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Meet Your Neighbor: David Alleman
By Callie Thomas
In the movie Field of Dreams, legendary actor James Earl Jones reminded us in his signature booming voice that, “The one constant through all the years… has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.” Americans have an ongoing love affair with baseball which has persevered throughout the decades as evidenced in the faces and hearts of children as they receive their first mitt or step up to bat for the first time. The love of the game has also been a constant for resident David Alleman since he was a boy. This busy attorney concentrates on his corporate clients during the day, handling real estate and commercial transactions at Kolesar & Leatham, but still finds time to engage in his passion for the game by coaching in Summerlin South Little League. He currently serves on its Board of Directors as “Umpire in Chief,” but he especially enjoys being called “coach” by the kids in the league.
It’s a particularly rewarding undertaking for Alleman, as all three of his boys play baseball in Summerlin South Little League, and he personally coaches two of his sons’ teams. However, he finds it equally as gratifying to give other children the same rewarding experiences. The father of four (he and his wife Skye also have a two year old daughter) proudly teaches life lessons through the game that he hopes kids will take with them into adulthood. Alleman gives us his take on making a difference by being a mentor and why a day at the ball park really is “all that” and a box of Cracker Jack.
How important is it for you to be a role model to your kids and those in the community?
“I remember great mentors I had growing up, not only in sports but also in organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and my local church, and recognize the even greater importance for youth today to have people who will take an interest in their lives and development.”
Was your father influential in getting you involved in sports as a kid?
“Growing up, I played baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball. As a young boy, I actually remember being nervous about playing kid pitch baseball. Fortunately, my very patient father encouraged me and helped me stay involved. As a result, I ended up playing and enjoying the game through high school and have several fond memories of being on the field with friends with whom I remain close to this day.”
So you wanted to share that experience with other kids in the community?
“It’s really rewarding to help young children learn to play America’s pastime. There’s always something fun and exciting about putting on a clean uniform and taking a clean field, which I remember doing often.”
It appears you’ve made an impact on your players as well as your own kids.
“I originally got involved with Summerlin South Little League so that I could spend time with my boys and enable them to have the same experiences I had, but the reward of influencing several kids’ lives has made it completely worth it.”
Through the game, the kids also learn a bit more about life situations?
“Most certainly. Sports truly are a microcosm of real life. There are so many facets of the game, including interacting with teammates and coaches, that will prepare kids for their lives after baseball. I’ve helped kids work through their own fear of stepping into the batter’s box. I have also helped kids deal with winning and losing seasons, each presenting different challenges. Regardless of the situation, baseball, like most team sports for youth, helps children to learn life lessons about hard work, achieving goals, overcoming fears, handling success and failure, sportsmanship and leadership in a fun, competitive environment.”
What’s it like to know that some of your past players still follow the league?
“It’s a great feeling when they approach me at the fields and still call me coach.”
