Even though his work schedule keeps him traveling about 60 percent of the time, Bill McGinn makes sure not to miss his son’s Little League games—especially since he’s the coach.

McGinn, who is a vice president of national sales for the RELS companies, a joint venture between Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Inc., and First American Title Insurance Co., is one of the many working professionals who make time to coach area youth sports teams. With spring comes the start of Little League, and many long, but worthwhile, nights and weekends for coaches and participants.

“Before each week begins, I plan out my traveling and the rest of my week,” McGinn said. “I try to stack my daughter’s soccer practice and baseball practice on the same night.”

As a dual-sport coach, McGinn relies on his flexible work schedule to help him meet his coaching obligations.

“I’m fortunate that I have a lot of flexibility due to the hours that I spend on the road and on my laptop at night,” McGinn said. “It’s never been an issue for me to slip out at 4 p.m., where that could be a problem for others.”

Dentist Bob Grask is taking this year off from coaching Little League, now that his two sons are both in Senior League. But he will continue to coach for the Dowling Sunkids wrestling club, which keeps him busy from November to April.

“Sometimes you have to leave the office early, but to me, it’s all important,” Grask said. “My patients are very understanding of this.”

Grask’s choice to coach Little League related back to his fond memories of playing the game.

“Maybe I’m just a big kid at heart, but youth sports were one of my favorite things growing up,” Grask said. “I know that I learned a lot of values and social skills through sports. Once my kids got involved, there was no stepping back.”

Grask said being a part of his children’s sports experiences helps keep him from getting burned out by working too much.

“The girls (office assistants) tell me I don’t take enough vacation around here,” Grask said. “Youth sports forced me to do that to go to out of town sometimes. It’s my way of enjoying time with my kids and relaxing away from the office.”

After 15 years of coaching kids, John Quinn says that you “get a routine down” for meeting the dual commitments to work and to coaching.

Quinn, special agent in charge of criminal investigations for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, says that his reasons for coaching are simple. Quinn said though some coaches may live vicariously through their kids, he already had accomplished all his athletic goals while playing quarterback for Iowa State..

“I’m just there to provide a positive environment for the kids to develop their skills and learn the fundamentals of baseball,” Quinn said. “Plus, my son is participating, so it’s fun to be involved in something that he loves and have the chance to share that with him.”

Quinn has coached all three of his sons at some time. He said Little League has been a good force in the lives of the players he’s worked with.

“They learn the fundamentals of the game and a little bit about life—how they can overcome obstacles and handle them in a positive fashion,” Quinn said. “We may not win every game, but hopefully it’s a good experience for them to improve and learn a little bit about what they want to work towards.”

McGinn said Little League provides valuable lessons for players and coaches alike.

“The kids learn teamwork, working with others and respecting coaches, which are skills that go way beyond baseball,” McGinn said. “In myself, I notice a crossover to my working life in time management and setting clear expectations. I think there are some similarities to both leadership roles.”

In all, the three men conclude that coaching is time well-spent. Other interests can wait, Grask said.

“I just want to be involved with the kids’ lives early on so that 10 years from now I’m not wishing that I had,” McGinn said.

“They’re only going to be this age once,” Grask said. “I could go pursue my golfing game, but to me, my kids are worth it, and I enjoy being with them now. I’ll get it back up there. I can do golfing after they’re raised and grown.”