As a dad, he's hitting it out of the park!

Roger Allen Baseball board member and coach Bill Ruff with, from left, son Jacob and twin daughters, Emily and Andrea. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - They may not agree on who's the best baseball player in the family, but they do agree on two things.
They've got the best dad for a coach and the best coach for a dad.
Welcome to Bill Ruff's Father's Day weekend tradition.
A Roger Allen Baseball board member and eight-year coach with the organization, Ruff's passion for baseball and family is plainly seen as he sits and kids with his son and twin daughters while doing the box score for an 8-and-under team during Saturday's Kittredge Memorial Tournament at Roger Allen Park off Chestnut Hill Road.

10-and-under coach Bill Ruff, kneeling, gathers his team for a strategy session after the first inning of Saturday's Kittredge Memorial Tournament game at Roger Allen Park in Rochester.

Ruff has been coaching ever since his oldest son, Jacob, 12, turned four and could play T-ball.
Twins Emily and Andrea, 10, followed suit, and both have an intense passion for the game.
"Oh, they're both aggressive players on the field," Ruff says with pride. "But the best thing I like about coaching is watching the kids improve and seeing the smiles on their faces. They improve every year."
When the 8-and-under game is over, Ruff switches gears and gathers his team on a field not far from the snack bar where his wife, Christine, is busy cooking up hot dogs, burgers and french fries for hungry players and fans.
After the first inning that ends with no score, he gathers his players - including his two daughters - by the dugout and exhorts the team to give it their best and keep "the chatter" going.
"I like all aspects of the game, " he said. "It's like a big chess game, getting everyone in the right position."
Asked if he loves the Father's Day tradition of the Kittredge Memorial Tournament he smiles.
"Sure I love it, it's a labor of love," adding drolly. "But sometime I guess I wouldn't mind maybe doing something a little different."