Every organization that sponsors youth sports activities extends tendrils that reach into the future, providing for their participants some of the building blocks that can lead to a strong personal foundation as they reach adulthood. Marin Girls Softball in California represents the best that youth sports has to offer,
Naysayers of youth sports point to overaggressive coaches who have their teams run up scores against overmatched opponents. They cite out-of-conrol parents who scream at officials, coaches, the opposing team, members of their children’s team and, sometimes, even their own children. Their criticism consists of statements that life is not about who scored the most points, who won by the biggest margin, or whose negativity was heard over the satisfaction and contentment of the majority. (Continued below.)
Catholic Youth Organization programs offer bountiful opportunities for youth to test their skill and interest in a variety of activities. The basketball program at St. Mary’s of Manhasset, on Long Island, New York, epitomizes the best of these programs.
St. Mary’s offers playing opportunities for youth from the third grade through high school. Players can participate in intramural programs or try to qualify for a travel team that will play their counterparts from other CYO organizations. Part of the Nassau and Suffolk Archdiocese, St. Mary’s provides basketball opportunities for more than 900 youths. It’s how they do it that makes St. Mary’s special. (Continued below.)
