45°
Tony Daniello is a 52-year-old grandfather who has already coached his sons through the Norwalk baseball program. So what he's doing going back to square one, coaching 4-year-olds in the Recreation and Parks T-ball league? It's not the easiest gig in the world. "When the ice cream truck pulls up, they all want to run over to it,'' Tony says.
Daniello, however, loves children and baseball. That's why he's back for another round of coaching. His sons, Bryan and Anthony, help him along with Gerald Anastasia, the Recreation and Parks athletic director. Bryan plays on the Brien McMahon baseball team, and Anthony played in college. "It keeps me going,'' Tony Daniello says. "My goal is to try to prepare them for the next level. Baseball is a tough sport. You really have to work at it."
T-Ball players are taught twice a week for 1 ½-2 hours at Ponus Ridge Middle School. Daniello creates stations where youngsters work on skills such as throwing, catching and hitting. Daniello's trick is to keep them engaged. "At that age, they're playing in the dirt and stuff like that if you don't keep things moving,'' he says.
Children play in the league up to age 6. After several weeks of instruction, the players begin games. "You'd be surprised how quickly they pick things up,'' Daniello says. "You'll see a big difference between the beginning and the end."
Daniello has been involved with Norwalk baseball for nearly 20 years. He has coached every level, and directed the Fall baseball program last year. "I teach the kids the way I was taught,'' Daniello says. With a nine-month old grandson, he'll be coaching for a lot more years. "I guess,'' Daniello says, "I'll be there a while."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
