When sports psychologist Rick Wolff worked for the Cleveland Indians, he was surprised to discover that there were a large number of major league ball players who didn't allow their kids to get involved in Little League baseball. Instead, they encouraged their kids to skateboard, ski, or anything else to keep them from the unnecessary pressure placed on youth league baseball players. After all, it's only a game. . . Some go the full hundred yards in criticizing their children's teammates - and even their own children. I've watched young kids cower and teenagers become bitter in response.
Children learn from example.
I've had a few occasions to observe a high profile baseball coach who is a professing Christian lead his group of adolescent players. I am troubled by his use of profanity and verbal abuse of umpires. They certainly won't learn good sportsmanship or what it means to be Christlike. If we're going to scream anything, it should be words of praise, encouragement, and acceptance. In this day and age of increased activity, it's realistic to assume that most kids will spend some time during their childhood in a uniform participating in some kind of organized sport.