Playing Days

Participating in organized baseball began for me in 1975 playing in a four team Tee-Ball program run by Northeast Seattle Little League. The teams were named after the Northwest members of the Pac-12 (then the Pac-8) Conference: Beavers (my team), Ducks, Cougars and Huskies.

That was the first in 16 years of great memories, lifelong friendships made, challenges, frustration, disappointments and learning to be humble in victory (fleeting) and to grow strong and remain determined in defeat (happens throughout life).

Playing sports, I am convinced, is unequaled in the lessons it teaches us about life. My ‘official’ playing career concluded after being a member of the Chicago Cubs organization in 1989 and 1990. Yes….the dream came and went in the blink of an eye. Chasing a dream is something for every child to embrace and for us parents to encourage.

The thing we want to put at the forefront of our thoughts and actions is to help our kids, and for us as parents, to enjoy each moment of the journey, and all the good that is offered in those moments. Today’s moment is real. We do not know if the dream will be achieved, or how long a person may live in that dream.

I say ‘official’ regarding my playing career because, since then, I played four seasons of semi-pro ball in my late 20’s and early 30’s. This past January (2021) marked 32 years since playing in my first Snowshoe Softball Tournament in the mountains of North Idaho. This is a three weekends long, modified fastpitch tournament that recently celebrated its golden anniversary.. …why do I mention these additional playing days? Because my experiences as a little kid forged in me a love for this great game that grows every year.

And I, like many of us weekend warriors, have logged many more years playing as an adult, then as a child. For most athletes, their childhood careers are brief. However, if during those years, kids find that love of playing, they can take the many joys involved far into adulthood ……life.

As parents and coaches, we hold in our hands these small globs of clay with the potential of molding them to love a game they can take hold of, embrace, and make a part of the rest of their lives, far beyond these precious few years they play during their youth.

Coaching in College

As a coach, I was an Assistant on Gene Stephenson’s staff at Wichita State (’93-’95) and the staff of June Raines’ University of South Carolina club (’95-’96).  Head Coaching days included (what was then NCAA D-I) Centenary College in La. (’96-’98), then Skagit Valley CC in Mt. Vernon WA (2000-03). 

RADIO color commentator

The summer of 2007 I attended an open tryout for a position as Radio Color Commentator for the Vancouver Canadians, then a minor league affiliate of the Oakland A’s.  My understanding is it was a publicity stunt as much as anything. Minor league baseball has a long history of trying anything to create awareness and interest in their teams.  They picked me to go on air for a game. I was told they might stretch it to 3 or 4 if that first try wasn’t a total disaster.  [:o

After a couple games the GM called me into his office ‘for a talk’ (uh-oh).  The meeting concluded with an offer to join Play-by-Play guy, Rob Fai for the season…….and be paid $100/game! …….Woohoo, that was so cool!! 

It was a fun summer with a lot of memorable experiences. Included in those was watching Sean Doolittle in his first year of pro ball …….when he played First Base.  He is not the first, or the last, player to begin a pro career as a position player, only to be converted to a pitcher. For some it becomes the path to realizing their Major League dream.

Working With Kids and Youth Coaches

From 2008 to the present, I have been the Director of Baseball Positive, working with youth leagues, coaches, players, and parents.  Prior to that time, as a player, and then as a coach, my sights were always set on being involved at the higher levels of the game.

But life takes unanticipated turns. During a Superbowl party at my brother Todd’s house (former MLB player 2003-2007) a college teammate of his, who owned a batting facility, asked me to come in and help him with the growing requests he was getting for private lessons.

While helping him through his busy period I bumped into some old childhood friends and teammates. They were bringing their kids in. I learned that local leagues wanted training for their coaches and kids. Before I knew it, I was working with a dozen leagues, their coaches, and players. My day job was ditched and Baseball Positive was born.

The first couple of years were challenging; a huge learning experience. I was bringing a college and pro mindset to working with kids. It was a ton of fun, but very quickly it became clear that the 60’ game is different than the one played on the 90’ diamond.

Teaching skills to kids, rather than teens and college players, I soon found, required an entirely different approach. During those first two years, there was a lot of trial and error as I learned how kids’ minds and bodies worked, and how they responded (or didn’t respond :) ) to instruction.

The result of the experience during those first years (and continuing through to today) is an approach to coaching kids that really works - they ‘Get it’!. Some of this I figured out, but much of what is found on this website, and what is taught in Baseball Positive Skills Classes, Coach Training Clinics and Summer Sandlot Games Camps, is a collection of bits and pieces shared with me by scores of youth baseball and softball coaches I have worked with over the years (David Reyes and Paul Lepley to name a couple who I learned from in the very beginning).

In this time I found there are two keys to kids truly learning from their coaches.

1. Recognize and accept their physical capabilities and limitations.

2. The use of terminology that is clear and makes sense to a kid’s brain.

In the decade following those early years of figuring things out, the experience has been amazing! A cool thing about working with kids is how quickly their skills develop; they are so raw (even 11 & 12 year old All-Stars). Better than seeing them improve is watching their excitment in recognizing they are getting better, and watching their confidence grow. Thirdly, it is nice to receive thanks from coaches. Hearing the line, “you made it so clear and easy”, never gets old.

This website and Baseball Positive programs are produced with the objective of simplifying the process of teaching and learning the game. My hope is that your child and you experience the greatest joy possible during their, and your, time being involved in this great game

The Mission of Baseball Positive:  Help create a coaching, learning, and playing environment that makes the on-field experience fulfilling and memorable for everyone.  Each child grows their passion for the game and has the desire to play again next year.

All the best,

Mark Linden