To the editor:

Lawrence is losing a good citizen. Ted Martinez came to Lawrence seven years ago, and his love of baseball and an abiding interest in youth development led him to engage many Lawrence youths in positive ways, particularly through coaching. A lot of people engage youths as coaches, but Ted is an exceptional coach.

Each season he was able to lead a group of boys and girls with varied skills and teach them to play as a team, but he never made coaching or the game about winning. Instead, he instilled skills needed to play together. It led to winning seasons, and the kids truly learned to play and respect the game.

He is a genuine mentor who guides youths to make good decisions and to engage each other respectfully. His positive approach spilled over into his relationships with adults, too.

Ted will soon take a job in another state working in the juvenile justice system there. We wish Ted, his wife, Brenda, and daughter, Kate, the best in their new adventure. It is a loss for Lawrence youths and our community, but we also know that Ted has influenced many of us still here.

So, from now on, whenever we see a coach make every play a teaching moment, rather than berate players for mistakes; or see a coach focus on the boys rather than winning; or mentor them, rather then see them as vehicles for their own personal glory, we know that Ted is still here.

The Jerry Schultz family and Ken Roper,

Lawrence