Obviously coaches in sports are teachers for their protegees, but on Saturday in Franklin Township it was teaching by example.

In a benefit softball game between Franklin Township youth coaches and players from high school and Little League teams, the coaches won by a whopping 18-7 margin.

Kyle Spotts, who coaches Little League and is the director of facilities and athletics at Lehighton Area High School, played shortstop and owned the entire infield, executing skillful play after play. He also smashed four home runs including a grand slam to lead his team to the win.

It wouldn’t be insulting to say coach Brent Atwood is past his prime, but he still was intimidating with his accurate throws to first and his deep outfield hits.

The nine-inning game was part of a day-long activities schedule to raise money to make improvements at the various athletic facilities in Franklin Township. Also held was a batting contest and a basket raffle.

Five members of the Lehighton High School baseball team joined about a half dozen Little Leaguers to make up the underclass team in the game held on the Christman softball field.

One of the parents, Sara Keiser, said she was happy to see the players and coaches come together for such an event.

She said before COVID, there was an annual old-timers game usually involving fire department members in which her husband had played.

In Saturday’s game, members of the adult team were Brent Atwood, Mike Birnbaum, Travis Hunsicker, Eric Kuhns, Matt Kunkle, Ben Moyer, Kyle Spotts and Chris Steigerwalt.

The youth team included Aidan Albert, Carter Birnbaum, Austin Greene, Braylon Hunsicker, Dawson Keiser, Konner Nalesnik, Dominic Lawrence and Talan Sensinger.