Posted on 06/27/2008 4:48:51 AM PDT by TornadoAlley3
BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- A local community has canceled an all-star game for youth baseball players because it doesn't want to exclude anyone.
People in Beachwood are upset, and it's not just parents and children. The issue is when is a child just learning a game and when are they old enough to compete in it?
The city of Beachwood and its recreation department drew the line at age 12.
The phone lines lit up on WTAM on Thursday morning as parents and sports fans called to voice their opinion on the city canceling its all-star game for 9- to 12-year-olds.
For decades the game has been played on July 4, but in a letter to the coaches, the parks and recreation department said the tradition is over, saying its not their desire to exclude any child from participating in a recreation event.
The letter sites an article written by the CEO of the National Alliance for Youth Sports that says all-star games bruise young egos.
It's a thought he issued to WTAM host Bob Franz.
"Below the age of 10, children don't care. What they really care about is having fun and playing," said Fred Engh.
Franz has one father call in whose child would have played in next week's all-star game. He said his son is very disappointed because this was the first year he was selected and he's worked hard all year to get this honor.
The letter sites an article written ...
Gaaack!
Liberal egalitarianism runs rampant.
“The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” (Japan)
Success and winning are fun Fred. ;)
New City Slogan: “Beachwood, Where Everybody’s Average.”
It sort of communist indoctrination in a way. No reward for hard work.
If you’re not going to have an all-star game, there are other good reasons besides “hurt feelings” that have merit, e.g. dealing with parents who wildly overestimate the skill levels of their children, scheduling around vacations, etc. However, the nature of an “all-star” game is by definition exclusionary, otherwise it’s just another game.
I kind of think the idea of having an all-star is silly at any level anyway unless the proceeds go to charity, but that’s a different subject.
...wait a minute...
Isn't there a name for a system where everyone is treated and rewarded the same regardless of effort?
Yes Fred because : “It's not whether you win or lose.....
It's whether you win!!”
Lurking’
I think he’s right for a lot of kids, but I don’t see the point of including his comment in the article to begin with.
I agree with your comment though, my son’s team (U-11) has a lot more fun when they win. I don’t think they obsess over winning and losing like they will when they get older, but it’s more fun when you win.
We don’t necessarily coach to win at all costs, e.g. everybody plays “about” the same amount of time, but in a close game, certain boys will play more than others, particularly at the end of the game, and the boys kinda know that.
"Could care less" Fred? That means they do care.
From Fred's organization's page:
Q: What is the organization's biggest accomplishment since its inception in 1981?
FE: While there have been numerous accomplishments, perhaps the greatest is having a board, staff and host of recreation professionals who are totally dedicated to the mission of the Alliance. It is for this reason that the Alliance has reached the level it is at today.
Ummm.. Okay. It's NOT about the kids is it? It's all about YOUR organization, isn't it?
“Below the age of 10, children don’t care. What they really care about is having fun and playing,” said Fred Engh.
My wife and I run a 25 team baseball & fastpitch league for ages 6-15 boys (baseball) & girls (fastpitch). I’ve also coached for 7 years now and believe me when I say, it does not matter how old a kid is, THEY DO CARE ABOUT WINNING.
It is always the parents who use the line... “It’s just important that they have fun”.
We are old school, sports are about learning how to be a winner and a loser, not just in the game but also in life.
Silly me.
Young egos are supposed to get bruised so they can learn how to become a winner.
Should be “Where below average is the norm.”
Hmmmm?.....Communism?..................Liberals ought to read their Bibles, if they own one. Especially the parable of the "Ten Talents"............
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