57660158
It’s not often a volunteer baseball coach is the correct answer to a school assignment. But when a 5-year-old was asked “who is your hero and why?,” one student responded “ Louis DiRenzo because he taught me how to play baseball.”
When the word got back to DiRenzo, a youth baseball coach at Delaware Valley Youth Athletic Association, 18th and Johnston streets, he recalled having trouble holding back the tears.
But his athletes are not the only ones taking notice. A couple months ago, assistant coach Ed Bonett Jr., told the 47-year-old Marconi resident “Lou, I hope you don’t mind, but I nominated you as a Difference Maker.”
“I was kind of surprised that Ed nominated me,” DiRenzo, a resident of the 1800 block of West Moyamensing Avenue, said.
In his eight years with the youth organization, DiRenzo has touched the lives of young, inspiring baseball players including the two sons Louis, 11, and Nicholas, 7, that he shares with his wife of 15 years, April. Coaching the younger age groups, DiRenzo focuses on teaching the game of baseball.
“I always had the thought in my mind that if I could teach [the children] one thing and they take it to the next level, then I did my job,” DiRenzo, who balances his volunteer work with a full-time position as the Philadelphia Register of Wills Office’s chief probate officer.
DiRenzo also dedicates extra innings to the DVYAA team effort by helping with cleanup and fundraising efforts. His passion for helping kids dates back to his childhood days when he played sports at Capitolo Playground, Ninth and Federal streets.
“When I had my boys, I wanted to teach kids and give back like other coaches did for me growing up,” the native of Eighth and Morris streets said.
Some of the words he shares with his young players come from a member of the Philadelphia Phillies 1980 World Series team. DiRenzo was dinning with his son Lou at Stogie Joe’s Tavern, 1801 E. Passyunk Ave., when they noticed Greg Luzinski also enjoying a meal. After the slugger finished eating, the younger Louis approached him for an autograph and some baseball advice. When his son returned to the table, DiRenzo was of course curious about the conversation.
“‘He told me to play hard or stay home,’” DiRenzo recalled of his son’s words.
When they are in the DVYAA dugouts together, the coach often turns to his son who tells his teammates “always play hard.”
Those are words these youngsters can take with them for the rest of their lives as players and possibly future coaches.
Contact Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com.
More 2011 Difference Makers:
Madeline Brinkman Bonney DosSantos Andrew Emma Darren Fava Sara Feinstein
Greg Frangipani Gary Harkins Kelly Hile Mitch Little Robert Malara
Jessica Mammarella Chris Menna Anton Moore John Murawski Cassie Plummer
Sue Posternock Michelle Rumbaugh Letty Santarelli Christy Santoro
Marianne Squillaciotti Walter Stewart Jennifer Swain Angelica-Victoriano Joe Whelan
57660163
