SANDLOT SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS

Why Should We Act Like "Grown-Ups?"

I recently posted the following commentary on Facebook, but I think it deserves a longer lasting home. I must say, that the "adult" behavior during the County Championship Game was a much needed improvement. Go Forest!!!

The following thoughts and comments are my own and are not directed at any particular individual, group or team. It is directed at ALL OF US!

Competition and even rivalries can be good things for young athletes. They learn the value of the hard work required to succeed. They learn how to win and lose. They learn that a goal is needed to direct them toward success. Both sides of a rivalry usually end up getting better in the long run. Players and teams push each other (i.e. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird). I don’t have a problem with that.

Young athletes are supported by parents, extended family and friends. We all want the best for our kids. We want to see them do well, improve their skills and succeed in sports and in life. However; off the field grudges, threats, accusations and plain ol’ pissing matches among the adults can and will eventually carry over to the kids and become harmful to the community.

How is nonsense like this going to work out when in a few short years many of the local kids that stand on opposite sidelines now, will be on the same team? What’s going to happen when families that now stand on opposites sides poking each other with voodoo dolls need to stand shoulder to shoulder on one side for one team?

I am not going to say we need to “Grow Up” or act like “Adults.” I think, just the opposite needs to happen!

Have you ever paid attention to young athletes after a big competition? We often see the “Thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” on their faces. They shake hands with one side beaming with pride and the other side with tears running down their cheeks, but both sides will learn something from the experience. Now, watch a little longer! Many times, within 20-30 minutes, the two sides start to merge. The heated battle becomes a game of tag or touch football and the end of the field or gymnasium. These same kids will get up and go to school together come Monday. They will probably sit at the lunch table together and play during recess. They might even have sleepovers at each other’s houses.

Look at the “grown-ups” not speaking to each other; leaving the field of play angry, maybe even expressing frustration on a social media site. “Adult” friendships and relationships become strained or even destroyed.

Is this what is best for the kids? Do we really want them to “grow up?” All of us need to stop acting like “grown-ups” and start acting like the kids. I think we can ALL learn something from them!

Welcome!

Since the very beginning of this football season, Coach Ellis has talked to the kids about being on "The Quest!" It seems that would imply that there was a final destination and goal. The Sandlot Superbowl is where the team is headed this weekend, but the journey has, in my mind, been far greater and memorable than the final destination.

I will be posting highlight videos from the games and other memories from the season on this page over the next few days and weeks to come. This team, this family of players, coaches and parents will hopefully look back on this short period of time in our lives as a truly great season. 

Stay tuned for more to come!