me?””

Stories from the Bleachers

ANTHONY GONZALES “thekingofpinstripes” Hey folks. So anyhow. I invite you to read my interview with lifetime Yankees fan, Anthony Gonzales, “thekingofpinstripes” I sat down with Anthony and his lovely gal, Cristina, during a homestand at Yankee Stadium in May. Me: Anthony, tell the folks when you started attending Yankee games. Anthony: My dad used to takeContinue reading “Stories from the Bleachers”

Did you hit today?

Hey folks. So anyhow. Bailee and her boyfriend, Peanuts, are coming down for the Fourth of July week. His name is Chandler. He tried to play a joke on me that I quickly turned around on him. Bless his heart! Thus, the nickname Peanuts. You’ll have to ask him for the dirty rotten details. TheyContinue reading “Did you hit today?”

Just “Staton” the facts

“Fellas. This is the day we’ve been waiting for all year. The first day of practice. The Tennessee Tech and Gordon Lee camps, over the summer, helped prepare us for this day. We will “Work hard, play hard and have fun.” We won’t talk about winning. We will “Live the moment and enjoy this journey” thatContinue reading “Just “Staton” the facts”

The “Long Run”

Bo Chamberlain is my “cuz” by marriage on my wife, Emily’s, side of the family. We used to teach together at Red Bank Middle. We had a lot of fun with our students, making them laugh, and enjoy learning Geography. Bo currently teaches at The Baylor School. We recently had supper as a family whenContinue reading “The “Long Run””

Grayson

One day, I’m getting ready to go to baseball practice. Emily: “Hey! I just got a message from Andrea that they are bringing Grayson down for the weekend.” Me: “Oh really? That would be neat. We have a game Friday night. Maybe they can come to the game.” Emily: “I will text her and seeContinue reading “Grayson”

“Shoeless” Will Hamill

This story takes place back in 1999, before the turn of the century. Back before we had fancy cell phones with cameras, social media and all that kind of stuff. It’s about a guy named Will. He was the top player on my golf team that year at Red Bank Middle School. We hit itContinue reading ““Shoeless” Will Hamill”

Wisdom from a “Bandwagon” Fan!

Hey folks. So anyhow.. My gal Emily and I went to Game 1 of the MLB ALDS game between Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox. Tropicana Field, or as I call it, “The Juice Box,” is hands down the worst stadium in baseball. The ceiling is so low that sometimes a fly ballContinue reading “Wisdom from a “Bandwagon” Fan!”

Red Bank’s Gabe Jones is “Living his dreams.” I’m not LION!

I first met Gabe Jones in January, 2020. I taught and coached at Red Bank Middle from 1995-2011. After retirement, my wife and I moved to Clearwater, Florida for the climate, beach and, yes, the abundance of MLB teams that train in the area. Tyler Phillips played baseball for me at Red Bank from 2007-2009.Continue reading “Red Bank’s Gabe Jones is “Living his dreams.” I’m not LION!”

A Rose Named Bailee

This sweet gal just started her first day of college. She’s an all state softball pitcher and home run power hitter. She led Red Bank High Scholl in Chattanooga to the state tournament, pitching every single game! She excelled in the classroom and in the community. She was voted “Athlete of the Year” at RedContinue reading “A Rose Named Bailee”