MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – Business has picked up for personal sports coach Jeff Gaskin.  

It is normally one of Gaskin's part-time jobs, but with kids home from school, and no group activities, he decided to offer his coaching lessons at a discounted rate.

“I think it’s important for parents to let their kids get out of the house a little bit," said Gaskin.  "I stay six feet, a socially safe distance the whole time.”  

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Gaskin is a former semi-pro athlete, normally his number one priority is to help young sluggers like Hunter have fun and develop interest in a sport. 

However, with coronavirus concerns the emphasis on safety and social distancing has changed Gaskin’s typical routine.  

“I have the kids bring their own equipment, so we’re not touching the same equipment," Gaskin explains. 

It may be hard to offer proper technique adjustments to a six-year-old while maintaining social distance, but Gaskin knows this time can be constructive in different ways. 

For kids like Hunter, it's about helping to grow a passion for the game. 

“I grew up with a lot of coaches. Some were bad, and some were really good and changed life in a positive way for my friends and I, and I want to be like that,” explains Gaskin. 

Coach Gaskin knows that now more than ever, with the chance to help kids be active, he can be a ray of light, and an escape from the isolating clouds of COVID-19.