Jason Dutra: Ferndale Recreation Volunteer Coach of the Year
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 22, 2014)
Jason Dutra loves coaching baseball and the passion he has for mentoring kids and sharing the love of the game has led him to earn Ferndale Recreation’s 2014 Youth Baseball Volunteer Coach of the Year.
Dutra started coaching in Ferndale when his son Max was six years old. That was almost eight years ago. Now at 13, Max is still in the game, playing with the Ferndale Rays while his dad coaches the team. “The main reason I coach is the extra time I get to spend with my children, the opportunity to share in their highs and lows and advise them along the way.” Dutra also has two daughters who are involved in sports. Eight year old Isabel plays in the coach-pitch league for the Ferndale Tigers, and six year old Abigail plays T-ball for the Ferndale Indians.
“I still love the competition that coaching brings. I enjoy working with kids and want to give them a positive role model to look up to,” Dutra said. “I enjoy seeing a player improve over the years. I’ve had a few that have come onto the team with no baseball experience, after working with them and them putting in hard work, they turn into good ball players.”
Memories of playing ball on a team his father coached also helped encourage him to give his children the same experience. “I grew up in Santa Maria California. I played baseball and basketball as a kid. Sports were really important to me and my family. I loved the competition, camaraderie with teammates and the time I was able to spend with my father who was my coach.” He also was a coach for his younger sister’s Boys and Girls Club Basketball team when he was 15 years old.
In addition to coaching baseball, Dutra spent four years coaching the Ferndale Recreation Basketball League. Friend and fellow sports-lover Mike Pozolo has been his assistant coach in both sports. “He keeps me grounded when I lose my cool and gives sound game day advice,” Dutra said.
Ferndale Recreation Director Jill Manchik praised Dutra, saying “Coach Dutra has demonstrated great sportsmanship, dedication and enthusiasm towards our youth baseball program for many years. We appreciate everything Coach Dutra has done and continues to do for the kids in this community as we do all our volunteer coaches.”
After so many years of coaching, Dutra has advice for those who want to get involved.  “My advice would be to stay patient, stay positive and continue practicing the basic fundamentals of baseball,” he said.
To learn more about Ferndale Recreation, including their programs for people of all ages and opportunities to volunteer, visit their website at http://www.ferndalerecreation.org/.
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