Scott Hayes certainly appreciates the importance of being a loyal assistant baseball coach, as he has served in that capacity for eleven years for the Stafford Strivers traveling baseball team. During that time, he has understood the goals and values of Tom Michaels, a very successful head coach for over twenty years.

Perhaps that is why Coach Michaels, who is stepping down, is recommending Scott to replace him in the position of head baseball coach of the Strivers. Scott has developed a complete knowledge of the game but, more importantly, observed how Coach Michaels did more than teach the elements of the game. Michaels showed love and concern for every player he coached and earned the respect and cooperation that led to the team's successes.

Given the opportunity to serve as head coach, Scott aspires to model Michaels's coaching style, but he will soon discover the challenges that a head coach faces, both leading up to the season and battling through an arduous schedule of league games, nonleague games, and tournaments.

The question is, using his strong faith, can Scott quickly develop into the kind of coach he desires to be as he leads the Strivers into a new chapter for the assistant coaches, sponsors, and players?