For the past 12 years, Straughn White Sox coach Joe Peeples has strived to be a good role model, to teach players right from wrong and playing with good sportsmanship.

Peeples, who is the head coach of the 13-to-15-year-old White Sox team, started coaching when his sons, Hank and Justin, started playing ball.

In fact, being able to coach baseball is a good break from his real job — operating a residential treatment center in New Brockton, where he’s been for 20 years.

Peeples said what makes coaching fun is watching the kids grow up to become better people.

“I just love seeing the kids being successful and overcoming obstacles that get in the way, and them having fun and learning good sportsmanship,” he said.

Every year, Peeples has coached a Straughn baseball team.

What he finds most memorable about his job is getting the opportunity to travel with the players who get to play at other sites, especially in the All-Star season, where he usually is a coach.

When asked why he loves coaching, Peeples said it’s all about the impact one can make on the players.

“I just love sports,” he said. “I like the competition and seeing the kids have fun. A lot of the kids out there on street doing what they want. This is a positive environment in which they can get involved with.

“Mainly, I try to be a role model to them,” he said.

Each year, Peeples said he tries to be a better coach than the year before, noting that he applies the same philosophy day to day.

“It’s going to be better than the previous day,” he said. “It’s a motto I live by.”

So far this season, the White Sox have won their first two games and lost three straight before Saturday’s game at Andalusia High School.

Peeples is married to Brandy, and the couple have five children.