Soccer day!

Last saturday, my 5-years old daughter had her last soccer game. She started playing this summer and playing is exactly the right word. A bunch of girls and boys with 2 different shirts color (I wonder why since they try to kick the balloon no matter who has it :-D) running and kicking the balloon up and down the field and across the posts of the goal. Usually the game score is 1 zillion to 1 zillion and one but nobody cares ;-)

Anyway, so last Saturday was the last game and the association made an happening by reuniting all kids under 8 at the same place. So we had something like 300 kids playing soccer on 10 to 12 different fields. And last Saturday, it was raining. And a bit chilly. But guess what, very few missed the event. Kids were all there playing in the mud and getting all wet and dirty and parents were all there with there umbrellas, cheering and putting there umbrellas above the kids on the bench until they replace the kids on the field. And after the game, there was free hot-dogs, chips, and beverages. And there was big inflated playgrounds and drawings. Nothing got cancelled despite the bad weather. And I said 'Wow, this is great". This is great because for most of the kids there, it was there first experience in an organized sport. Some where shy at the beginning, some didn't want to play, some were already 'made for sport' but on that last day, everyone was having fun and playing. And everyone got dirty and wet and these kids will remember that specific day when they will start another year. It's great that the organization didn't cancel, it's great that parents didn't decide to stay home, it's great because we have 300 hundreds more kids that will play sports, stay healthy, develop, and have gazoo fun.

And this is all what sports & kids is about :-)

 

Thanks coach!

A nice article that I found on Memories of a sports junkie a blog from Rob Gehring. Rob is also the owner of 10khits4unow.com. So let's share Rob's little leagues memories.
------------------

The dog days of August are here, and for Little League Baseball;

things are wrapping up. My son Jake has his awards picnic at

the end of the month....brings back some memories.

(Cue Field of dreams music.......fade away...............)



The year is 1977 and it is the spring time. As a 9 year, this was

my first exposure to organized baseball....though I had alot

of unorganized experience (more on that in a future Blog).

I guess I had no way to guage my skills (or lack of) until I

went for the tryout. Balls flew left, Balls flew right...........not many in

that old glove that wasn't even broken in correctly. As for the

hitting, I don't think that was too stellar either.........and I figured

it would be wait till next year to play. Well, the draft commensed

and I was to be notified what team I was on, if any. Hey, I was

just glad to get down to the field; for my mom wouldn't sign the

permission form for fear of me getting hurt....so Grandpap snuck

me down to the park. Not sure who ultimately signed that form ---

small details I guess. So, back to the phone call; or lack thereof.

I had my mom (who was going along, but protesting) call the head

of the league. Did he make it? The answer was......."Honey, everyone

gets picked!" So much for competition, but I'll take it. I made the

Braves, the coach said he liked my spunk. Not sure what that meant,

but I took that as well. Coach was the manifestation of everything

that Little League is supposed to be. He never yelled, was always

kind, and above all always found the right thing to say. Glass half

full ya know........like, "You did good fouling those balls off so

many times; good swing; forget that you struck out". Or, "Hit

it like you do when your Grandpap is pitching, like I saw when I

was going past your house the other day." Or, "Just like batting

practice, you remember, when the ball bounced twice before hitting

the fence." It wasn't about winning or losing, it was about self

esteem, and giving it your all. Win or Lose did you do your best?

Are you going to quit or keep working at it? Keep that positive

attitude! Words to live by in any realm. Well, in my fourth year

I made the All-Star Team. I never made the big leagues but

became a solid player. Thanks coach, couldn't have done it with

out you. Much of what you taught me has carried thru to this day.

Even more gratifying was watching my son's coach this year, who

really followed the same guidelines.....almost carbon copy of 28 years

ago. Be sure you thank your kids coach today.....real hero's

personified.



Rob