I don't watch a lot of TV - except for baseball of course - but one of the few shows in the past 10 years that I really loved was "The Office."

In one of the later seasons of the show, the hilariously underachieving preppy paper salesman Andy Bernard says the following in one of his "interviews" with the camera:

"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them."

I found that to be a remarkably profound quote, especially for a comedy, and it really stuck with me.

But what does that quote have to do with baseball?

Last week, when I sent out my lesson request email to a list of over 400 people, I asked anybody who wished to be removed from the list to let me know.

Inevitably, some people move out of the area or, more often, their kids stop playing baseball after Little League and they don't need to receive my emails anymore. Usually the unsubscribe request I get reads something like, "Hey Dan, we're not playing baseball anymore but thanks for such a great little league experience. Please take us off the list."

I love getting emails like that.

I could coach until I'm 100 years old and the chances are I'll never have one of my students make it to the big leagues, so at some point baseball ends for everyone and as long as they look back on their experience fondly, then I've done my job.

That said, I got a response from a parent whose son has been out of Little League for many years and will never take another lesson from me who did NOT want to be taken off the list - and his reason was:

"Seeing your emails are such a great reminder of the good times."

Wow!

Just seeing an email about OTHER kids and parents getting to go to the Little League field puts a smile on this Dads face every week. That's how special Little League is.

I give advice to parents all the time about all aspects of their youth baseball experience, but this might be the most important thing I've ever said to you.

Parents: no matter how long your son plays baseball or where his career takes him, it will never be better than Little League...

You are IN the "good old days" right now!

Trust me. Or ask ANY parent whose kids goes on to Pony or High School (not that there's anything wrong with those baseball experiences). They will all say, "Little League was the best!"

And I totally agree.

With so much emphasis in youth sports today being put on the "next level" or "making the high school team" or "preparing for the best club tournament this summer," try really hard to remain present this Little League season.

Savor every trip to the amazing fields we have in this area.

Enjoy every hot dog at the snack shack.

Value the time in the stands with the other parents on your team - or even (gasp!) the parents on other team.

Have as much fun watching your son play as he's having playing.

Marvel at the amazing sense of community that our local Little Leagues provide.

Just take a step back and soak it all in.

Because in a few years (or sooner for some of you), it will all be over.

Win or lose, 4-4 or 0-4, 1st place or last place...

THE GOOD OLD DAYS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW...ENJOY IT!