Post by crash23 on Feb 5, 2007 10:58:29 GMT -8
... is tonight. Soon practices will begin and hopefully the drama will end. If everything was as pure as the "game" Little League would be much better for it.
As the season rolls along I hope everyone focuses on building bridges, not walls. I hope we can focus on what we have in common, not our differences. Generally we have more of the former than the latter, sometimes we just seem to forget that.
I hope in the process of teaching kids to win, we also teach them to be winners. I hope we can teach kids that when they lose "the game" that doesn't make them a loser. Character reveals itself in the way we handle ourselves - win or lose, and in good times and bad. I hope we can help players develop great character in the process of teaching the game. That's a lesson that will stick with them long after their playing days are done.
I hope the adults - coaches, fans, umpires and league officials alike - all remember to model the behavior we want in the kids. I see no place for derogatory comments toward players from the stands. Wouldn't it be cool if we treated opposing fans and teams with the same respect that we treated our own? There's nothing wrong with cheering for your team but there's no reason to belittle the opposing one. I hope no opposing coach yells out "I got it" when there's a pop-up hit to the other team. No opposing player for that matter. Wouldn't it be cool if we all focused on making this as positive experience as possible for everyone?
I think too often we view the other team as the adversary - but they're not, they're opponents. Big difference. I think we need to teach our kids this. We are all from the same town and many of our kids will become teammates, classmates or co-workers down the road.
This year especially, b/c of inter-league, we have a great opportunities to build bridges and foster friendships. I guess all I'm saying is let's seize the opportunity and make great things happen.
As the season rolls along I hope everyone focuses on building bridges, not walls. I hope we can focus on what we have in common, not our differences. Generally we have more of the former than the latter, sometimes we just seem to forget that.
I hope in the process of teaching kids to win, we also teach them to be winners. I hope we can teach kids that when they lose "the game" that doesn't make them a loser. Character reveals itself in the way we handle ourselves - win or lose, and in good times and bad. I hope we can help players develop great character in the process of teaching the game. That's a lesson that will stick with them long after their playing days are done.
I hope the adults - coaches, fans, umpires and league officials alike - all remember to model the behavior we want in the kids. I see no place for derogatory comments toward players from the stands. Wouldn't it be cool if we treated opposing fans and teams with the same respect that we treated our own? There's nothing wrong with cheering for your team but there's no reason to belittle the opposing one. I hope no opposing coach yells out "I got it" when there's a pop-up hit to the other team. No opposing player for that matter. Wouldn't it be cool if we all focused on making this as positive experience as possible for everyone?
I think too often we view the other team as the adversary - but they're not, they're opponents. Big difference. I think we need to teach our kids this. We are all from the same town and many of our kids will become teammates, classmates or co-workers down the road.
This year especially, b/c of inter-league, we have a great opportunities to build bridges and foster friendships. I guess all I'm saying is let's seize the opportunity and make great things happen.