ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 30, 1993                   TAG: 9306300343
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THERE'S MORE TO YOUTH BASEBALL THAN WINNING

AS YOUTH baseball comes to a close, I challenge coaches to ask themselves: "Why put up with constant phone calls, practices, games, cancellations, etc.?

If you can answer it with any reference to helping children, giving a child an opportunity to play team sports and knowing you have made a contribution to that child's future, thank you.

However, if your sole intent is to win, enjoy bragging rights at work and accentuate some children at another child's expense, then please do not volunteer.

The key here is that you are a volunteer whose responsibility is to work with a group of children in an instructional, competitive environment. You cannot be fired, it is difficult to have you replaced, and you have the power to control those children for the time that you are with them.

My two sons play on different teams. The coaching styles and techniques vary because no two are alike. One coach promotes fair play, enjoys seeing the boys enjoying themselves, and derives personal satisfaction from seeing the progress that the children have made from 12 crazy, disorganized kids into a ball team.

The other coach's motto is that "we are here to win." He will do whatever it takes to win, and the boys are exposed to a constant display of not quite right or gray-area methods of playing baseball. He publicly humiliates his players, yet is allowed to "volunteer" his services year after year. However, his worst offense is that he refers to his players as either "all-stars" or "substitutes." They are not referred to as a ball team.

The irony of these two philosophies is that the "here-to-win" coach is having an average season and the other team out there having fun is undefeated.

As parents, research the background of those who have volunteered to coach your child, and ask them why they are willing to coach.

As current or future coaches, remember these children will learn from you. What do you want them to remember about you? DEBBIE L. CUSTER BLUE RIDGE 


 by CNB