Archive: Opinions

Lansing invests a lot in its sports programs.  These programs for children begin at a very young age and are designed to teach our youth the basics of sports.  These include physical skills as well social ones.  By listening to their adult coaches and interacting with their peers, our children develop an understanding of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play.

While coaches and players devote countless hours to their sport, parents play an important role as well.  They serve as chauffeurs, cheer leaders, consolers, and “assistant” coaches.  They stand or sit for hours while their sons and daughters run, skate, drive,  sprint, chase, block, jump, punt, kick, defend, shoot, pass, throw, catch, putt and steal-the only time this activity is ever encouraged.

Days follow weeks.  Weeks turn into months.  Seasons change, and our children mature.  Eventually, each child becomes a person molded and shaped by so many hands: parents, teachers, coaches, and friends.   As the years go by, we witness a transformation of our kids into adults. We watch them perform in their respective arena with awe and pride.  Victories are shared with pride as our team wins.   When they fail we feel their sense of loss.

No matter the outcome of any event, these children exceed our expectations.   We look in wonder and ask, “Is that really my kid?”

On overcast Saturday afternoon at a small high school athletic field, the boy’s varsity baseball team played two games.  They won both games, and earned the title, “Class C New York State Baseball Champions.”  The wins were impressive.  The boys played well.  They gave everything they had.  They deserved to be champions.

What was most impressive about this year’ team, was not their undefeated season, which I might add was spectacular, but it was how they played.  These boys played as a team.  Whether on the field or at bat, the players encouraged and challenged one another.  If someone made an outstanding catch or hit the ball, it was a team response of approval.  If there was an error or bad play, the team did not look to blame an individual.  They simply took in all in stride learned from their mistake.

What surprised me most was the players’ attitude during the game.  They were always smiling.  If they were winning, they smiled.  If they were behind, they smiled.  If the umpire made a bad call, they eventually smiled.  These kids were having fun.  Can you image that:  kids having fun while playing sports?

Throughout the season, reporters asked Coach Dean how he had assembled such a winning team, or what did he do to get his players to perform.  He always replied, “These kids are amazing.  They just play well together.”  True, they are amazing and do play well together, but they are guided by an equally amazing coach.  He instilled in them sportsmanship and fair play.   His words, at least the ones that I heard, were always ones of encouragement.

When the catcher positioned himself to catch the third and final out of the championship game, there was a moment of complete silence.  As the ball landed in his mitt, that silence was broken by a chorus of cheers and smiles from the players, coaches, parents, and fans.   We all had fun watching our team this year.  At times, our hearts skipped a few beats, especially on Saturday, but we never doubted our kids.  We knew they were winners every time they laced up their cleats and jogged out onto the field.  We are proud of their State Championship title.  We are equally proud that they earned it through hard work, sportsmanship, and having more fun than any kid could hope to have.  And that is to the point.

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