If there is a column for “Presidential Energy” in the equation by which Little Leagues are evaluated, you can check the “yes” box on San Marino’s application.
Not that his predecessors have lacked in that category, but 2017 head man Sean Gill – excuse the analogy – knocks it out of the park.
The passion that pours from every part of his soul is rooted in the Gill Family’s experience in San Marino. Read on.
“My wife and I are both originally from Michigan and we moved to San Marino in 2006,” said Gill, an executive recruiter in “real life.” “We did not know a soul and we started at ground zero. Then, our oldest son, Brendan, started in T-ball and our entire San Marino experience opened up.”
Gill began coaching and managing, got involved behind the scenes and accepted a role as vice president of finance. As is custom, Gill was nominated three seasons ago by then-President Nam Jack and was put into the queue. He was officially nominated and approved by San Marino National Little League’s general board and the rest is, actually, the future.
“I consider Little League to be one of the crown jewel, blue chip sports for young people and I believe in sports playing a strong role in the development of a young person’s personality,” Gill said. “I knew it was a big role and I knew I would regret it if I didn’t take it.”
Though familiar with all athletic pursuits, Gill said “there is something unique to softball and baseball.”
“It’s the slow build-up of tension in the game,” he told The Tribune.
“These are also the only sports where kids spend half of the game in a confined area they aren’t allowed to leave. They have to support their teammates in tough times and they celebrate together in good times. Every kid has a moment when they are at the plate and all eyes are on him or her. I love the notion of teaching a group of kids when it doesn’t go well. Softball and baseball are cruel sports. They are really about who fails the least. For those many reasons it’s a great program. This year, I am encouraging my coaches to focus more on helping kids than on winning games.”
And Gill will be doing so with his family at his side. Sons Brendan, 12, attends Huntington Middle School; Gannon, 10, is a 5th grader at Carver and Casey, 9, is a 4th grader at Carver. Their names all appear on SMNLL rosters.
That alone will keep Sean and his wife, Anne, plenty busy this spring.
“Anne loves to go to all of the games and help out in planning the many social events that orbit Little League,” said the Prez. “We will have three kids on different fields so we will have our hands full and hope to have at least one parent at each game.”
He then added “I did not accept the nomination without Anne’s clearance first.”
Gill, in real life an executive recruiter focusing on finance, played Little League as a boy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and hopes each young person in the league has a good experience.
“I love to win, but when you look at it from a third-party perspective, I just want them to be better people and softball and baseball give them a better chance,” he said.
Knowing people vote with their feet, Gill said the upcoming season will be a success “If every kid wants to return and play softball or baseball next year. That to me is the sign of a good coach and a good program.”
Gill’s energy will be on display when the first pitch flies at Opening Day on Sat., Feb. 25.
