What is like as a father to watch your son grow up playing baseball in little league, high school, and now at the college level?

 I think it is exciting, but all of us feel nervous.  We share in the high-times and the low-times.  Early on, in youth ball, it was just fun to see Jeff out there having fun.  As he got older and progressed through the different levels, it obviously became more serious.  I recall looking around during the games at Saugus the past few years, and seeing different parents with the pained, almost miserable expressions at crucial points in games.  It was one of the bonds that we as parents shared.  We as parents feel helpless, much like a coach does during games. You want them to do well, but at the same time we are aware that no one succeeds in baseball all of the time.  I have always looked forward to the games, and always will.  It is great that Jeff has chosen to continue playing a game that has always been a big part of my life. 

 

Has he surprised you along the way or were you always convinced of his talents?

I think I realized early on that he was pretty athletic, but I had no idea what would come of it.  I felt he held his own in the youth leagues, but I had no idea what to expect in regard to the caliber and competition for playing time at the high school level.  As he got to high school, I think he showed that he was on par with the other players.  Interestingly, so much of what goes on with playing time in high school is determined by what position(s) a player can play, and what the needs of the program are at that point.  Early in Jeff's high school career, he had many older, talented players at his position.  However, by the time he was a junior, that group was no longer there, so he had access to playing time.  It worked out for him, but that is not always the case.  We had many instances where good players did not crack the lineup because we had other established players ahead of them.  I thought he had a good four years at Saugus.  As you coaches may remember, he came into the program at Saugus as a power-hitting third baseman, and left as a leadoff-hitting centerfielder!  I don't know that I could have predicted that, but I think the position change has benefitted him, certainly in post-high school baseball, which I think was the point of the change all along. 

 

Your son, Jeff, is one of the more quality individuals we know. Are you more proud of his athletic ability or the character he has shown as a person? 

Ability, of course!!!  Seriously, this is easy.  Character, no contest.  While I am proud of what he has accomplished on the field, it has always been the way he goes about it that has impressed me the most.  Sports is such a good vehicle for teaching kids about life.  Dealing with disappointments, learning how to cope with the ups and downs, developing responsibility and discipline are character traits that are so necessary for success in life.

 

What is your fondest memory of your son on the baseball field? 

A few come to mind, but probably the main one is from the pony league when he was 13 years old.  Playoff game against our top competitor.  Up 6-3 in the last inning.  Our pitcher suddenly can't throw strikes.  Jeff came into pitch with the bases loaded and a 3-0 count on the hitter.  Comes back to strike that hitter out, gets a ground ball out, and strikes out the final hitter.  We win 6-4,  and go on to win the championship.    

 

Can you tell some of our current parents what it was like during Jeff’s four years playing for the West Ranch coaching staff at Saugus High? 

I really enjoyed the coaching staff at Saugus.  I think I have a perspective on things with the coaching staff and the program that was not necessarily unique but was not exactly common either.  When I was younger I played in youth leagues, high school and college.  Later, I coached in youth leagues.  I have always been a baseball fan.  At Saugus, I think all of that came into play.  I understand what it is like to play and to coach, and I think I understand the game and the complexities and dynamics of all of it.  It is not easy, coaching a team in high school.  There is not enough playing time to go around.  That is always going to be a problematic issue. I was probably most impressed, and surprised by, the accessibility of the coaching staff to the parents.  I think the coaching staff was able to use the relationships they had with players and parents to better nurture the positive environment for the program and strengthen their relationships with the players.  That accessibility is not at all customary in high school programs.  I have gotten to know the coaching staff pretty well over the past few years.  I am impressed by the devotion to the players and the energy the staff has.  A lot of work was done to turn that program around, from the team to the field and the involvement of the booster club to get things done.  These are caring, classy guys doing what they can to make our kids better people.  They make decisions that are not easy, but the make those decisions in a fair manner.  They are doing good things the right way.

 

What did you like and/or dislike about the high school baseball experience? 

I liked everything, from the first booster club meeting prior to Jeff beginnning his freshman year through the playoff loss to Villa Park last season.  I think the best memories are just the simple things, the hanging out during games with the other "Advisory Committee" members, the field work days (although I don't miss those!), the postgame meals with other families, and the night-before-games feeding of the team, the Vegas tournaments were great fun.  I disliked the tough losses.  I disliked the negative feelings that came out over issues of playing time.  It is really hard on the kids to deal with the turmoil when the family is outspoken and negative against the program. That negativity is not going to change the fact, and no one wins when things get ugly.  The worst feeling was the finality after the Villa Park loss.  That was an awful feeling.  It was very surprising, the depth of that feeling.  The four years go by so quickly, and end so suddenly.   

 

Was it difficult to stop coaching your son when he got to high school and let other coaches take over?

As a father, do you ever really stop coaching? I don't think any of us who have coached are ever ready to relinquish the coaching part.  Anyone who has listened to the conversations of the Advisory Committee knows that we are still expert coaches!  Actually, I think it is good for the players to get away from the father-coaches and move on to different coaches in high school.  I think it allows for a new style, new messages and a better environment and better coaching.  That does not mean that it is easy for all of us who had done it earlier, however.  Being on the opposite side of the fence is frustrating at times.  The committee always new what we should have done! 

 

Our coaching staff is always stressing the importance of academics to our student-athletes. As an outside voice, can you reiterate the importance of a good education?

 Academics is the most important thing that goes on in school.  The athletics are called extra-curricular, and they are meant to be, although they are time consuming.  I cannot tell you how many players I have seen over the years who were unable to take advantage of opportunities they had earned on the field because they did not take care of the academic part.  Sports for almost every player will be a short-term part of life.  Academics will play a role in every part of your life.  Coach Burrill made an interesting comment a few years ago when he said (paraphrasing) "Baseball gave me lots of fun and memories, but my education pays my bills." 

 

We believe in building relationships that last far beyond the day our seniors graduate. We have been fortunate enough to have your assistance on and off the baseball field. We will continue to have the support of the Knosp family in the future?

My family had a relationship with the coaching staff at Saugus that was not strictly baseball-related.  My son had coaching staff members as teachers, as did my daughter.  My daughter knows the coaching staff through her time spent taking photos at games.  My wife is Mrs. Coach hairdresser.  I have spent much time conversing with the coaches about baseball and other things.  Coach Burrill has asked me to be available to spend time with his new program, although I have heard that he mainly wants me to be around to balance the politics of the coaching staff.  I don't think he finds many liberal democrats when he looks around at practice.  I believe in what this staff is doing, and I will always be around to support them, as will my family.  I enjoy interacting with the staff, and following what they are doing.  I look forward to the day that they win a CIF Championship!  

 

If you could invite any three people in the history of the world over for dinner, whom would you choose? 

Anyone who has enjoyed baseball as much as I have over the years would love to have the opportunity to spend time with Vin Scully.  I would love to hear all of his stories.  I am interested in history, and who better to hear talk about the things he has covered than Walter Cronkite.  Finally, and it is tough narrowing it to three, but probably Robert F. Kennedy.  He is a man who dealt with personal tragedy and admirably found a way to come out the other side with a passion and committment to helping those in need. Martin Luther King would be there if I could invite four. 

 

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