Youth baseball provides bonding opportunities

There are no massive home runs.

No "Web Gems" for ESPN to show.

No one boos when a player makes an out, and cheers of encouragement are heard even when a player misplays a groundball.

The simple pleasures of baseball can still be found at the youth level, where the bond between fathers and sons remains strong.

When the Cardinals and A's were battling at Busch Stadium last week, teams of 9-year-old boys with the same nicknames battled on the youth fields at Capaha Park.

The A's, starting the night a player short, were coached by a pair of dads -- Mark Graham and Walt Margrabe. Despite having only eight in the field and having to take an out for the vacant spot in the lineup, the A's built a 5-0 lead on the Cardinals. Then, in the top of the fifth inning, the Cardinals began to battle back, taking advantage of the outfielder shortage and accepting several six-ball walks -- the rule in the 9-year-old youth league.

Graham walked toward the mound for a conference -- one that more closely resembled a team hug as all eight A's darted toward the middle of the diamond.

Not long into meeting, Zach Graham, the coach's son, turned toward the A's fans sitting alongside the third-base side and told everybody his father's inspiring pep talk.

"Blonde joke," Zach exclaimed.

Rather than discuss the best way to work the next hitter, as a major league manager would do, Graham continued his light-hearted method of breaking the tension during mound visits by turning into a comedian.

While most of the A's left the meeting shaking their heads in confusion over the joke, Graham accomplished his mission as his pitcher's face lit up in a smile, forgetting the problems on the field.

Mark Graham said opportunities like that -- serving as a role model for children and working with them -- is what makes coaching worthwhile.

Margrabe agreed that there are more important tasks for the two coaches than the baseball game on the field.

"There are some of these kids who don't have a father who is active in their life," Margrabe said. "This gives us a chance to give them a male role model."

Graham and Margrabe have been coaching their sons since they began playing together in kindergarten and cherish the opportunity to teach their sons baseball, much like their fathers did with them.

"This is how my dad spent time with me," Mark Graham said. Margrabe, whose son, Aaron, plays on the A's, nodded in agreement.

Graham, who also has coached his daughter, said ballgames are a family tradition.

"During the summer, this is family time," he said. "We've spent a lot of time in the back yard, just the three of us."