Joey Hale often labels the Little League Baseball World Series, “Christmas on Steroids.” There are fewer places the Goodlettsville, Tennessee, manager would rather be than the Lamade Stadium dugout, coaching his players.

Still, as much as Hale enjoys coaching at the Series, he remains content whatever field he is on, whatever baseball work he is doing. The Series is the payoff for a dedicated coach who has devoted much of his adult life to the Goodlettsville Little League.

But all the work that goes into delivering such a moment is what Hale enjoys even more. The scouting, the traveling, the analyzing, the instructing … bring it all on. What some coaches might find grinding, Hale finds intoxicating.

“I love it all. The game is so great and there’s always something to work on,” Hale said. “I live and breathe it. It never gets old. I do it because I love it.”

Hale is coaching at the Series for the second time after leading Goodlettsville to the 2012 U.S. championship. South Williamsport is the latest stop on a coaching journey that has no end in sight. He has reached the Little League summit again, but Hale remains excited every time a new baseball season arrives.

Hale’s father, Jerry, is a Tennessee coaching legend and the coaching bug infected his son early on. Jerry led his teams to four Dixie Youth World Series championships in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Joey was there at every tournament, enjoying the ride and learning the trade. And what an apprentice Jerry’s son became.

After dominating Dixie Youth for years, Goodlettsville joined Little League in 2011 and was playing for a world championship a year later. Hale was instrumental to the transition and the immediate success. He pushed all the right buttons in 2012 as Goodlettsville won an epic U.S. final against California and entered the world final undefeated that summer.

Instead of riding off into the sunset, Hale went back to work. This year his regular season team went undefeated and, per league policy, that earned him the all-star managing job again. All the extra time Hale devotes to preparing his team paid huge dividends as Goodlettsville ended South Nashville’s three-year District 7 championship run, one that included Series appearances in 2013 and ’14. Goodlettsville then smoothly navigated a daunting Southeast field and again entered the Series undefeated.

Like father, like son. A Hale coach again has his team competing for a prestigious championship.

“My dad had an unbelievable drive to be best coach he could be. His passion was instilled in me. It’s in my blood,” Hale said. “I love every kid on that team, love seeing them succeed, and I can’t wait to coach the next group of guys. I’m so thankful I inherited that trait from him and so glad because it makes my life such a pleasure.”

Hale coached the 11-year-old all-stars to state championships the last two seasons, so he is familiar leading this group. Nearly every game he is just as familiar with the opponent. Hale is a relentless scouter, going wherever need be to learn more about potential opponents.

The power of that scouting has been evident throughout the summer. Hale is an excellent instructor but he also has his team ready for just about anything a team can throw or hit its way. Goodlettsville knows it has an advantage having Hale as its coach.

“The guy is totally dedicated to the kids. He will drive to South Carolina, Georgia, wherever, and scout the teams a couple weeks before we play them,” said Dave McWilliams, whose son Zach plays third base and pitches. “He knows everything about every team we play and that is a huge help.”

“No matter who is on the team, they are always going to compete hard,” said Greg Dillard, father of second baseman Easton Dillard. “I’ve coached a lot of teams and have never seen a team as prepared for what this team just went through as this team was.”

As driven as Hale is to help his players flourish, he also strikes the right balance at the youth level. A big key to Goodlettsville’s success is it being a relaxed group. Hale wants his teams to win, but he makes it fun. If the kids are not feeling the same enjoyment, Hale believes he is not doing his job.

“He is a great guy that really cares about the kids,” said Zach McWilliams’ older brother, Sam, who is pitching in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system. “I’m glad Zach is on his team.”

McWilliams basically speaks for all those who have had children play for Hale. A man who learned all he knows about coaching from his father sure is carrying that family tradition on in impressive fashion.

“Just like in 2012, we’re telling the kids if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be and if it’s not, we’re still having a great time,” Hale said. “The hard part is getting there. There’s no other tournament to advance to so we tell the kids to enjoy it. Not many kids get to experience it and they’re blessed to be able to do so. They are one of the select few to do it so enjoy it and savor every moment.”

Hale sure is.