GAME ON The Sideline: Coach Westmoreland, Portsmouth

GAME ON The Sideline: Coach Westmoreland, Portsmouth

Q & A with Coach Ron Westmoreland, Portsmouth Varsity Baseball

What is your coaching experience?
I have been coaching for over 30 years at many different levels from T-Ball to College. After playing at Eckerd College in Florida, I had a short stint as the Manager of their JV team. After returning to RI, I played and coached in the Newport Sunset League for 20 years. When my son started playing T Ball, I coached him all the way through High School, and then returned as the Freshman Coach in 2009.

What are you looking forward to for this season?

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I'm excited to be in charge of a program with a rich tradition of good kids and success on the field. Being around a great group of passionate student athletes and coaching in a program with this history is an honor. I have a great relationship with many of the players, and that will make it special.

What's been your greatest success as a coach?

I've had some special moments and experiences. Seeing my son successful in both college recruitment in the game, and then being drafted by the Boston Red Sox was an amazing time in my life. He deserves all of the credit, but being his Coach and watching him grow up in the game has been unbelievable. Taking the Portsmouth Little League team to the 2002 Eastern Regional Final game of the Little League World Series was a great accomplishment for the kids, and 9 of those 12 ended up playing High School baseball.

What's been your biggest failure?

I don't consider any of my Coaching experience a failure. We have lost some games that would have been great to win because of the end result, but the fact that I think the majority of kids I have coached had positive experiences, doesn’t allow room for failure. I wouldn't change a thing, as those losses created learning lessons, which made them better players and people.

Who have been the best players you've coached?

My son, Ryan Westmoreland. It's easy to be biased as a father, but his success both on and off the field is well documented. He IS an incredible person and athlete, and I have never been around a player that had such character, composure, passion and talent...and handled it with the humble maturity and confidence that Ryan has showed his whole life. Other then Ryan, I've been honored to Coach dozens of successful players and people.

How do you motivate your players?

Loving the game, respecting the game and working to get better in the game is the foundation of both play and motivation. Teaching them that being passionate about the game will lead to the proper approach and work ethic to become better players and teammates puts the ball in their court for how they will develop and succeed. I believe that motivation comes from within the individual. If I can point them in the direction of how what drives that, and they in turn believe in it, then they are where they need to be to develop and have a positive experience.