Standing behind the mic and describing what I see has taken me to many different places during my career. There have been many that the build up leading up to the game had me pumped up too for the importance that game might carry. A State Championship game, a conference championship and then there are the moments like Wednesday night.
I had heard at the Legion game Tuesday night that Norman Chambliss was retiring as a little league coach with the Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation after 25 years and that Wednesday was the last night for him. Since I had the assignment to tape the Little League Championship right off the bat I knew this was going to be special for me and that meant his team was in the finals.
Back in 1993 and 1994 my son Brooks played for Norman on the Pepsi Braves. At the time living in Fayetteville and I didn't see every game played during those two years but I saw enough that as a little league coach myself for 16 years I knew Brooks was getting all the coaching he needed with Norman.
When ever I came to see games and I saw some of the regular season games and all the 1994 all Star games in which Norman was the head coach after the Braves had gone undefeated in the regular season and the tournament which if I remember was the first time in the history of Rocky Mount rec any time had accomplished that feat. Brooks had introduced me to Norman but knowing all the moaning and groaning done by parents I was introduced to him and that was it.
I saw every game a coach and there are many just like Norman who are there to help the kids not there just because their children are there. Rocky Mount has several who have dedicated their spring, summers and fall to teach our kids how to play ball but there is one more aspect that I saw from Norman. He taught our kids about life.
Since Brooks has moved on with his life Norman ask me about him every time I run into him. The Braves had to beat the A's twice Wednesday to win the championship and after the Braves won the first game to force a championship I sent a text to Brooks to tell him I was about to do play by play in the championship little league game and Norman and the Braves were in it and Norman had announced his retirement after the game. I went on and did the broadcast in which the Braves won.
The City presented Norman with an award for his service to our city and I checked my phone during the ceremony and Brooks had replied to my text. This story today is about one of many coaches in Rocky Mount who pour their heart and soul into their passion of little league baseball. I interviewed Norman surrounded by his team for TV and at the end of the interview I told Norman what Brooks had said. Brooks text says it all. "Norman Chambliss Great Coach, Better Person.
Thanks Norman you have had a great part in my families life much more than you realize. I know there are about 250 more kids that you coached that can say that too.
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Norman Chambliss also coached my son Mason Holt during his time in Little League. Mason was just an average ball player, but he loved the game and Norman always had a kind word to say. He did teach those boys some "lessons about life" and when I saw him about a month or so ago, he asked about Mason and what his plans were after high school. He had seen his success with cross country and track in the newspaper. I was surprised by his mention of that, which told me that Norman still tried to follow the success of his former players. Great man. I know the he will be missed on the ball field.
--Mary Beth Holt
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