Bob Coons' demeanor on the baseball diamond has changed since he was a college player nearly 30 years ago.
"Now I go out of my way, if someone gets a good hit off of me, to tell them, "Good hit," the 51-year-old said. "It's a different perspective that I wish I had when I was younger."
The 51-year-old is a pitcher in the St. Louis Baseball Forever League's 45-years-and-older league. His two-year stats as a pitcher are 21-2.
"I kind of got back into it reluctantly," he said. "I didn't know if I stepped on the mound if I could still throw the breaking ball. I found out quickly that my skills hadn't diminished."
Two of Coons' brothers also play in the league, and another has played in the past.
The league is another avenue that has allowed Coons to experience every aspect of America's favorite pasttime.
He was a pitcher in high school, played two years at East Central Community College and two years at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University). He then played three years with the Capahas amateur baseball team in Cape Girardeau.
He has coached high school baseball and currently gives private instruction at Got Skillz in Jefferson City. He also recently became a baseball umpire.
"Coaching to umpiring is a whole lot more different than going from a coach to a player," Coons said. "I actually found that because of all the coaching I've done, I'm in better baseball shape now."
Coons' other passion is teaching, which he's been doing for 29 years. He's currently a physical education instructor at Jefferson City High School.
"It's surreal to think I could retire after this year," he said. "But, I enjoy my day so much, it's something I've thought about, but can't think of a reason not be at school with students."
He said he spends a majority of the day teaching individual sports, such as bowling, skating pickle ball and badminton.
"It provides them (students) experience with something they can grasp to help them with lifetime fitness," Coons said.
Coons' entire family is involved with education or coaching.
His wife, Lisa, is a school district facilitator at Simonsen; his son, Jordan, is an assistant baseball coach at the University of Central Missouri; and his daughter, Lauren, is studying education at the University of Arkansas.
"I'm very proud of the fact that both children went into coaching and/or education," Coons said. "Both were on district championship teams here at Jefferson City High School."
Coons sees the power in athletics as a teaching tool.
"So many lessons can be taught in a competitive environment that can't be taught in a classroom," he said. "It's neat to see guys who understand they have to have a balance between the two, though.
"I always stress they must be student athletes, with a heavy emphasis on student."