I played for coach Helbig 1960 through 1964 at Clackamas High School. He taught me many things about baseball and much about life. Coach left me with two nicknames that have followed me for the last 52 years. Coach Helbig used my given name rarely but refered to me as either "stump" or "sandtrotter". Both of these "handles" are bulls eye accurate descriptions being that I am 5' 6" tall and of Syrian decent.The "sandtrotter" brand began after my freshman season when Coach Helbig introduced me as sandtrotter at the awards assembly. When later asked what the name meant coach Helbig replyed that a sandtrotter was a guy that was so short that when he farted he blew sand all over his shoes!Coach rarely used my given name. He prefered to call me stump....which he did. If and when he would used my name it was my last name, Isaacs. When he did though, he never said Isaacs. He included two more words. He would scream "Isaacs, you idiot".Coach Helbig had a definate impact on who I am and without a doubt ilives of many of the kids he coached at Clackamas. I appreciated him as a coach and respect the man he was. He truly made a difference.Sincerely,Ted IsaacsClass of 64
