Watching SportsCenter one morning the Little League World Series bracket flashed up on the screen and to my dismay there was not a team from Baltimore listed. How can this be? I am pretty sure one of the best funded little leagues teams in the country plays right here in Baltimore. I have never actually seen them play, but I know they must be well funded. I am sure you have seen their coach around. He is the guy who is “neither a beggar nor a bum,” but the coach of a little league baseball team. He carries a clipboard and wears a fanny-pack to hold all of the donations from the generous, baseball loving citizens of Baltimore.
He must be the hardest working coach in little league baseball. He has asked me for donations while at a Ravens tailgate. He has also found me at both Sliders and Pickles before an O’s game. He tried to take advantage of me when I was walking back from Stalking Horse by hoping I would want to impress the girl I was bringing back. Unfortunately for him she most casual of 1s and I did not need to impress her. Today I spotted him on the Circulator, I made it off just in time as he was making his way forward on the bus, clipboard in hand. I even saw him one time outside of Camden Yards getting his picture taken by police. (I don’t know why they would be taking a picture of a little league baseball coach. Maybe it was for a plaque from the mayor for his tireless service for the city’s youth.)
Now he may be the hardest working coach in little league baseball, but he must not know a double from a double-play. With the kind of funding he collects for his team he could be offering a signing bonus to Danny Almonte’s son (or maybe grandson considering he played in the LLWS at age 30). However he has been unable to convert his high-paid talent into a winning product on the field. Peter Angelos should be happy to know he is no longer the worst baseball owner in town. I really hope Coach “I’m neither a beggar nor a bum” can turn it around next season so Baltimore can be represented in the LLWS. Until then everyone should make sure to donate as much as possible to the cause.
