Terry Taylor knows some people wonder why he does it at all.

Without children of his own, or a pedigree in the game dating back to professional experience, coaching Little League for more than a decade may seem an odd pursuit.

But for Taylor, it has become part of his identity.

“Seeing a kid smile when he gets his first hit,” he said. “That is right up there with anything you can think of.”

The longtime Bellevue East coach made another indelible memory recently when he won his 500th game, a milestone for any coach and another accolade to go with his two city tournament titles at the 2010 10-year-old state championship, the only for any of the three Bellevue leagues.

Bellevue East President Ryan Stier said it would be difficult to find someone more deserving.

“It’s one of those things that every league needs,” Stier said. “Our league would not be as successful as it is without him.”

Taylor got his start on the diamond in 2003, when his nephew was only six-years-old and his brother-in-law needed some help with his coach pitch team. In the years since, he has become a staple around Bellevue East baseball, serving several board positions (he is currently league Vice President), coaching and overseeing the renovation of Bellevue East’s home park in Federal Field.

In 2006, with the outfield overgrown by blackberries from neighboring homes and the infield sunk-in to the point of perpetual flooding, the league made the choice to go ahead with major improvements that included new dugouts closer to home plate (Taylor said the old ones required a 200 foot jaunt for an at-bat), a resurfaced diamond and a new outfield fence.

While the wins and tournament titles are certainly some of Taylor’s fondest memories, nothing has been as involved as his work on Federal, which also included refurbishing a rat-infested, condemned facility that is now used for storage.

“I’m the Forest Gump of the league,” he said in reference to the Tom Hanks’ character who takes to manicuring his hometown field in his twilight years. “It’s relaxing, I love cutting the grass.”

But Taylor is far more than the league landscaper.

Stier said while Taylor is rightly known for his work on Federal Field, it is impossible to measure his contribution to the league and community.

“He loves kids and working with and developing players,” Stier said. “He puts himself second and the kids and league first.”

Stier said he played in Bellevue East during his own youth and remembers the original Federal Field, which doesn’t come close to the gem his son plays on today.

“His vision was to make it one of the most beautiful fields in the Bellevue area,” Stier said of Taylor. “He put his blood, sweat and tears into that field to make it what it is today.”

Of all his triumphs on the field he helped create, Taylor said none can compare to the city tournament title he won at the Coast level this season, the second of his career. While the team was far from the most talented group he has worked with, Taylor said the chance to capture the city’s ultimate Little League prize on a field with such a history was a unique moment.

“That was cool because it was on our home field,” Taylor said. “I’ve had three dogs here with me every day. This is my second home.”

As for when he plans to call it quits, Taylor offered a common refrain from longtime coaches.

“I told everyone next year was my last,” he said. “But there is a group of 10-year-olds who are just great to work with. So two more years.”