A Coach for All-Time

Coach Bill

When you hear things like, "He's the nicest guy you could ever meet," it's no wonder all parents want Coach Bill to be their son's or daughter's coach.
Coach Bill Bruneel has had a lifetime passion for baseball, and especially youth baseball. A farming accident at age 5 resulted in a severely injured right leg which kept him from doing some things, however, he was able to overcome that for the game he loved. Growing up in Idaho, he played first base/pitcher for Babe Ruth, high school, and American Legion baseball. In addition, he followed his younger brother’s sport activities, where at a baseball game(!) he met his wife of 53 years, Kimberly. Bill coached his first group of 12-year-olds in 1973 at Lewiston, Idaho, before there were any Bruneel kids of his own to train. As his sons, Benji and Brett (who are now 45 and 40 respectively), began to play ball. Bill got more involved with Little League. When Brett moved on from Majors, Bill remained coaching at that level and has now been doing so for over 30 years, specifically at Sunrise Little League (now Delta-Sunrise). During these years Bill has not only taught baseball fundamentals, but also learned many things himself. One being that a player’s attitude and sportsmanship are as important to the team as their athletic skills. Another lesson he found out early on is, in an elimination tournament, you never “save” your ace pitcher for the next game!
As a forever New York Yankees fan, Bill continues to coach the Major Yankees at Delta Sunrise. When Little League International added an 11-year-old All-Star category in 2004, he started coaching that group and has done so every year since, winning several championship banners along the way. He is known by many as “Coach Bill” and often has grown men walk up to greet him, and since they are older and much bigger, doesn’t always recognize them. He does realize that at age 75 he is now coaching some second-generation ball players. Having just retired from a 57-year banking career, Bill is now able to spend more time doing ball field maintenance and more importantly, enjoying the game of baseball with young athletes.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Coach Bill.
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Enjoy an article regarding Bill's recent retirement. Lodinews.com