posted on August 31, 2001 01:08:11 PM new
Competitive athletics can help keep children happy and out of trouble--but it takes over some families' lives
BY ANDREW FERGUSON
Kelly Donnelly is bright and pretty and lives in Cranford, N.J. She is 13 years old, and she plays soccer. Boy, does she play soccer! Her sister Katie is 15. She plays soccer too. And their dad Pat--well, Pat drives. He drives one girl or the other to soccer practice most every day, and to Virginia for the occasional soccer tournament, and even to Canada once in a while, for more soccer. Last week he drove the girls home from soccer camp in Pennsylvania. Not long ago, Pat logged 300 miles in his green 1994 Dodge Caravan so that Kelly could play in three games on Saturday. Katie had two games that day.
posted on August 31, 2001 01:30:04 PM new
The soccer games have become so competitive around here that parents and teams have been banned from some games. It's hard to find coaches willing to put up with the parents' BS. The Post recently ran an article about one girls' team that was banned from their league.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46923-2001Aug22.html
posted on September 1, 2001 08:59:25 AM new
What timing for this thread!
I received a phone call last night.
My 7 YO son has been drafted for the County Little League Travel Team.
Five practices a week, two games every Sunday.
I admit it, I'm proud.
Okay, I'm Beaming!!!
Truly a gifted athlete, he's been shooting a basketball into a regulation height hoop since he was three.
Is this my dream for him?
Nope.
I am thrilled that he has been given the opportunity to learn and experience this. It is not often that these mini athletes get to participate with teammates that are on their level.
So I'm a Baseball Mom.
Working on eBay allows me the freedom to Coach both of my son's (city) teams, as well as to act on the City Little League Board.
My kids have time management skills most adults would be jealous of!
They have also earned the respect of their peers for their talents, not because they dress the coolest or act the toughest.
My older son has relatively long hair (most of the boys here look bald when their baseball cap is on). At 9 YO, he has the confidence to be different.
Both boys do well academically.
I admire their discipline and dedication.
I am active on the Board to help keep the fun in Little League. Our hometown teams are 100% participation/non-competitive. Parents tend to forget that.
In Baseball, even the finest of players go three for ten.
What a wonderful lesson for these children!
It's okay to not be perfect!
Yippee!!!
In a time when educators fear destroying self-esteem by putting too many "red marks" on a paper, these kids find balance.
Individually, and as part of a team.
The Crazy Culture of Kids Sports is an intrensic part of my children's social education.
But yes, it is Crazy!
only ZOOMIN here
posted on September 1, 2001 09:25:29 AM new
Zoomin's enthusiasm above mirrors a couple of families we were close to. Their children were involved in soccer, just like those in your article, James. Another family was also equally involved in their son playing hockey.
Many of the life skills these children learn are beyond the comprehension of those who aren't involved (to this degree) and possibly see this as obsessive in some way.
The families we knew were very close and very very organized. The children loved what they were involved in, felt pride in their accomplishments and did very well in their academics. They've all grown up to be successful adults.
As a parent I've always believed that if you keep children busy and involved in something they love, it keeps them out of trouble too. They're focused on what they enjoy doing, rather than being bored and looking for something negative to 'enjoy'.
posted on September 1, 2001 02:04:00 PM newLindaK
>>>if you keep children busy and involved in something they love, it keeps them out of trouble<<<
This is what I'm hoping!
I see far too many kids hanging out at the Mall or stoned at the Park.
Not to mention the Video Game addicts or TV junkies.
We try to keep everything in perspective.
They're are plenty of obsessive examples that remind us of what is not a positive experience for our kids or our family.
We have shared a great deal of "quality time" together as well as some interesting experiences.
My kids have seen parents (both fans & coaches) behave poorly. They see adults make mistakes in judgement.
Question authority? Sometimes.
Different leagues have different rules and at times the Officials are respectfully questioned. BUT when Blue makes a call, it is always right. Foul is foul, Fair is fair, a ball is a ball, a strike is a strike and when you're out or safe...well, you get the point.
They have learned the importance of fairness and participation, as well as the responsibility you have to "the team".
One of the most rewarding parts of playing in a non-competitive league(in addition to the All-Star Teams) is how these kids bond.
Win or lose, just play fair, try your best and, most importantly, have fun enjoying the sport for the Great American Pastime that it is.
(who says Baseball doesn't have any cheerleaders!)
*Apple Pie is in the Oven*
Love,
Coach Mom
posted on September 1, 2001 02:29:41 PM new
On the front page of today's Sun-Sentinel, regarding the Bronx Little League:
http://sunsentinel.com/sports/sfl-hyde01sep01.story
As the Little League World Series story of Danny Almonte unravels in such a slimy way you need a steam bath while reading it, the most infuriating part isn't the grown-ups' antics, the boyhood corruption or even that this baseball tournament -- billed as a slice of Americana as Norman Rockwell would paint it -- got taken big-time.
In a nutshell, this is why I'm involved on the field as well as at the table.
Another blaring example of poor judgement by adults and how it can hurt these talented young athletes.
