Printer Friendly Version - Gell Giving Back as Guilford Senior Legion Assistant

Michael Gell is in his second season as an assistant coach with the Guilford Senior Legion baseball team. Michael played for the Guilford Indians when they won the Class L state title in 2007 and is currently a Branford resident. Photo courtesy of Michael Gell

Michael Gell knows what it takes to win a state championship on the baseball field and now he’s using what he learned from that experience to help the Guilford Senior Legion team as an assistant coach.

Michael, at Branford resident, played baseball at Guilford High School and capped his tenure by captaining the Indians’ 2007 Class L state championship squad alongside his close friend Michael Yates, who’s now the head coach for the Post 48 Senior Legion squad. When Yates took the helm last season, he needed an assistant coach and so he reached out to Michael, who was happy to jump aboard. The two have worked together for the past two summers and appear to be guiding the team in the right direction as Guilford already has more wins this year than it did for the entire 2015 campaign.

“I go way back with Michael and, when he got the job offer, he knew I was itching to get back into baseball. I felt I had a great knowledge of the game, but the fact that he reached out to me was awesome,” says Michael. “It’s great to also give back to that same baseball community in Guilford. It’s great to see the kids develop from the beginning of the season and it’s a cool thing to see that progression.”

In addition to competing with the Indians, Michael also laced up the cleats for Guilford Legion in his playing days. Michael knows there’s a tight-knit connection between the programs with how both emphasize fundamentals on the field, along with displaying respect for the game.

“The Legion team is a direct spin-off of the high school program. We are close with the high school coaches and vice versa. It’s great to have that communication and be able to rely on each other,” says Michael. “I want them to hustle and respect the game first. I’m also a firm believer in small ball and that you have to play it to win games. It’s also about doing all those little things right out there.”

Coach Yates feels that he and Michael fit together like a glove and adds that Michael has quickly gained the trust of the boys in the dugout.

“Michael has been a lifelong friend and teammate. He has a tremendous knowledge base when it comes to hitting pitching and catching,” says Yates. “This is his second season with us and he’s been a perfect fit. The players respect him and appreciate his guidance.”

Legion baseball can be taxing as teams often play six or seven games a week, including weekend doubleheaders, amidst the heat and humidity. However, Michael enjoys the daily grind, especially with how ballplayers often form lifetime bonds while facing top-tier competition during the summer months.

“It’s great to go around and see all the talented teams and players in the state. It’s a bunch of kids playing baseball and putting work in,” Michael says. “It’s tough with weekend doubleheaders and night games, but it’s also a lot of fun. You make a lot of friends for life on the baseball field, as well.”

Guilford took its licks during Michael’s first season with the team, although Michael feels that only made Post 48 a stronger squad for 2016.

“We have a great group of guys here that are a close-knit unit. Baseball comes down to team chemistry. You need to have everything mesh together in working towards that single goal,” says Michael. “We had a tough year last year, but we came back this season with a chip on our shoulders. The kids have grown up and learned a lot about the game, which is the important part.”