After more than three decades, Bob Sauders of Landisville has announced that this season will be his last time serving as the coach of the Mountville Indians youth baseball team. Players, parents and members of the local baseball community are taking a moment to thank Sauders for his unwavering dedication to the program as he closes the chapter of a long career of teaching young athletes on the sandlot.

"Sometimes you just get the sense that it's the right time," Sauders said. "You don't want to hang on too long. I'm sure I'll miss it when I get out, but you want to stop while you're still enjoying it." Although Sauders has made the decision to retire, he will continue to coach the Indians this summer as they compete in the playoffs to pursue one more championship with their fearless leader.

Last fall, Sauders made the decision to retire, having coached the Mountville Indians since 1988. Although he had always been fond of baseball and gained some experience coaching in the instructional baseball program beforehand, Sauders said he never planned to become a coach for the Indians. Sauders stepped up to the plate when his son, Rob, became old enough to join the team, which was looking for someone to put at the helm. "I guess I wasn't paying attention and they picked me," Sauders joked. "I didn't realize how much I would enjoy the coaching aspect of it."

Despite coaching for multiple decades, Sauders said he's still learning as he wraps up his final season with the Indians. Sauders' coaching method focuses heavily on the strategy of baseball, and his practices have often incorporated simulations of different scenarios players could find themselves in out on the diamond. "I really want to teach players the game of baseball, not just hitting, throwing and catching," said Sauders. "I try to push them a bit in that regard and teach them to expect the unexpected."

Sauders credited the duration of his career to the abundant support of parents, players and other members of the youth baseball program in Mountville, as well as the encouragement from his wife, Deb. "I've been very fortunate. You couldn't coach this long without that kind of support," Sauders said.