Dave Shively’s first love was baseball, but that didn’t stop him from learning soccer.

Dave Shively’s first love was baseball, but that didn’t stop him from learning soccer. Shively has coached in the Austintown Junior Soccer League for seven years and coaches Occasional Chocolates. His son Nathan, 12, is on the team.

Q: Did you play soccer when you were younger?

A: No, because there was no soccer program when I as in school. I grew up playing baseball all my life. When I was a senior in high school is actually when [soccer] was brought to Boardman. I did play intramural soccer in college though when I was like 19 or 20.

Q: What position did you play in baseball and intramural soccer?

A: I was primarily a middle-infielder. In soccer I played all over, but mainly as a mid-fielder.

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Q: How did you get into coaching soccer?

A: Well, I started off just sitting on the sidelines watching my daughter play. I learned to appreciate the game. But I’m the type of guy who can’t sit still, so whenever they needed somebody to help out or volunteer I made myself available.

Q: What is the most beneficial thing about coaching in the Austintown Junior Soccer League?

A: Well, at this level it’s still a recreational league. You have some kids here who have played for seven years, and you have other kids who have played for seven months. Some kids are on traveling teams, but there are all kinds of skill sets. I like seeing a group of kids about midway through the season starting to play together as a team. They’re passing the ball to each other and having fun.

Q: What is your best memory as a player?

A: Well, that would have to be baseball. My best personal moment would be when I hit an inside-the-park home run when I was 14. And it was a legitimate inside-the-park home run, too. It wasn’t one of those ones where it gets by the shortstop. Mine went all the way into the gap. I was more of a glove and run guy, I never had a big stick. I would have to say that was my favorite moment.

Q: What is your best memory as a coach?

A: When our [AJSL] team won the Falcon Cup in 2005. That was a very satisfying season.

Q: What can kids learn from this type of recreational soccer?

A: Well, the rule of the league is that everyone on your team has to play at least one half, and I really try to enforce that. What I try to develop is a sense in these kids that as a teammate you are counted on. I stress fundamentals and a team attitude.

Q: Do you watch professional soccer?

A: No, but my son does. I enjoy watching [soccer in] the Olympics and the World Cup. I like seeing them play for their countries.

Q: What do you think of David Beckham playing here in the United States?

A: I’m really indifferent with it.

Q: Since you don’t watch soccer, what is your favorite sport to watch?

A: Baseball. Baseball was my first love. I love to ‘watch it on the radio’. I don’t have to sit down and watch it for hours, I can listen to it as I cut the grass or do something.

Q:Who was your favorite athlete growing up?

A: Roberto Clemente. I remember going to my first game and seeing him. He seemed larger than life. People will always tell you that they remember what they were doing on 9-11. Well, I remember the day that Clemente died. I was 9 years old, and that was my first experience with death.

XInterview by Jon Moffett, The Vindicator