My daughter's softball league starts each season with a series of several clinics, or league-wide practices. Our clinic yesterday was especially meaningful for the girls, as it was led by the coach of an area high school softball team and his players.

The players came in uniform and worked for two hours with the girls in the league -- who range from second through eighth grade -- on their fundamentals. The high school players clearly took this seriously, as most team members were there, and they really seemed to enjoy working with the younger players.

The younger girls, for their part, were very excited to be working with girls who actually played at the high school level. It's one thing to be working with league coaches, who are dads of players in the league, and quite another to work with girls who have already achieved something many of the younger players aspire to.

The clinic went very well, as the younger players were very focused and seemed to know how special it was to work with high school players.

It's important for kids to have positive role models no matter what their interests. Having these role models help and encourage kids gives them a positive outlook on the game, while at the same time showing them what's possible if they continue to work hard at their game.

All in all, it was a great experience, and one the girls young and old are not likely to soon forget.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 08:24 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

When it comes to watching sports, regular-season NBA and NHL games are not high on my priority list. Playoff time, however, is a different story.

A big part of the difference is that there is so much more on the line during the playoffs, and that the intensity is so much higher. Living in the Washington, D.C. area, I've been pulling for the Washington Capitals. Seeing them overcome a two-goal, third-period deficit  to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in the first game of the series was as thrilling as seeing the Capitals lose last night in double overtime to go down 3 games to 1 was deflating.

In the NBA, I can't wait to watch the Phoenix Suns-San Antonio Spurs first-round series. Both teams are contenders to win the NBA title, but one won't advance to the second round. All eight Western Conference playoff teams won at least 50 games, a remarkable achievement, but the team that emerges from the West will probably have to face either Boston or Detroit from the East, which should be an entertaining matchup.

The playoffs are the time when the stars seem to rise to the challenge, and it's those special moments that I don't want to miss.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 08:35 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My kids have gotten very into playing basketball. So when their basketball clinics ended in early March, I asked them if they wanted to keep playing. They did, so I began to look into options.

After doing some research, I discovered that the school gyms in our area could be rented at a very affordable rate. The kids really liked this idea, especially when I said they could invite some of their friends to join us.

We've now had two such sessions -- every Monday night -- and the kids have had a great time. The format has been very unstructured, with the kids setting the agenda. Both weeks we've ended up playing games with teams consisting of parents and kids. Everyone seems to get a lot out of this, and the kids are learning things about the game in a relaxed setting. They also are eager to go each week, which is always a good indication of their interest level.

The key to me is the low-key approach. Kids today have much more structure in their lives than I did at that age, and this weekly gym rental gives them a chance to have fun with their friends and parents while getting exercise at the same time. It's a win-win situation for all, and one I hope continues for some time.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:54 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)