Youngstown Hard Chrome coach Jerry Velasquez is no stranger to the game of baseball. From the time

Youngstown Hard Chrome coach Jerry Velasquez is no stranger to the game of baseball. From the time that he was 8 years old to the present, Jerry has been involved with the game in some capacity.

He is currently the head coach of the Youngstown Hard Chrome team in the Poland Community Baseball Association. His son Brian, 10, is a player.

The 9 and 10-year-olds are right in the thick of their season with the playoffs in sight.

For Jerry, coaching may even outweigh playing. The joy of being able to teach young children all about the game is what really matters to him, and he doesn’t mind it. “I just love the game of baseball, and it’s great to be able to share it with these kids.”

As a first-year manager, Velasquez is only learning how special coaching in the PCBA can be.

Q: Did you play baseball when you were younger? If so, how old were you when you started and what position did you play?

A: Yes, I started playing ball in the Boardman Little League. I was mainly a pitcher.

Q: How long have you been coaching?

A: Well, this is my first year managing, but I have an older son who is 14 and I help out with his team. Ever since I was in high school I’ve been coaching in some capacity, usually just helping out.

Q: What is the most beneficial things about coaching?

A: Watching the kids who are less athletic than the others improve and get better over the course of the season. I like seeing the joy on their faces when they get to do that.

Q: What is your best memory as a player? As a coach?

A: As a player, I would have to say my best memory was pitching a perfect game in Boardman Little League. As a coach, I don’t think I have a specific moment, but I like when we’re down in the bottom of the sixth and we make a comeback. In the later innings, when the whole team contributes and we’re able to make a comeback, that’s my favorite part of it.

Q:What can kids learn from an organized activity, such as baseball, that they couldn’t learn at home?

A: Fundamentals. I teach them fundamentals and we continue to work on them throughout the year. By instilling them early, they’ll have them as they move on.

Q: What professional athlete do you use as a role model? Why?

A: Cal Ripken Jr. I base a lot of my coaching and philosophies after him. I’ve read a lot of his books and I try to bring that with me to the dugout. He teaches toughness and discipline.

Q: Who was your favorite baseball player growing up? Why?

A: Nolan Ryan. Partly because he was a pitcher, but mainly because of his desire. He would go out and pitch nine innings, and then you’d find him in the clubhouse on the bike or working out after the game. He’d always be working.

Q: What are your favorite and least favorite professional baseball teams?

A: Probably my favorites are the Indians and the Pirates, only because of how close they are and we can go up to a game. I really love baseball, so I don’t think I really have a least favorite team. I just love the game, so I don’t really have one.

XInterview by Jon Moffett, Vindicator staff writer