Removal of Legion coach bad for baseball

To the editor:

I grew up in a small town in what some would consider rural Alaska about 70 miles north of Wasilla. I was lucky enough to have parents who drove me the 140 miles every day in the summer to play baseball for the Little League program in Wasilla. Baseball quickly became part of my summer life, including the hour and a half commute each way.

As a freshman at Susitna Valley High School, that aspect of my summer life changed when I was no longer allowed to play because my school didn’t have a team. Having to wait until American Legion Post 35 started their season was agonizing for many reasons, but mostly because many of the other players had been practicing for two months prior my first practice.

My second season with the Road Warriors is when I first met Coach Myrl “Boone” Thompson, and I was not a fan. Coach Thompson was blunt, sarcastic, and very sure of himself — unlike any coach I’ve ever had.

However, knowing I was starting many weeks after most of the other players on the Road Warriors, Coach Thompson spent hours of one-on-one time before and after practice so I wouldn’t be behind the curve.

He pressured me to fix my swing, better my position play and asked me to continue challenging myself. The next two years, I had the privilege of having Coach Boone help me develop as a ballplayer as well as a person.

As a high school student, I petitioned ASAA (Alaska School Activities Association) to allow athletes whose schools don’t provide a certain sport to play at the neighboring school. Coach Thompson was one of the strongest advocates, helping me when talking to the ASAA officials, after being told numerous times “It will not happen.” When my teachers and principal agreed with ASAA, Coach Thompson urged me to be persistent and continue badgering ASAA with requests. In January 2010, it was allowed that students whose schools do not supply a sport be permitted to play for a neighboring school, which is found in Section 12 Article 9 of the ASAA handbook. I have many people to thank for that, but most of the credit goes to Boone Thompson.

These are minor examples that pale in comparison to all that Thompson has done for baseball in the Mat-Su Valley. His removal from American Legion Post 35 would not only be disappointing to baseball in the state of Alaska, but would be robbing many of the future generations of a smart and genuine mentor.

I am proud to have had the honor of Myrl Thompson being my coach.

Patrick FitzGerald

Talkeetna resident

currently in college in

Ellensburg, Washington