Vargas 1 Karina Vargas Mr.

Newman English 101: Rhetoric 25 November 2013 Play Ball Sports have been an important part of many peoples lives for years. A few years ago, if someone were to be asked if they played any sport before the answer would most likely be a yes, but only a few will say they took the sport into a more competitive matter. Today, that perspective has changed drastically, kids are now starting at a young age playing more than two sports and getting into competitive travel or club teams. The sports world is booming with so many athletes taking it to another level with extra training and workout just to pursue their dreams of playing in college or becoming a professional athlete. Some argue that participating in a sport can teach valuable lessons to children, while others may argue that sports are too competitive and cause too many injuries. Even though being indulged in many sports can become too serious for people and can take a toll on young kids bodies, they can teach valuable life lessons to children that they cant find anywhere else. Although there are risks being taken to play sports, the life lessons learned from them are unattainable anywhere else. Both Stephen D. Keener, the president and chief executive of Little League International, and Jim Thompson, founder and chief executive of the nonprofit Positive Coaching Alliance, agree that sports can enhance childrens life skills for later in life. Keener believes, While striving to win, children learn about

Vargas 2 teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship, all of which can contribute to their development as solid citizens, while also saying that in organized team sports, children work together to accomplish a task and learn from their mistakes. Thompson agrees with Keener by suggesting that sports provide an endless procession of teachable moments, which can be obscured by a win-at-all cost mentality. Striving to win and accepting failure is one of those many teachable moments Thompson is talking about that a child cannot learn anywhere else. Along with the win-at-all cost mentality, Coaches who strive to win while teaching life lessons through sports, let their athletes know they believe in them and challenge them to become their best selves representing the ideal in sports leadership(Thompson). Playing a sport also teaches children leadership according to Thompson by learning teamwork and responsibility. All of these lessons can be learned through playing a sport, but playing competitively can have setbacks. As a child playing a sport, they know that they are at risk of getting an injury at any time. David Geier, a chairman of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Public Relations Committee, agrees that sports do promote mental wellbeing and social development for children, but says, The injuries that used to only occur in professionals, like a torn elbow ligament, now afflict school-aged athletes. He believe that kids are not capable of playing only one sport for years on end because it gives them overuse injuries that they have to deal with for the rest of their lives. With the injuries, Geier also argues, Kids train year and compete year-round, participating in showcase events for scouts despite games and practices all week. Even though kids are putting in a lot of time and effort to get better at a sport, which can cause injuries, the only way to play at a high level is to put in the extra time. Mark Hyman, an assistant professor at

Vargas 3 George Washington University and an author of three books about youth sports, agrees with Geier. Hyman adds that the most talented players sometimes are forced to quit because theyve been playing competitively for so long that theyre hurt-half of reported youth sports injuries are caused by simple overuse. Hyman also brings up, We know why kids drop out of youth sports, too. Theyre not having fun anymore. Theyre weary of the pressure. Theyre tired of being yelled at by coaches and, sometimes, by their parents, and sometimes being too involved in sports can take all the enjoyment out of it. Although the competitive factor in sports along with injuries is at an all time high, the outcome of playing a sport is worth it. People focused on injuries caused by playing a sport can take away the true meaning of what they can do for children. Geier and Hyman claim that injuries are becoming more common, but I have mixed feelings with that. On the one hand, I agree that overuse injuries are becoming a problem. On the other hand, I still insist that if a child eats right, exercises, and stretches, those chances of injuries can be reduced. The working world looks for people to standout and participating in a sport can give a person that advantage because it teaches kids at a young age something you cant learn elsewhere. According to Nicole M. LaVoi, is the associate director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sports, sports achieve better success rates in the classroom and increase the likelihood of attending college, honing the ability to compete and perform under pressure. This helps to explain why female athletes earn more and achieve in the marketplace as adults this doesnt only apply to women, but to men as well. Despite injuries, sports give children an edge over people who havent played in an organized sport in the future. Not only does sports teach life lessons, but it also teaches

Vargas 4 respect and sportsmanship. When people watch a game they see a pitcher shaking the hand of a batter he just hit with a pitch, or a third basemen giving a high five to an opposing player as he rounds the bases after a homerun (Keener). Injuries can sometimes be something people cant control and it shouldnt be a deciding factor of whether a parent should put their kid in a sports team or not. Parents want to help their children to be the best person they can be and to be different from the rest. By participating in an organized sport a parent can give the child an edge over everyone else. Playing a competitive sport can teach kids leadership, responsibility, and respect. Competitive sports enhance childrens life skills and gives them life lessons they cant attain anywhere else.

Vargas 5 Works Cited Geier, David. "Give Children Variety and Time Off." Room for Debate. New York Times Company, 11 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. Hyman, Mark. "Keep Sports Fun." Room for Debate. New York Times Company, 11 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. Keener, Stephen D. "Sports Teach Kids Valuable Lessons." Room for Debate. New York Times Company, 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. LaVoi, Nicole M. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Too." Room for Debate. New York Times Company, 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. Thompson, Jim. "Parents Should Focus on the Big Picture." Room for Debate. New York Times Company, 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.