Scholarship pressure changes youth sports
Amid new stresses, adults wonder: What's best for kids?
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/11359...dules/printstory.jsp
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DRIVEL
The stress isnt on the kids--it is on the parents who want to be one up on their neighbors
The stress isnt on the kids--it is on the parents who want to be one up on their neighbors
I didn't access the article but I'll admit that scholarship pressures are changing youth sports. My girl is trying out tonight for the 7th grade basketball team. Since the coach works in my department at the high school, I told him that if my girl is borderline then don't keep her just because of our relationship. (We share a room!) He asked if I wanted her cut. Well, NO! However, I left that conversation thinking if she is playing basketball, she is not playing softball. NOW THAT IS SICK! Even in the 7th grade, we are thinking scholarship and what our child needs to do to get one. Fortunately, she wants one and is willing to work. However, she also wants to play other sports. (She has a s-o-c-c-e-r game tonight.) We, as parents have to step back and let the Kids be kids! I know I fight it all the time. Those scholarships will come in time if it is meant to be. JMHO!
CoachB25,
Agreed. The goal is to help them enjoy playing baseball as much as they can for as long as they can. If they get a scholarship along the way then that means they are more likely to get a chance to play longer.
If a scholarship is the goal and not being a better baseball player then there are better ways to employ one's time and money than paying for baseball instruction, etc.
Agreed. The goal is to help them enjoy playing baseball as much as they can for as long as they can. If they get a scholarship along the way then that means they are more likely to get a chance to play longer.
If a scholarship is the goal and not being a better baseball player then there are better ways to employ one's time and money than paying for baseball instruction, etc.
TRhit: Have you 'one upped' your neighbors?
Scholarships are not changing youth sports.
PARENTS, who see a scholarship as the best plan to paying for college are changing youth sports.
Big difference.
PARENTS, who see a scholarship as the best plan to paying for college are changing youth sports.
Big difference.
TR
I am sorry you as WAY off based. YOu telling me a parent that spends $10,000 on their kid playing baseball is not putting pressure on them, try talking to the players for a change.
I had a number of ball players this summer say they embarrassed by the conduct and behavior of their parents at games and they felt alot of pressure to receive a baseball scholarship because if all the time and money spent by their parents on baseball.
I am sorry you as WAY off based. YOu telling me a parent that spends $10,000 on their kid playing baseball is not putting pressure on them, try talking to the players for a change.
I had a number of ball players this summer say they embarrassed by the conduct and behavior of their parents at games and they felt alot of pressure to receive a baseball scholarship because if all the time and money spent by their parents on baseball.
Scholarships have been around for a very long time.
gotwood
never had to one up anyone--when my boys played there were no showcases in our region not to mention very few around the country
DRIVEL
It is you is way off base--- listen to the parents talk --the majority are putting so much pressure on themselves to make sure they are doing the right thing--the players are pretty much at ease with it all and just go about playing their game
I know of a parent whose son got huge academic scholly to a major school and the boy was on the team--she demanded a baseball scholarship because she had told her neighbors and family that he was going to get one.
I doubt very much that a kid would talk to you about his parents behavior. Why would they?
never had to one up anyone--when my boys played there were no showcases in our region not to mention very few around the country
DRIVEL
It is you is way off base--- listen to the parents talk --the majority are putting so much pressure on themselves to make sure they are doing the right thing--the players are pretty much at ease with it all and just go about playing their game
I know of a parent whose son got huge academic scholly to a major school and the boy was on the team--she demanded a baseball scholarship because she had told her neighbors and family that he was going to get one.
I doubt very much that a kid would talk to you about his parents behavior. Why would they?
what a crazy parent demanding a baseball scholarship, hard to believe 
Try to remember it is to help their kids future, not to have something to brag to other parents about. Sadly many parents have not gotten that.
Try to remember it is to help their kids future, not to have something to brag to other parents about. Sadly many parents have not gotten that.
It seems today that some parents feel that scholarships are all over the place. Well they are not. And spending money for lessons and travel teams and showcases is the magic pill. As a teacher and coach for many years there is more money available through academics than athletics.
.
While it is not exclusively the case This is what I see way too often.....
Baby boomer parents with...
trophy careers,
trophy cars,
trophy houses,
trophy vacations,
trophy spouses,
trophy friends,
...looking for the next venue to compete, achieve, and win
The most natural and emotional and most important competition of their lives becomes their kids sports careers. And the best way for parents who are used to keeping score and judging status by numbers and titles and awards is the golden fleece of the scholarship. Anything less is often, and mistakenly considered a failure.
As a result....they spend incredible money and time - which may not be all bad. Some however take it to insane levels in their quest, and lose their perspective.
Kids are no fools. While most enjoy and appreciate, and value the opportunity, they cannot help but feel the heat. The money, the time, the emotional energy that can be comitted is too large for kids not to be aware of.
The tipping point where the comittment and pressure become too large is different for every family. The key IMO is to stay aware of when that point is reached.
Ultimately the bigger goal should be to teach life skills through sport.
While it is not exclusively the case This is what I see way too often.....
Baby boomer parents with...
trophy careers,
trophy cars,
trophy houses,
trophy vacations,
trophy spouses,
trophy friends,
...looking for the next venue to compete, achieve, and win
The most natural and emotional and most important competition of their lives becomes their kids sports careers. And the best way for parents who are used to keeping score and judging status by numbers and titles and awards is the golden fleece of the scholarship. Anything less is often, and mistakenly considered a failure.
As a result....they spend incredible money and time - which may not be all bad. Some however take it to insane levels in their quest, and lose their perspective.
Kids are no fools. While most enjoy and appreciate, and value the opportunity, they cannot help but feel the heat. The money, the time, the emotional energy that can be comitted is too large for kids not to be aware of.
The tipping point where the comittment and pressure become too large is different for every family. The key IMO is to stay aware of when that point is reached.
Ultimately the bigger goal should be to teach life skills through sport.
Observer,
Agree with you.
I also think there are three secondary goals.
1) If you can touch it - catch it.
2) Hit the ball hard into the gaps.
3) Run like a wild dog.
Agree with you.
I also think there are three secondary goals.
1) If you can touch it - catch it.
2) Hit the ball hard into the gaps.
3) Run like a wild dog.
TRhit, Dibble, Will, observer44 : You're all correct. Thank God that academics still holds sway when issuing scholarships.
Imagine if it were reversed. Try motivating an ATHLETE/student to do well with his studies when the carrot is on the baseball field and not in the classroom.
I'm grateful that our neighbors kids don't play baseball. No need to keep up in that department!
Imagine if it were reversed. Try motivating an ATHLETE/student to do well with his studies when the carrot is on the baseball field and not in the classroom.
I'm grateful that our neighbors kids don't play baseball. No need to keep up in that department!
Any parent who is putting pressure on a kid to get a baseball scholarship to fund the entirety of their kid's education hasn't spent enough time on this site! Unfortunately, while football gives out enough to have full scholarships cover the 1st through 4th stringers at every offensive and defensive position, baseball doesn't have enough to give full rides to a starting 8 plus a 4 man rotation.
We spend the time and money and volunteer hours for baseball because my son wants to play and play at the highest level he can for as long as he can. Our family started college research early because my son wants to find a college where he can get the education he wants and play baseball. Our primary question in evaluating the schools is "If he stopped playing baseball tomorrow, would he still want to be at this school?" If the answer is no, move to the next school.
We spend the time and money and volunteer hours for baseball because my son wants to play and play at the highest level he can for as long as he can. Our family started college research early because my son wants to find a college where he can get the education he wants and play baseball. Our primary question in evaluating the schools is "If he stopped playing baseball tomorrow, would he still want to be at this school?" If the answer is no, move to the next school.
itsinthegame : Let's see if your goals apply to an old dad like me...
1) If you can touch it - catch it. This rules out my toes!
2) Hit the ball hard into the gaps. With the gaps in my memory there's no way I would ever find that ball!
3) Run like a wild dog. Perhaps 'run like a leaky toilet tank' and annoying at that!
It's a young man's game...Thank God!
1) If you can touch it - catch it. This rules out my toes!
2) Hit the ball hard into the gaps. With the gaps in my memory there's no way I would ever find that ball!
3) Run like a wild dog. Perhaps 'run like a leaky toilet tank' and annoying at that!
It's a young man's game...Thank God!
gotwood4sale,
Aint that the truth!
IMO - Scholarships are a nice byproduct of the youth game - if you are fortunate enough to get one.
But nothing IMO is as good as watching your kid (or kids) play the game like they love it.
Aint that the truth!
IMO - Scholarships are a nice byproduct of the youth game - if you are fortunate enough to get one.
But nothing IMO is as good as watching your kid (or kids) play the game like they love it.
itsinthegame : Amen.
Parents need to realize first that the focus should be on academics, that will get you more college dollars in the long run than any athletic scholarship.
The athletic $$ is just the icing on the cake.
So if your child tells you he/she has to study for a really big test and has a big game/competition the same night, make sure they understand what their priorities should be.
Being through it all, I can tell you this is the best advice that can be given.
The athletic $$ is just the icing on the cake.
So if your child tells you he/she has to study for a really big test and has a big game/competition the same night, make sure they understand what their priorities should be.
Being through it all, I can tell you this is the best advice that can be given.
TPM : Thanks for your post. I think I'll call my freshman ballplayer and have him read this thread.
Sharing knowledge and wisdom is what this site is all about.
Sharing knowledge and wisdom is what this site is all about.