There are those, of course, who decry this competitive urge. Some believe that competition is harmful to children and that it should not be part of any youth sporting event. I would disagree. Somewhere after age 6 or 7, most children start to become competitive in their interactions with other children, a fact that is readily apparent on the playground where no structured game is taking place. Kids, especially boys, run, push, shove, wrestle and romp to see who is the fastest or strongest.
Competition is a part of nature, it is part of being human.
What's challenging about youth sports to find a way to allow that competitive spirit to emerge in the right atmosphere and to channel it in a productive way. That's often difficult for any parent and for those who attempt to coach youth in sporting events. But of all the youth sports, baseball offers perhaps the most advantageous atmosphere for kindling this competitive nature. This baseball season, I've seen kids who could hit but not field, throw but not run. Putting all those kids together on a team with their individual strengths and weaknesses helps each to grow in their physical abilities.