It’s just a game

My 4-year-old twin boys saw their 7-year-old sister playing soccer and dad coaching them, so the boys decided in the fall they wanted to play soccer for the first time. Being a former soccer player in high school and college, I felt compelled to coach the team. Aside from it being a fulfilling adventure, I don’t think I have ever worked that hard on my regular job or sweated that much at the gym. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone who has ever coached a bunch of 4- and 5-year olds. It’s not easy, but it is fun.

One of the memorable moments unfolded during my halftime speech. As I was encouraging the team to continue to run fast and kick hard, I was interrupted by Jason, who politely raised his hand and asked, “Can we go to McDonald’s? I’m hungry.” There was never a dull moment all season long. Santa brought my kids basketballs, soccer balls and a football, so they are raring to start playing again.

This got me thinking about the impact sports can have on our children.

The National Council of Youth Sports estimates that 41 million boys and girls play organized sports, and that number continues to grow steadily. It’s no secret that sports presents all sorts of chances for kids to learn how to focus, work hard and become team players. With good coaching, they learn to push themselves, learn how their body can move with grace and power, how to plan and apply strategy, how to fail with class, how to succeed with humility, and of course, sports can build character in life.

Youth sports is one of those rare activities that captures the undivided attention of parents. For many it can be the foundation of a lifetime of exercise, better diet and attention to physical effort and joy, rather than drugs or sitting on the couch staring at a screen all day.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is some parents take their children’s sports experience over the edge. Boisterous and obnoxious Little League, football and soccer parents have been around as long as youth sports. But as leagues have grown bigger, the horror stories about out-of-control parents have grown worse around the country.

A couple of years ago a soccer mother in Greensboro, N.C., was charged with assault after hitting a referee after a game. A father in Cleveland punched a 15-year-old boy during a soccer game because he felt the player had pushed his son around. In Maryland, one county’s recreation department canceled its basketball playoffs for a few years, partly because of concerns about fan conduct. And this past year, CNN, ESPN and USA Today reported on the father who went on the football field and clobbered another kid, just because he had leveled a hard hit on his son on the previous play.

In this issue, writer Andrea Neighbours takes a revealing look at what’s wrong with youth sports in Baton Rouge. She examines the relationship between parents and their children who play, and at the coaches and leaders who try, often to no avail, to rid their leagues of ugly behavior. You’ll read what experts in the field of sports psychology say about what sends otherwise normal parents over the edge, and you’ll learn that it’s easier than you might think to go too far, even with all the best intentions.

We even offer you a quiz (P. 62) to gauge whether you’re a parent who takes your child’s athletics a little too seriously. We’ll also offer you tips from the experts on how to avoid going too far, and what you can do to remain positive and supportive of your children as they compete, rather than a distraction, or worse, an embarrassment.

Remember, winning is great, and trophies on the fireplace mantel are wonderful. Our children are the trophies worth cherishing, regardless of whether or not they toss a ball, run a race, hit a jump shot or score a winning goal.

A new Baton Rouge tradition

At 225 we believe mixing good food and good music makes for a good time. So we’re excited to introduce a new tradition for Baton Rouge. 225 brings you Sunday in the Park, a series of outdoor concerts outside the Shaw Center for the Arts for the spring. You can eat brunch provided by local restaurants or bring your own picnic basket.

For four consecutive Sundays starting April 15, we’ll bring you gospel, jazz and blues from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lafayette Park, at Lafayette Street and North Boulevard.

Sunday in the Park is a joint venture by the Arts Council, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Capital City Grill, Downtown Development District, Hilton Capitol Center, Mayor Kip Holden and producer John Jackson. It’s destined to become a tradition you’ll enjoy, one that’ll make you even prouder of Baton Rouge. Watch for details, and mark your calendar.