By Mommy Warriors Guest Blogger Ifsha Buttitta
Kids are starting organized sports and activities at a much earlier age. My husband remembers his first t-ball experience starting at age 8;our son has done a youth t-ball league at a nearby park since he was 4.
It’s great kids are learning the social aspects of being in a team and getting some exposure to basics of the sport so early.
competition at the t-ball levelThis year,in the next division up within the same league,the kids are 6 years old (maybe one or two 7 year olds). Three out of the four coaches are on the same page:make it a fun experience for the kids,teach them some basics about baseball. The remaining coach can only be described as hard core –his players run to tag the other team out,and he and the parents want to keep score and take outs seriously (no one else in the league does). At the last game one of our parents overheard the other team’s parents saying:“Why don’t you play by the rules?”At the first game,when we did play by their rules,a girl on our team,who had never played baseball before,was very sad when she got out,saying “I lost the game for our team.”
Does our society coddle kids,by letting everyone have a turn to bat and run the bases,regardless? Or is our society type A,emphasizing competition and the drive to succeed at all costs,even to 6 year olds?
I see both. But I think there is a time for competition,and maybe 6 year olds should just be allowed to have fun while they’re learning. It’s noticeable how much kids are pushed in our society by the questions we get. People don’t ask our son if he’s enjoying playing baseball. They ask:“Did you win?”When you’re 6,getting out there,playing and giving it your all is winning enough in my book.
Ifsha Buttitta is a freelance writer and editor and the owner of Tot-Bot Baby Gifts (www.tot-bot.com)
www.mommywarriors.com
