Coach's Corner: Long Northbrook baseball journey continues

The question begs. What came first? Was it Mark Gerstein and Scott Weiner before Northbrook Baseball, or was it Northbrook Baseball before Gerstein and Weiner?

We may have to consult the chicken and the egg on that one.

Actually, the answer is Northbrook Baseball, an organization which has been going for some 50-plus years now, but to those of recent vintage, who have played or been part of the league, it may actually seem the two longtime baseball enthusiasts came first. Between them, they have over 54 years of dedicated service to the organization.

It wasn't necessarily planned that way. They both started coaching their own kids like so many others do. "Like every other dad," says Weiner, "I just wanted to coach my kid." An innocent enough start, but little did he know at that time that 24 years later he would still be involved and on the program's board.

Gerstein's stay is even longer. He started coaching his son in tee ball, over 30 years ago. A remarkable run. "I enjoyed the coaching back then and being part of the organization, so much so that I wanted get more involved. I decided to join the board, and it kind of went from there."

Yes it did, to put it mildly. After just a few years on the board, his fellow cohorts were so impressed they named him commissioner of the whole program. Who would of thunk it then, but some 25 years later Gerstein is still "The Commish?" The number one position.

An amazing achievement considering most leagues and organizations I have been involved with, the president of the organization usually lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 years max, based not so much on the tremendous time commitment, but even more so the psychological abuse that the man in charge can take from parents, coaches, fellow board members, etc.

But Gerstein somehow survived, all mental faculties still apparently intact. In fact, after talking to the 67-year-old longtime Northbrook resident, his enthusiasm and passion has not waned in the least. His love of the game, love of the program and, most importantly, love of working with kids oozing from the telephone as we spoke.

"I still enjoy it," said Mark. "I love being around the kids and the game of baseball. The program is in good shape right now. Our numbers are solid, and I am really proud that, even through the pandemic, we were able to salvage some baseball for this summer. We have travel teams going and we are doing the younger kids' Northbrook Action Baseball program this fall as well."

Weiner and Gerstein are co-owners of Northbrook Action Baseball (4 to 8-year-olds), a separately owned and run company, but one that works hand in hand with and serves as a feeder program to the regular Northbrook Baseball League.

"We are really proud of Northbrook Action Baseball," says Weiner. "We stress having fun and teaching fundamentals. We also get a lot of our coaches from this league as we see them develop along with the kids."

Weiner and Gerstein are like two peas in a baseball pod, but they did not know each other until Northbrook Baseball brought them together.

"It's been great working with Mark," says Scott. "We think alike and have the same philosophy on the game."

That "philosophy" is based on having a strong house league and making sure the kids enjoy the game and are learning to play it the right way. All the kids participate in house league play, and then when that season is over, and only then, does the travel program start. A bit different from many other communities who have stressed their travel teams and elite programs.

"We really emphasize the value of house league and competing with and against your friends in the community," says Weiner. "We think that is a valuable part of the program. We want our travel teams to be competitive, of course, but winning and building powerhouse travel teams is not our first priority."

Both of them come from baseball backgrounds, but interestingly the two had different styles back in their playing days.

Gerstein played for Mather High School - the mighty Rangers - playing both center field and catcher. He made his name and earned playing time by being a scrappy, feisty do anything type player who would dive, take extra bases, bunt - whatever it took to find a way to succeed.

Weiner was cut from a different playing cloth. He starred for New Trier West High School at third base and was a gifted, natural pure hitter, driving balls into outfield gaps with easy regularity. The line drive seemed almost built into his bat. But Weiner looked at bunting as almost a personal insult and stealing bases as a potential waste of energy and last resort only.

Weiner went on to play at Indiana University, where after sitting his freshman year, shocked the world (OK, maybe just Big Ten Baseball) by winning the Big Ten batting championship as a young sophomore.

Two different playing styles, two different approaches to the game, but when it comes to coaching and helping to run the Northbrook Baseball program, they couldn't be more aligned.

The Northbrook community is for sure lucky to have these two dedicated men giving so much of their time over so many years.

I asked Gerstein how many more years he will continue on, he laughed and said, "Maybe a couple of years left."

Maybe, I thought as we hung up. Maybe. But with their still fresh enthusiasm and longtime love of the organization, I'm betting for both it just might just be a little bit longer.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and just an all-around local sports fan. Any topics you'd like to see him tackle? Email glenbrooknews@dailyherald.com and include "Coach's Corner" in the subject line.