Post by Okieflyer on Aug 7, 2005 11:42:42 GMT -5
Todays (Sunday, 7 Aug) Parade magazine has a great article on Parents and youth sports. One part of the article talks about kids that quit sports before the age of 13.
My oldest two boys (11 years and 9 years) are as different as can be when it comes to sports. They both love to play, but the younger one is so much better than the older. My eleven year old still wants to play, but he usually gets to spend almost all of his time on the bench. The 9 year old can play anywhere you put him. Excellent pitcher, catcher, football, whatever. This is tough on me as a father.
This is my solution and feel free to tell me where I'm off track. Now of course this applies only to leagues and not tournaments.
1) I think there needs to be a tryout.
At first this seems self centered and to competitive. But here's my thought, you divide the kids by abllity.
2) Put the more advanced kids in one division and the less advanced in the lower division.
This would allow kids like my older son to actually play and learn more than just sitting. Some kids are late bloomers and it would be great if they were still involved.
But this won't work for possibly one reason...pride. Parents take things personal when "little Johnny" isn't on the best. That wouldn't bother me, I just want my oldest boy to be able to play if he wants.
The reallity is that even when a organization says they "Non-competitive", you know better. I've seen many teams we played that you know they didn't just get the luck of the draw. I know there are other reasons, but what are some your thoughts on it?
My oldest two boys (11 years and 9 years) are as different as can be when it comes to sports. They both love to play, but the younger one is so much better than the older. My eleven year old still wants to play, but he usually gets to spend almost all of his time on the bench. The 9 year old can play anywhere you put him. Excellent pitcher, catcher, football, whatever. This is tough on me as a father.
This is my solution and feel free to tell me where I'm off track. Now of course this applies only to leagues and not tournaments.
1) I think there needs to be a tryout.
At first this seems self centered and to competitive. But here's my thought, you divide the kids by abllity.
2) Put the more advanced kids in one division and the less advanced in the lower division.
This would allow kids like my older son to actually play and learn more than just sitting. Some kids are late bloomers and it would be great if they were still involved.
But this won't work for possibly one reason...pride. Parents take things personal when "little Johnny" isn't on the best. That wouldn't bother me, I just want my oldest boy to be able to play if he wants.
The reallity is that even when a organization says they "Non-competitive", you know better. I've seen many teams we played that you know they didn't just get the luck of the draw. I know there are other reasons, but what are some your thoughts on it?