Too often, the things that are newsworthy about youth sports are negative. Without a doubt, there are too many examples (even 1 is more than we need) of parents and coaches that put too much pressure on children and adopt expectations for them that are beyond their abilities. Certainly, the dugouts and bleachers are littered with fathers (and mothers) that are attempting to live vicariously through the children they are suiting up and sending into the field.
In spite of the negative things that exist in youth sports, there are places where some balance exists between only playing for fun and playing to win at all costs. My son is playing t-ball this year. I don’t expect that I’ll ever see him on a Major League roster but that is not the point. What matters is that…
1. He is on a team and learning the aspects of what that means.
2. He is participating in his community and making connections with people that he might not otherwise meet.
3. He is being active and playing a game that he likes.
4. He is gaining confidence in skills he has had previously and learning new skills to add to his abilities.
5. He likes the uniform!
6. He is having fun playing and we (his father, sister, and I) are having fun watching and cheering for him.
7. He is seeing adult men act in positive and responsible manners toward children.
8. He is learning that he can contribute to the success of the team without hitting a home run.
9. He thinks that the dirtiness of his uniform is an indication of how he played. It is CERTAINLY an indication of how much fun he had!
10. He sees that getting a game ball is something to strive for AND to be proud of!
He actually received a game ball early in the season and he still has it right by his bed to look at each day. Tell me that is not a very good thing!
