kids/childrens' sports / thoughts

[John105]

I understand that playing to win is an important philosophy, but there is no joy in being a bench warmer. Third-string pro athletes do it because they are being paid, and they don't need to play in actual games to build fitness and game skills since the team has a gym and practice field.

Would this translate into work and money? Partners are first string, managing directors are second string, directors are third string, sr managers are fourth string, and everyone else rides the pine?

Again my bias is that because I did not excel in sports, I’d rather be included. But I know when I was 10 I’d not want to start anything. I did play baseball 2nd through 10th but was mediocre at best. Occasional HR and stole bases. Wild arm

I didn’t start skiing until 12. But I am well above average due to having the opportunity to spend every weekend at Killington with a friend’s family.

I was a bench warmer in football and no wasn’t that fun.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I started baseball at 10 years old. Nobody ever said I was too old or anything like that. The rules we played by though were called “semi pro” rules. Meaning like you could get ejected, you didn’t play every game, you were assigned to maybe 1 or 2 positions, 9 innings etc. Definitely not a young kids league I think the minimum age was 10 actually. I played till I was about 15 but I got tired of not being the starting catcher so I quit after the 2017 season. I miss it but I’m in no shape to play today and don’t have time lol. And I kinda liked taking it easy on the bench actually lol. I hated wearing my jersey so I always rocked the pullover jacket instead of a jersey but always kept my jersey handy in case I had to come into the game or was starting the game.

 

[John105]

I started baseball at 10 years old. Nobody ever said I was too old or anything like that. The rules we played by though were called “semi pro” rules. Meaning like you could get ejected, you didn’t play every game, you were assigned to maybe 1 or 2 positions, 9 innings etc. Definitely not a young kids league I think the minimum age was 10 actually. I played till I was about 15 but I got tired of not being the starting catcher so I quit after the 2017 season. I miss it but I’m in no shape to play today and don’t have time lol. And I kinda liked taking it easy on the bench actually lol. I hated wearing my jersey so I always rocked the pullover jacket instead of a jersey but always kept my jersey handy in case I had to come into the game or was starting the game.

You just made me imagine…I wouldn’t mind being a backup goaltender. I’d be wearing cool protective gear, and in charge of opening and closing the door for people who are playing . I think it would be awkward when the team wins and line up to congratulate one another.

Again I’m no athlete so I’m more for inclusion not excluding those who are getting a late start…

 

[andrewg]

I am of the opinion that today's parents put WAY too much emphasis on sports. Some sports are good....but the extreme is not. We should be focusing more on academics. The world is passing us by.

 

[AutoMechanic]

You just made me imagine…I wouldn’t mind being a backup goaltender. I’d be wearing cool protective gear, and in charge of opening and closing the door for people who are playing . I think it would be awkward when the team wins and line up to congratulate one another.

Again I’m no athlete so I’m more for inclusion not excluding those who are getting a late start…

Haha. I loved catching. I was catcher, third base and first base but catcher was my favorite. A season of 50 games I maybe started 30 the first few seasons then was backup the rest except occasionally. And I also enjoyed coaching first base too when needed. I really liked my league for having it setup the way they did with the semi pro rules. They were optional but it made you feel like a professional so that’s why I liked it that way. And yes I got ejected a few times too when I let the umpire know that his strike call was wrong lol

 

[John105]

I am of the opinion that today's parents put WAY too much emphasis on sports. Some sports are good....but the extreme is not. We should be focusing more on academics. The world is passing us by.

My mom is the other extreme and feels most sports are a waste of time. She thinks it’s absurd that a pitcher can be compensated $46 mil/yr or $800 mil. She respects brainiacs but doesn’t that also become a Longshot. How many can turn into a Zuckerburg and pay for a natural disaster by stroking a check. She does like karate though. Swimming too. Not ice hockey nor football.

 

[John105]

Small win…was able to transfer old junior visor, to new senior helmet. Kid has a relatively large head. I even needed to expand the Sr Med helmet. Also due to the screws being rusted, had to drill out the screws on the old helmet to release the visor (dunno if they make the loops to hold it, likely yes). Broke a 7/64 bit too

Seriously, it’s fun playing the equipment manager. Just like anything else, I like to know and understand the gear, specs, compare, etc. Even making sure the fit is correct is enjoyable after putting in a day at work.

 

[GSCJR]

There is “something” to helping a little old lady cross the street. Today, I cannot tell you how many times I get in an elevator, and say “good morning,” and hear crickets. It’s 2024, most don’t do that anymore. Nor how many times a person in front of me lets the door close rather than holding it. Just wasn’t raised that way.

+1

 

[nickaluch]

I have three daughters that all danced no sports. I had to beg them to join highschool kick line so I could actually watch some sports that then led to college kick line. I actually enjoyed being a kick line dad. Now the dance competitions and recitals were dreadful but I put on a good show made the best of it.

 

[Pablo]

My youngest was on Drill team, they went to state comp twice, they came in second one of the times. Very physical the routines they designed and she still 10 years later has some aches and pains from it.

 

[ripcord]

My youngest was on Drill team, they went to state comp twice, they came in second one of the times. Very physical the routines they designed and she still 10 years later has some aches and pains from it.

This was a big consideration for me. I absolutely did not want my kids reaching adulthood with any lifelong effects from sports injuries, so my wife and I were in adamant agreement that our son wasn't going to play impact sports.

My feeling on the subject is that kids sports should be fun and enriching but I see way too many parents living their sports dreams vicariously through their kids and injecting all kinds of negativity and unwarranted pressure. Especially youth football. If you've ever screamed at an umpire or referee as a parent, you're doing kids' sports wrong, IMO.

Both our kids played soccer while it was fun for them. The year my son's team had two Ukrainian brothers on the team (who I think had a tiny soccer ball to play with en utero) was a blast. Other years were much more "character building." My daughter spent her whole childhood attending dance classes and has an incredible level of fitness from it, though I worry that there may be consequences later in life from it.

 

[ripcord]

I have three daughters that all danced no sports. I had to beg them to join highschool kick line so I could actually watch some sports that then led to college kick line. I actually enjoyed being a kick line dad. Now the dance competitions and recitals were dreadful but I put on a good show made the best of it.

From one dance parent to another, though the thought of triple the recitals is over the top... and the cost. Wow.

 

[John105]

This was a big consideration for me. I absolutely did not want my kids reaching adulthood with any lifelong effects from sports injuries, so my wife and I were in adamant agreement that our son wasn't going to play impact sports.

My feeling on the subject is that kids sports should be fun and enriching but I see way too many parents living their sports dreams vicariously through their kids and injecting all kinds of negativity and unwarranted pressure. Especially youth football. If you've ever screamed at an umpire or referee as a parent, you're doing kids' sports wrong, IMO.

Both our kids played soccer while it was fun for them. The year my son's team had two Ukrainian brothers on the team (who I think had a tiny soccer ball to play with en utero) was a blast. Other years were much more "character building." My daughter spent her whole childhood attending dance classes and has an incredible level of fitness from it, though I worry that there may be consequences later in life from it.

My parents forbade me from playing football starting in 11th grade. They felt the risk of injury was higher than average and encouraged me to play tennis, swimming, track, interestingly all the individual sports. They really didn’t see any value in being on a team playing with others, etc. I’d be ok with whatever my son wants to do. My wife joked you ok if he wants to dance? I probably made a look like Tim the Tool Man Taylor, but I would. If that’s what he wanted to do, I’d be behind him. I’m not the same as my parents.

Two weeks ago we were at the ice rink and two young girls were wearing Northwestern hoodies. In my mind it reminded me of my parents. Let’s say the kids are 8 and 10. Let them make up their own minds what college they want to and are able to attend. They’re too young to know at that stage of their lives. I could be totally wrong, often am. My .02

 

[wavinwayne]

My son played golf all through middle and high school. Now he's playing college golf. At least it wasn't expensive. /s

 

[nickaluch]

From one dance parent to another, though the thought of triple the recitals is over the top... and the cost. Wow.

Dance competitions and recitals make hockey look cheap

 

[Pablo]

Dance competitions and recitals make hockey look cheap

Truth. Daughters were soccer up to 12 or so, oldest super athletic (she pitched (fast pitch) softball too, maybe to 14, or so) - but she didn't want to and her decision. Then DRILL and CHEER LEADING.

Like zero hit to budget to I need a home equity loan!!

 

[Ranger83]

My son started ice hockey this fall, I guess you could say at a later age, 10. He has buddies that have been playing 5-6 years already (not on the same team or league). Personally, I don't think it's too late to learn as long as there are kids of the same ability, and the child has a sincere interest.

///

Used to coach youth hockey and still officiate, so I got stories.

While some kids start very young, for most youth programs, U10 has the largest # of kids. And that’s for good reasons: most kids cite “wanting to play with friends,” as their top reason to play.

Many local programs have four U10 teams: Andover, MA has six The fourth team is often brand new skaters, boys and girls. They are fun to officiate because they are more focused on the physical challenges of skating, passing and shooting than trying to win or kill each other

The top U10 teams are quite skilled and can really move the puck. None of them are strong enough to have a really hard shot so the goals are mostly close in.

U12 is still very popular with casual athletes. The #1 teams can be a PITA to officiate because the parents and kids all seem to think they are going to the show. But there are still two or three teams.

With U14, reality sets in. This is the first age group that allows body checking. and physical development varies to a crazy degree. You have 5’3 kids who are skilled but don’t have the size and strength that comes after puberty playing against kids who are 5’10 and can fly. So the number goes down.

It’s a fun game people keep playing all their lives. My son gave up organized hockey at age 15 but plans to start playing again after he graduates college.

P.S. Do not be the parents that yell “Get it OUT!” I can assure you every kid on the ice is doing their best to clear the puck! All I ever yelled at my kids was “Move your feet.”

 

[alarmguy]

I am of the opinion that today's parents put WAY too much emphasis on sports. Some sports are good....but the extreme is not. We should be focusing more on academics. The world is passing us by.

Yes, thank you. Im reading these posts and was trying to structure how to say what you said so perfectly. Honestly all this emphasis on sports, yet a tiny fraction of a fraction of the youth ever make a dime doing it while the world passes us by for sure.
Why isnt the emphasis on true education, excelling in school? Many other cultures do, we know who those are. Just over a week ago I was at Duke University. A significant portion of the student population. (easy to look up) is Asian. Known for their studies and also recruited by western technology companies and the medical industry. To me this helps society more than someone playing ball. (no offense to anyone)

Humans are competitive by nature and I cant help feel much (BUT NOT ALL) of this kids sports stuff are parents vicariously playing through their kids.

 

[slo town]

Sports and martial arts help to instill the values of discipline, work ethic, teamwork, and physical fitness. It is also suppose to teach athletes how to properly deal with stress, struggle, failure and success. It’s more about the life skills than anything.

Amen brother!

Scott

 

[Sedin26]

I started hockey at age 5 (early 1980’s). Also played baseball in the summers.

Sports helped me to make good friends at school, gain self esteem, promote physical fitness, and be part of a team striving for a common goal.

It was good for me in many ways and I enjoyed it. I drifted away from playing at around the grade 6 level once it was getting more competitive and, in the case of hockey, hitting started. I wasn’t particularly good but am glad I participated.