Keep Her in the Game

Involvement in softball, or any sport for that matter, can be a highly rewarding and memorable experience in a young person’s life. Unfortunately, many U.S. children are walking away from sports. The reasons for quitting are many but maybe the most regrettable excuse relates to what is known as the burnout factor.

According to Dr. Richard Stratton, an Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education at Virginia Tech, children participate in sports mainly to have fun, learn skills, develop fitness and because they enjoy the competition. Some of the reasons given for dropping out were the loss of interest, the fun of playing had disappeared, other non-sport interests gained importance, the coach played favorites and the pressure to win was too intense.

In the October 2004 issue of Reader’s Digest, there is an informative write-up called Game Over. In the article, the author, Marc Lerner, writes about the decline in sports due to burn out and exclusion based on ability. Burn out can occur when a particular sport’s schedule runs too long or when the activity extends throughout the year.

"When you play different sports, you use a variety of motor skills – jumping, running, twisting – that can transfer to a lot of sports," says Avery Faigenbaum, associate professor in exercise science at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Mr. Faigenbaum goes on to say, "There’s absolutely no evidence that says that if a [child] athlete plays just one sport that will guarantee success as a teen or adult" adding there’s actually more evidence that if they diversify they’ll play better.

So, what can you as parents do to keep your daughter involved in extracurricular activities such as softball? First, talk with your daughter. Ask her if she is feeling burnt out or wants to take a season off. Also, encourage her to play other sports. If your daughter really enjoys softball, have her try field hockey during the summer. Field hockey involves eye-and-hand coordination that coincides nicely with proper batting techniques. In the fall try soccer and/or dance – two activities that help to build strong leg muscles, a key component in pitching. Finally, a sport like skiing can help her develop quick decision making skills that can be incorporated into higher levels of softball, when the speed (pitching and fielding) of the game quickens and strategy becomes more important.  Please see the NYSA mission statement, which outlines what the organization hopes to accomplish when your daughter registers to play.

It used to be that the Red Sox were destined to break your heart. The real heartache, however, is seeing a young player drop out of softball (or any sport) because of burnout or other unwarranted actions that may take away the fun of participation. So keep your girl in the game – whatever game that may be. After all, sports were created to bring out the child in us – her participation should be what’s important and what will keep you both young inside.