POULSBO -
You could call Little League coach Frank Enfinger a one-man show.
Equipped with outlandish signals at third base, Enfinger, known as "Coach Frank," entertains not only his players but everyone in the stands at the North Kitsap fields in Poulsbo, Wash.
Sometimes, he chops the air with his rendition of "Karate Kid." Other times, he beats his chest and flails his arms in the air as he does "The Gorilla." A few of his favorites include the "Stinky Shower Scene," the "Bull Rider" and "Guitar Hero."
"I had to find a way to make (the players) relax and have some fun," said Enfinger.
And while many of his signs remain a secret between him and his players, some have a universal meaning, like the "Cat Plant" or the "Ballerina Dance."
"That's just reminding them to plant their feet or to tell them they're off-balance in the batters box," Enfinger said. "I've got the defensive team watching me do my signs, trying to figure out what my steal sign is, and half the time I don't know what it is."
Enfinger's antics are gaining attention quickly, since he coaches two teams a baseball team (Sound Reprographics) in the Babe Ruth league and a softball team (Nate Dower Construction).
As for why he continues to coach after 11 years?
"They get to grow out on these ball fields into the next leaders of our society," Enfinger said. "I get pleasure out of it because I get to encourage and foster some of that leadership."
And his mission is simple: making sure the players have fun.
"To have the fans out there cheering their kids on, that's what it's all about. For them to accept that they are kids, and they're playing a game."
Coach Frank's teams are also known to wear unconventional socks. One baseball team wore pink socks throughout the season, and his current softball team wears socks with black flames.
Equipped with outlandish signals at third base, Enfinger, known as "Coach Frank," entertains not only his players but everyone in the stands at the North Kitsap fields in Poulsbo, Wash.
Sometimes, he chops the air with his rendition of "Karate Kid." Other times, he beats his chest and flails his arms in the air as he does "The Gorilla." A few of his favorites include the "Stinky Shower Scene," the "Bull Rider" and "Guitar Hero."
"I had to find a way to make (the players) relax and have some fun," said Enfinger.
And while many of his signs remain a secret between him and his players, some have a universal meaning, like the "Cat Plant" or the "Ballerina Dance."
"That's just reminding them to plant their feet or to tell them they're off-balance in the batters box," Enfinger said. "I've got the defensive team watching me do my signs, trying to figure out what my steal sign is, and half the time I don't know what it is."
Enfinger's antics are gaining attention quickly, since he coaches two teams a baseball team (Sound Reprographics) in the Babe Ruth league and a softball team (Nate Dower Construction).
As for why he continues to coach after 11 years?
"They get to grow out on these ball fields into the next leaders of our society," Enfinger said. "I get pleasure out of it because I get to encourage and foster some of that leadership."
And his mission is simple: making sure the players have fun.
"To have the fans out there cheering their kids on, that's what it's all about. For them to accept that they are kids, and they're playing a game."
Coach Frank's teams are also known to wear unconventional socks. One baseball team wore pink socks throughout the season, and his current softball team wears socks with black flames.
