Can children be taught the value of sportsmanship in an era of steroid abuse among professional athletes and ever more aggressive parents in the stands at little league games?

by Jeremy Stewart

Created on: July 08, 2009

Little League is a great atmosphere for children and not so much for adults. Parents tend to lose their tempers with coaches and even their own children! Children are greatly influenced by their parents whether their parents are an integral part of their life or not. In sports, many children grow up with parents pressuring them to become the "greatest" and I believe that is where the problems start. As a former Little Leaguer, I had my sports heroes and imagined myself to be them quite frequently.

I remember being in fourth grade when the Major Leagues went on strike. I remember the feeling of betrayal I had when they did so. I never played baseball for a team after that year. I was so angry that they would go on strike when they were getting paid to play baseball! I moved onto other sports. I think things have changed dramatically in Little League now. There are leagues that everyone gets to play and then there are leagues where if you don't win you are chastised. I think the problem in Little League sports today is within the families.

More money is spent on Little League sporting equipment today. It appears that parents, specifically dads, have a vision for their children to become superstar athletes. Many times they are trying to live their dream through their children. It seems that the pressure to be the "greatest" at sports is what actually influences those who do steroids. At the elite athletic level, what separates one athlete from the other can simply be a modified body. Many stars from Major League Baseball are often brought up as examples of steroid users but further investigation shows that athletes from all sports have been using steroids.

It's hard to play for fun and to win at the same time. It is possible. I believe that the people who allow their children to play sports and to use Little League to be a training ground for life, will likely avoid the pressures to win at all cost. The danger is that so many parents are used by the sports industry. Let's face it, in America, everything is turned for a profit. The sports industry is one of the highest generating revenues for our country. There is nothing wrong with wanting the best equipment but when I see five year olds decked out in various name-brands and they can barely pay attention to the game, I wonder if there is something missing. Could it be that we are seeking satisfaction in being the "greatest" instead of enjoying what we have, and who we have?

My parents did not pressure me into playing sports. It was my choice to play. However, if I were to ever express a desire to quit after I had started something they would never let me do so. They taught me to persevere and to finish what I had committed to. The more that I think about sports and who influenced me most, the more I think about my parents. Some of the greatest lessons in life came through the teachable moments I had while playing sports. I know that I was blessed to have wonderful parents who took an interest in helping me enjoy my childhood and to develop into a responsible adult.

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