I Might Be Wrong: Family trumps baseball

Tough, hard and bitter sweet is the way Sean Sers characterized his decision to leave his coaching and teaching job in Barstow for a position at Apple Valley High School.

Who could blame the former Barstow High School baseball coach?

On one side he had a baseball team coming off an incredible season. On the other side, he had his family to think about.

“I chose what was best for my family,” Sers said.

As recent as the Barstow baseball team’s end of the season banquet on June 13, Sers was talking about his excitement for coaching a young team next season.

Sers replaced Roland Fite as the Barstow baseball coach in December 2007 and had extraordinary results in his lone season as coach. The 2008 season was anything from normal for the Barstow baseball team. The Aztecs won their first league title since — no one knows when.

Sers made quick changes with the Aztecs. The team used to laid back coaches, but Sers entered with an in-your-face approach, senior pitcher Freezy Smalls said. What could have wound up as a disaster ended up clicking and remarkably well.

The team’s play began to emulate their fiery coach, who was not afraid to step out of the dugout and argue calls, as the season went on. The Aztecs clung to a never-die attitude that made the late innings an adventure. As pressure mounted, the team seemed to get better.

“I think they adjusted to him right away,” Barstow Assistant Coach Paul Negrette said. “They meshed; they connected right away.”

The players gelled with Sers, but Sers also gelled with them and Barstow.

Sers, who resides in Victorville, said he enjoyed the time he spent in Barstow, calling everyone in the district “awesome.”

“I’ll remember everything,” Sers said. “Every moment was special”

The concept of family was a central focus to the way Sers coached. He wanted the players to have respect for each and work through personal troubles.

Family was an issue that came up during private meetings, post-game talks and even his first meeting with the team’s parents before the season. 

Sers said he was pleased with results. The players hung out together before and after games. The players families invited the team and Sers to their homes. 

Sers wasn’t looking for new employment and recently signed a contract extension with Barstow. Apple Valley went after him.

After Apple Valley made him an offer, Sers sat down with his wife Amber to weigh the positives and negatives. They discussed everything from time with his family to rising gas prices. Sers realized he couldn’t pass up an opportunity with Apple Valley.

As intriguing as it was to spend another year helping develop returners Aaron Sanchez, Jaccob Muir or Phil Peralta was, Jordan, Alexa and Jillian, Sers’ daughters, won out.

Sers three daughters range in age from 6 to 9. Coaching in Barstow made it more difficult to attend their soccer and softball games or dancing recitals.

“We came to the conclusion that this was a perfect opportunity to be close to home and go to my kids games,” Sers said.

Muir and Smalls said they couldn’t blame their coach for making the decision he did. 

Who could?

Contact the writer:

(760) 256-4124 or matthew_peters@link.freedom.com