Keeping stats is really more for the benefit of the parents than it is for the children. Again, it's all part of living vicariously through one's child. First and foremost, playing sports keeps your child physically fit in a nation that is fighting obesity. Having our kids play sports is just essential for their long term health. It's also fun.
Kids enjoy going to play in a game and practicing with their friends.
And, through sports, most of our children are introduced to the ups and downs that life will bring them down the road. They experience the joy of winning, the pain of defeat, the self-esteem of working towards certain goals, and the fun of playing something they can see they're getting better at. Call the NCAA in Indianapolis and ask them for their latest statistics on how many collegiate athletes go to the professional ranks. In addition, go through your schools graduating classes for the last 5 to 7 years. Write down how many kids played a sport.