Proud Parent: What happened to everyone gets to play?
This letter was sent to an editor at a newspaper somewhere else in the country. The letter was posted on a popular Website frequented by sports journalists that has generated countless comments and page views. At the bottom of the letter I posted a few comments from the sportswriters.
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Sent in this week...guess the "8th Place" ribbon makers like this stuff or "Participation" trophy makers...
Because there is nothing between playing on a team and doing drugs. Don't kids have video games to fall back on lady?
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To the Editor:
It's another year of spring sports season with all the extra expense that come with that such as extra gas to and from the school for practice and games.
I have no problem with that what so ever especially in today's society where alcohol and drugs seem to be at our kid's fingertips.
I feel if you try to keep them active in something positive that they enjoy and can focus on, it will help keep them steered in the right direction, hopefully.
What is aggravating is game after game to go watch them sit on the bench when they have put as much time into it as everyone else on the team. No one is so good they shouldn't sit on the bench.
No wonder today's society is in such a mess. I feel there is no reason every kid that goes out for a sport should get to play an equal amount of time.
My definition of winning is not on the scoreboard but that you have kept kids interested in something so they do not head down the wrong path.
I now see how kids easily give up on trying something when they just get benched. They end up with too much spare time, which can be a negative thing. I do not see any of our county schools producing professional athletes, they may have missed a few that were on the bench. You cannot improve on things if you do not play.
About 70% of my property tax dollars go to the school. We have taken that money and built a lot of things built around sports programs such as a field house, a soccer field, baseball diamonds and a locker room building. It would be nice if I only had to pay tax for what my kid used that would just be a very small section of the bench in the dugout. This is great as long as every kid gets an equal opportunity.
I don't think there should be cuts in sports, what happened to everyone gets to play, they are kids. I do not know anyone getting taxed in this county that their career is a professional athlete. I do not know who the "Star Athletes" were twenty years ago in high school. Society has created some unethical standards for our youth over the years and we now are paying for it. They say "Get kids involved" which drives them to keep they're grades up to participate in that activity. This is valuable lesson and will provide them many opportunities in life however then they park them on the bench to kick them down.
I understand when you commit to coaching that you obligate a lot of free time but no one makes anyone take that position. When you do, it should be for the right reasons. Positive role model and boost the kids self esteem, which will help make them productive citizens in the future. They can't get that sitting on the bench over and over.
Life is so short and times are so tough for our kids to stay on the right path, I would think when they have kids trying to be involved in something, the athletic department would do everything in their power to keep them involved. These kids are "Our Future," and when you watch the news it seems there are more slipping through the cracks than into a professional athletic career.
Proud Parent of my child for not giving up
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Comments:
spikechiquet: "no one" remembers the high school stars in 20 years. Yup, I'm sure no one remembers a high school aged Mikey Jordan or that good kid with a fast ball named Clemens. I heard Texas might sign him. Let's not keep score...heck, let's not report the scores in the paper. Heck, let's get rid of the sports section since if my kid can't be in it...there's no reason for it to be there. Ooops, sorry, that might happen someday. I should shut up now.
CA_journo: So having "everybody play" now will just set them up for failure later in life. What are these parents going to say when their kid eventually figures out that not everyone gets to be an astronaut or all-star baseball player later in life? Will they write letters to CEOs saying that their kids applied just as hard as the people that got the jobs?
WaylonJennings: I played baseball in high school, and was a career backup. My only reaction to that? "If you get better, you'll play." I played with those guys since we were like 7 years old. We knew who the best players were. The hierarchy established itself pretty early. I was still invested completely, and when we lost in the state tournament, I cried on the way home on the bus just like everyone else. I didn't think, "If only I'd been out there ..."
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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Though the author takes the argument too far into that ultra politically-correct world of participation ribbons and such, he does however delve into some of the problems with high school sports. The issue does not involve the kids as much as it does the coaches. Good coaches have the cognizance that all but maybe one or two of their players will not play at any collegiate level (JuCo,and NAIA included). Therefore, it is incumbent upon them to act as mature adults towards their teams and not let their personal ambitions blind them. But sadly, too many of these coaches have been spoon-fed into the Vince Lombardi school of "winning isn't everything, its the only thing." That type of coach who only cares about victory will only play his starting lineup and the top of the second team. They lack the inguenity to create what Jackie Sherill did at Texas A & M, with an all scrub kick off squad. Playing only a select few divides, rather than unites the team. Only a heartless parent would not be sympathetic with their kid's high school sports experience being hijacked by a victory obsessed and ultimately self-absorbed coach.
Though the author takes the argument too far into that ultra politically-correct world of participation ribbons and such, he does however delve into some of the problems with high school sports. The issue does not involve the kids as much as it does the coaches. Good coaches have the cognizance that all but maybe one or two of their players will not play at any collegiate level (JuCo,and NAIA included). Therefore, it is incumbent upon them to act as mature adults towards their teams and not let their personal ambitions blind them. But sadly, too many of these coaches have been spoon-fed into the Vince Lombardi school of "winning isn't everything, its the only thing." That type of coach who only cares about victory will only play his starting lineup and the top of the second team. They lack the inguenity to create what Jackie Sherill did at Texas A & M, with an all scrub kick off squad. Playing only a select few divides, rather than unites the team. Only a heartless parent would not be sympathetic with their kid's high school sports experience being hijacked by a victory obsessed and ultimately self-absorbed coach.
I am a High School Coach and I agree with the parent. I struggle with the idea of going for the jugular or gambling and allowing everyone to play. Fire me if you will but "Development" is just that, a place to develop. There is always a way for the kid to play, maybe not all game or meet but they can all play.
Eventually, at CIF time I have to make some calls, but all my players play, and a good amount.
I've won CIF doing this and I will continue to do so.
That said, make sure you have an open heart to heart with the coach, sometimes there may be an attitude or lack of effort and that may lead to issues.
And your last comment "no one made you take the position", you step up and do it then. HELP OUT at the very least.
Sport does offer a lot of good yet painful lessons, that comment might be an indicator of some family issue.
Best of luck parent!
If your definition of winning can not be found on the scoreboard, then all the sports utilizing a scoreboard must be wrong. I would recommend you guide your child to a sport that doesn't keep score. Good luck.
Big OL Cat said:
Well stated. This upbinging is the "eye of the storm"
Maybe there is something to it... there are more and more kids who just quit because they aren't the best at something, or they could care less about sports because they have to COMMIT to it. I think that maybe the problem isn't with the kid, but the problem started years ago with the PARENT! I know this wont be very popular but I believe that if parents teach their children not to quit and to persevere when things are difficult or tough that the kids would be better of in the long run. They would learn how to be a true team player and accept their role. Not every player is a starter (in life or in a game), but every player IS IMPORTANT, the guys (or girls) that run the scout team are just as much a part of the team as the starters. Anyone who has prepared for a serious sports competition know if you don't get a good look in practice you WILL NOT preform well in the game. It's not just on the coaches to teach character, it should be on the parents from the time the kids are little ones. Maybe then the kids wont grow up thinking if things don't go my way I'll just write an anonymous letter, but go out there and do something about it.
Contributor,
Ever heard of AYSO?- the perfect proving ground for no accountability, mediocrity, and the faint of heart... but the snacks sure are cool! I wish I could take 100% of my tax dollars and use them to awaken mentalities of like-minded parents as yourself. Step your game UP!
And you wonder why your kids will be living with you till their 40. Parents stop sheltering your kids, let them grow up and learn competition is a good thing. Like Gordon Geco told us "Greed is Good" well; "Competition is Good"; it's the driving force to success in the real world.
Plus the kids that "ride the pine" but practice their ass off everyday become the best teammates and the kid everyone on the team loves and respects. They learn incredible work ethic and teamwork: Those values take them much further in life then playing right field for an inning. Parents stop being selfish for your kids sake!
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Why do I think the letter is from a mom... My daughter is in the local soccer league where every body has playing time, but when she begins to play in a competitive environment like High School, She will know that if she does not have the BEST skills, but still wants to be part of a team/program she may have to be a bench warmer. If they can’t handle competitive sports…don’t play.
I think that kid was held back a few years!
Screw that letter....that picture is HILARIOUS!!!