The Minor Leagues

Maybe it's because the Brew Crew is in the process of getting swept by the Chicago Cubs, and I need something to keep my mind off the pain, but there is so much to love about Minor League Baseball.
I just finished writing a lengthy feature for the Daily Herald on Orem Owlz manager Tom Kotchman, who topped the 1,500 win mark in June and will be honored on July 31 by the Owlz.
Kotchman has been managing in the Minor Leagues 30 years. That is hard to comprehend. Since 1990, he has had just one losing season.
Every year I wonder if he's coming back and every year he does. I have hosted some of Kotchman's players in the past and know how much respect his players have for him.
I took batting practice with Casey Child, one of his former players last week. Casey hit .325 with 11 home runs and was an all-star under Kotchman in Boise, Idaho. He struggled the next year and Casey said Kotchman told him, “Where do you want to hit. Just tell me where you're most comfortable and I'll hit you there all year."
Casey was released after his second year, but he to this day has a lot of respect for Kotchman.
Kotchman could have been managing in the Big Leagues or at higher levels in the minor leagues but he has stayed at the Rookie level so he could see his family more. He gets it.
There are so many interesting stories in minor league baseball. I would love to cover an independent minor league baseball team. When a player does well, fans pass the hat and put money in it to reward the player for a good night.
How cool is that?
I am currently collecting stories to include in a book that will have a minor league baseball storyline. To me, players in the minor leagues are much more interesting than those in the Major Leagues or the NBA.
Minor League players are a lot like high school players. The game still matters to them. The passion for the game is still alive and that's refreshing to me.