Volunteers Put Sports Programs Together

I am a parent in the Roslyn community and for the past 10 years I have been involved in almost all sports offered to Roslyn community children. While I understand that valid complaints about politics, coaching, and lack of organization are well founded, what must not be lost sight of is that these sports are put together by volunteers, giving their time and effort.

I have coached my son's Little League team and recently became a member of the Roslyn Little League Board of Directors. I have come to realize the amount of work which goes into keeping this program running properly and efficiently, and to continuing the growth and development of every aspect of Little League. I have observed that making sure the children are having fun is stressed more than anything else. The coaches are not paid professionals, they are parents doing the best they can so that each child can participate, learn, and enjoy him or herself. When you have 1,200 children and their parents participating, inevitably there will be time conflicts, problems with which children are on which teams, and parents and coaches not seeing eye to eye on every issue. However, it is the end result that is important, not that the end of the year party was not planned like some Roslyn dinner party, but that the effort is there!

I have also coached booster basketball for three years. The teams are put together as fairly as possible. The first year is called a "learn and play" year. During the game the referees call time out to explain a foul or violation such as walking or double dribbling, and the ball is given back to the same team which committed the infraction. In fact, score is not kept for the first seven or eight games. After half the season is over, score is kept, and some type of playoff elimination is held. No trophies are awarded, and throughout the year the stress is on learning and having fun, not keeping score and winning. After the first year there is a draft so that each coach picks his or her own team. There are two tryout sessions before the draft so that all the children may be rated. While there will always be complaints, i.e. lack of practice time, closed gyms without sufficient notice, late or no referees and uneven teams, everyone involved is doing the best job they are capable of doing. Regardless of these complaints, which I do not despute do occur, I estimate that if you asked the children if they enjoy booster basketball, a significant majority would respond in the affirmative. Proof of this may be seen in the number of children who show up early for their games so they can watch other games in progress. Many children then stay to watch the next game. It is there that one can get an understanding of how much the children really enjoy themselves despite the "lack of organization." The children cheer for their friends, enjoy the competition, and develop an enormous amount of camaraderie.

Instead of focusing only on the negatives, parents who have children who participate in any sports program should be more tolerant of things which may go wrong, and appreciate the amount of effort it takes by many volunteers to bring these programs about.

One last comment, I resent your reference to "complain too loudly to this inbred, highly political group of men," as I am a woman!

A Concerned Parent For Other Reasons

A Successful Soccer League

This letter is a response to the "Lack of Commitment In Local Sports Programs, Roslyn News, Jan. 1) "A Concerned Parent" claims they are trying to stimulate a discussion.

It should be noted that I personally don't care for organized sports, and find America's (and perhaps the world's) fascination with them appalling; including the way they dominate educational institutions, and our political interests, such as bonds for professional stadiums and sports arenas.

However, lucky for me, my son has had only a fantastic time with the Albertson Soccer League. He's played for three years, and has been with a different coach each year. Yet, he has had the same wonderful experiences each year. The cost was about $125, which is relatively cheap for any program, anywhere. Not only are there weekly volunteer coached games, but professionally taught classes. Skipping the fact that the classes are to teach soccer, they are a "party" amongst themselves. Anyone who has seen large groups of children playing in most situations can marvel at how well the soccer instructors keep the children interested with game variations, and keep the kids under control. The volunteer coaches also organize a few extra practices.

Some hints to "concerned." I've seen coaches that didn't have good teams watch successful teams to get ideas. Eight kids showing up instead of 12 is an advantage, as your child gets more playing time! Instead of carrying this large chip on your shoulder, help out the commissioners by forwarding the school information that you get, so they can establish better schedules. After a few years of the help you will be providing, you too will be part of that highly political group.

Now let me tell you what really "T's me off" about the sport programs. It's how parents and other observers are allowed to come on to the fields and playgrounds, and smoke their big stinky cigarettes and cigars, especially when we're all out there exercising; and getting fresh air and sunshine to improve our health.

Russell Todd