By Eddie Michels

Canadian Baseball Network

Bradenton, Fl. — After a three-hour bus trip from Miami to Bradenton, 2014 Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Wallach and his son, Chad, got ready for a spring training game of baseball.

“It’s pretty special to spend some time watching him play, [to] be that close to him and be a little bit of a part of his career,” said the senior Wallach, “It’s been great.”

When asked what it was like coaching his son now compared to when Chad was a kid, the elder Wallach said it’s “a little different” but the toughest part is watching his son play.

“You want him to do well so you have to be a little careful, but I love being a part of what’s going on,” said the Montreal Expos legend.

Of course, Marlins manager Don Mattingly might have something to say, as the senior Wallach is his bench coach and has been for the past five seasons.

“It’s good,” said Mattingly of the father/son on the team, “With Wally, he was my bench coach out in LA and my third base coach and we had another one of his sons in camp who is also a catcher. I think it’s tough on him (Tim) because anytime your kids are on the field you are part dad, part coach and you have to stay out of it at that point. You always feel for him because I watched my own son play, it’s hard to watch your kid at this level.”