From Lights and Sirens to Bats and Gloves

Tomas Acosta retired in Valencia, Spain following his law enforcement career. He worked as a police officer and later in youth relations at the sheriff’s office in Naples, Florida. After coaching youth baseball for many years in the United States, he crossed paths with Valencia Astros Coach Juan Garcia Puig. From there, Acosta hit the bases as a coach with Astros.

“I’ve never been involved in coaching in that sense, being so diverse with different nationalities. With most of them, some kids, they do show up and they’re just beginning Spanish, but they might be better in English and that work pays off,” Acosta said. His team of 18 young people are from all over the world. He speaks both English and Spanish during his practices, and says the kids learn the language as the season progresses.

“Here, just the culture, the environment, the European sense of growing up, it’s different. These kids, most of them are pretty well educated in a sense [with manners], that sort of thing. It’s a lot easier to tell you the truth. You’ll get a couple of knuckleheads here or there. But nothing compared to the States where sometimes it’s difficult. It’s real difficult. It’s just the culture.” (Left) Billy, a bilingual player from Texas, leads the team in stretches before the game. Acosta said he lets the kids be independent while doing exercises. (Right) Acosta helps Oliver with being able to throw. Acosta said he has a show not tell method of coaching and he’ll often demonstrate the action himself.

The final game for the youth Valencia Astros team was on Monday, June 19, 2018. The game was a friendly between another local team, The Pirates. The Astros won the game.

Laps around the bases is a commonplace during practice. Occasionally, the kids will do sprints. The ages of the team range from 7 to 11.

More coaches have been added to the coaching team. “The other gentleman is from Venezuela. He’s seeking political asylum here, so he’s been here about a year. He loves baseball. He’s helping me out,” Acosta said. “They’re volunteers. I’m legally the one on people. The one in the black shirt, Miguel, he’s got two kids here. The other one, no. He just enjoys the game.”