Dewey: more than a boys knothole coach By: me Dewey was an asst. coach for the Knothole team I played w/ for a few brief summers called the Lions. I watched the Reds regularly but didnt have a clue on how to actually play the game of baseball. Up to this point I never owned a baseball, glove, or cleats. As a matter of fact I played my entire Knothole career w/o cleats! I always wore my old sneakers from the previous school yr. Dewey was extremely instrumental in the development of what little talent I had for the game. I had a brand new Rawlings glove and pardon the cliché but it was stiff as leather. Dewey educated me on a process of which to break it in. He told me about the leather conditioner to buy and to place a ball in the webbing in order to shape the glove as needed. He also gave me a hint of how to wear the glove. I used the technique all thru Knothole and high school. He instructed me to put my index finger into the same hole as my middle finger, leaving the index slot empty. On the occasions my parents couldnt do so; Dewey, out of his way, would pick me up and bring me home so I wouldnt miss practices or games. During one game I got hit rather hard w a pitch. It then created a bad habit of me flinching w/ my throwing hand when someone passed me the ball. He suggested to fix my habit that I keep my throwing arm behind me while catching passes until I overcame my fear of getting hit again. On another occasion, after I got new glasses, Dewey advised me to protect the lenses by never rubbing sand or dirt off of them w/ anything dry. To always wet the lenses before cleaning them, this would help avoid any unnecessary scratches. This didnt have much to do w/ baseball but it was advice like this that made him more than a coach. I have several memories of Dewey advising me on baseball and non baseball related issues. Too many for here. But I recall staying over w/ his son, also on the team, watching movies, playing in his game room garage, and tirelessly playing pass in his backyard. Its nice to reflect on memories such as these. The memories that help shape who we are w/o knowing it at the time. Dewey didnt have to tell me how to break in my glove, worry about my bad flinch, have concern for the lenses of my glasses, or make sure I missed as few games and practices as possible. But he did! He never told me why and I never ask. That doesnt really matter. All that matters is Dewey became a positive role model in a young boys life. Children can use as many of these as possible. I hope to be the same, not only in my girls lives, but any youth Im blessed to come into contact w/. Thank you Dewey Miller for doing all the things you didnt have to do! None of it has been forgotten! These days, nearly 30 yrs later, I help w/ my daughters softball team as much as possible. Maybe thats a subconscious tribute to Dewey or maybe its simply me paying it forward!
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 05:21:59 +0000