As a youth sports coach and parent, I've learned -- sometimes the hard way -- that the more kids enjoy youth sports the better. To that end, here are five of my New Year's resolutions to help my kids and the players I coach have fun -- and hopefully learn something in the process.

1. Be Flexible -- In coaching my daughter's softball team last spring, I had my practice activities planned in advance, but found that some drills were more popular or successful than others, and I adjusted practice based on this. Coaches also need parents to help perform various tasks, often will little or no advance notice, and this is a good way to help support your child's sporting interests.

2. Play More and Teach Less -- My tendency is to teach my kids the fundamentals every chance I get. I've found that they quickly get tired of this, and want to stop playing as a result. When we just go out and play basketball, throw football or hit baseballs and softballs without the teaching, my kids have much more fun, and I realized that I do as well.

3. Ask Your Kids/Players for Advice -- When coaching a team, involve your kids/players in the decision-making process. We all like to be asked, and when you incorporate the kids' ideas for a practice drill, for example, you'll find they are much more interested and motivated and have more fun than if you had them do something they are not excited about.

4. Set a Good Example -- There are more and more stories every year about sports parents behaving badly. Think about what you say to your kids, other players and coaches, and how you would like it if someone said those things to or about you. Your kids and players will learn a lot about sportsmanship from you -- good or bad -- so keep this in mind and be as supportive and positive as you can. If you need to talk to your child about ways he/she can improve on the field, do so when others aren't around.

5. Watch Sporting Events With Your Kids -- I watched a lot of sports with my father growing up, and it's a passion we still share. Take your kids to local sporting events or invite them to watch games with you on TV. It's a good way to both spend more time with your kids and get them interested in sports -- especially those you enjoy playing and want them to learn.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:21 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

December 13 was a very bad day for Major League Baseball. That was the day the long awaited investigation on performance-enhancing drug use in baseball conducted by former senator George Mitchell was released.

The Mitchell Report named more than 90 current or former players as having used steroids, human growth hormone or other drugs that can improve a player's performance while putting their health at risk. These players included Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Miguel Tejada.

The report concluded that what's come to be known as the "steroid era" in baseball was widespread, and that baseball has done little until recently to address this issue seriously. The problems this raises are too numerous to count, but here are some of the main ones:

Any records or accomplishments established over the last 10-15 years or so are suspect. There's been much talk about how Barry Bonds' home run record should have an asterisk, but given all the names on the Mitchell Report, and pitchers as well as position players, you can make the case that all baseball statistics during the last decade are tainted.

Major league baseball players are setting a terrible example for young players and other kids who look up to them. The message here is that many players are looking for any edge they can find, whether legal or not or potentially harmful to their bodies, to perform at as high a level as possible. That's not exactly the message we want our kids to hear, and is a big reason steroid use among youth athletes is on the rise.

Will we ever trust baseball again? Sure, fans will continue to go to games, but people also go to professional wrestling even though they know it's fake. Baseball needs to continue to strengthen its drug policy so there is a no tolerance policy before people will believe future records are genuine and the game is on the level.

The good news is that this is a great teaching opportunity for youth sports parents and coaches, a chance to educate our kids and players about the health dangers of these drugs before it's too late.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)