Please - One Season: One Team
By Fred Northup

Some of the biggest problems are caused by kids trying to do too many things. Piano lessons, scouting, and dance are among the afternoon activities that compete with schoolwork for a young person’s time. Even more disturbing are those kids who attempt to play on two teams at the same time, such as their school team and a club team. It’s a form of greed.

The Code says, “I will put team goals ahead of personal goals.”  Simply stated, this means that a person will always put the interests of the team ahead of their own desires or wishes. It means that if a person commits to playing on a team that person will be there for every practice and every game, unless injured or sick. Another part of the Code says, “I will try to develop my skills to the best of my ability.” This cannot be done if an athlete is not able to find time to practice because of too many commitments.

Being a part of a team is a privilege, because an athlete has the opportunity to share in the melding and development of many talents. Another team may want that athlete because it helps their chances of “winning,” and may be willing to allow the athlete just to come to games and occasional practices. This teaches the wrong values.  Winning is not the only thing. In fact, it is not the most important thing. The real winning comes not just from the game, but also from the daily opportunity to play and grow with others as a team, to develop one’s skills, and then finally to compete against a worthy opponent. Part of growing up is learning that we can’t eat all the desserts on the menu. Our kids and many of our parents need to learn this. We have to learn to choose.