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[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=15358

7/2/2008 11:00:00 AM
Is Winning More Important Than Letting All Kids Play?

I attended my 9-year-old granddaughter's softball game last night at Condon Field in Trail Creek. I have also attended some of her other games, as well as my grandson's T-ball games. He is 7 years old. I am appalled at how these leagues are run. It appears that it is so important to the coaches to win that they are pretty selective as to who gets to play, and some children spend much more than their fair share sitting on the bench.

These children, as well as their parents, devote a lot of time and effort to making sure they attend practices as well as games. It is true that some children are naturally more athletic and develop physically at a faster rate than others and thus demonstrate more ability early on, but at this young age the others can catch up if given an opportunity.

Why don't League rules mandate that all children receive equal playing time? If the League mandated that all coaches abide by this rule, it would have an equalizing effect and all the teams would be playing on equal ground.

Our grown children who have moved to other communities say that their rules regulating young players mandate that all children participate equally.

How do children improve if they don't get to play? I applaud the coaches who do treat their team members fairly, and if the League would set and enforce the rules they would not be penalized for doing what all of the coaches should be doing. I think it is time for coaches to grow up and put their own egos aside and exhibit some fair play.

Sharon Raab

Michigan City