Randy Smith
I know I've written several times about this subject but with each one I write, I find there is still material to be covered or issues I haven't hit on yet. So here goes another column about youth sports.
I was speaking with a very dear old friend a couple of days ago about when our kids played summer baseball. He told me that his ex-wife refused to allow their two sons to play all-stars in the summer because, " it was stupid to spend that much money just to play ball." (That could be the one of the reasons that she is his ex-wife.) I totally disagree with that outlook.
It would be stupid if your son or daughter showed no interest nor any ability to play youth sports. But if they did that would be a terrible injustice.
When I watch my grandson Coleman's seven-year-old all-star team from East Brainerd play each weekend, I am amazed at how much fun they are having and when I think about what they might be doing if it weren't for baseball it makes me very happy that he's involved. Not that these kids would be getting into any kind of trouble but how many of them would be spending this time of summer out of school inside in the air conditioned confines of their homes, watching television or simply playing video games. Doing nothing at all physical in nature is not healthy either physically or emotionally. Kids need to be active in something to get them out of the house and playing baseball or softball for girls is one of the best activities I know.
Look, I know every kid can't be a baseball player or an athlete at all but there has to be something to get them active and involved. Soccer, swimming, tennis, golf, and even gymnastics is available. Don't force any of these things on them, but encourage them to find something they like. My children chose baseball and softball when they were small and they stuck with it. They both became very good at it, and both went on to play college sports; my son in football and my daughter in softball. I am a parent who can witness first hand that youth sports helped pave the way for college scholarships for both of my children.
Getting an opportunity to play college ball though should never be a reason to play baseball or softball in the summer. I love the signs at ball parks that say, "No college scholarships will be handed out today." That helps keep things in perspective.
It's not only good for these kids physically but it also allows them to take part in character building. Being a good sport and learning how to accept defeat or win with class are traits that are invaluable later in life. Also to see the benefits of hard work and practice are also invaluable. These seven-year-olds on my grandson's team may not realize it right now, but they have shown so much improvement as a team in the last three weeks.
Playing all-stars or even participating in travel ball for two months is an experience that I will always enjoy, but only if my grandson enjoys it and is benefiting from it. I encourage you to think long and hard before drawing a conclusion that this two month commitment is stupid or a waste of money in any way. It could be some of the best money you ever have the privilege of spending.
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Randy Smith has been covering sports on radio, television and print for the past 45 years. After leaving WRCB-TV in 2009, he has written two books, and has continued to free-lance as a play-by-play announcer. His career has included a 17-year stretch as host of the Kickoff Call In Show on the University of Tennessee’s prestigious Vol Network. He has been a member of the Vol Network staff for 30 years. He has done play-by-play on ESPN, ESPN II, CSS, and Fox SportSouth, totaling more than 500 games, and served as a well-known sports anchor on Chattanooga television for more than a quarter-century. In 2003, he became the first television broadcaster to be inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame. Randy and his wife Shelia reside in Hixson. They have two married children, Christi and Chris Perry; Davey and Alison Smith. They have five grandchildren, Coleman, Boone, Mattingly, DellaMae, and CoraLee.