Something's been bothering me for a while. I've made friends with "everybody gets a trophy". Especially in young children's sports, but there is a ritual in Little League that is bothering me. "The Game Ball" Supposedly it is awarded on merit, based on who played the best for the team during that given game. Last fall, Will won the first game ball of the season that was given out on his team. He really did have an awesome game, and granted, he was standing in the "lucky spot" where the other team hit ALL their balls, but he caught them and got them to first base in good order. The next couple of games, he was bullied for going after balls that were coming to him by his own team mates because, clearly, in a league where everyone gets to bat and score, this is the only thing that sets performance apart...again, supposedly. Over the course of the season, it became apparent that although the coach tried to give the game ball to someone who had had an extraordinary game, eventually, everyone would get one. So, it didn't matter how hard they worked, if you had already gotten a ball, your time was over. It didn't matter how hard you didn't work, eventually you would "earn" one.
Fast foward to last week. Faith had a truly remarkable game, won, again, the first game ball that her team awarded for the season. Last night her team had a game, and again this AM. After the game last night, there was a little girl crying. The coach asked her dad what was wrong. Her Daddy said, "oh, she's unhappy that she didn't get the game ball. She's harder on herself than we are on her." I'm human, with at least one over achieving kid, feel for her etc. HOWEVER, guess who won the game ball at this AM's game? You got it.......the little girl that had a fit last night. What does this teach anyone who witnessed this affair? Now, I'm even more bothered.
So, move on to this PM. Will wins the game ball for his team. Did he have an extraordinary performance? no. It was just his turn. Is he happy? yes? Is he a little confused? Yes. Why? He knows he didn't have an extraordinary game. He knows it's not like last fall. It really just cheapens the whole experience for everyone. What's the answer? I don't know. They ARE only 5. Why don't they just call it what it is and say everyone will get a turn. Don't say it's based on performance, if it's not. Any helpful comments?
1 comment:
Ok...so here is my two cents worth. Considering I've been in this LL business for about 7 years now, I think I speak with some authority on this subject. You are right when you say that it diminishes the worthiness of the "award". And to make matters worse, it only GETS worse. Trophies are a perfect example. I will never forget the first season when I thought we had left the "game ball" idea behind and moved on to keeping track of wins/losses for the sake of "you get a trophy at the end of the season." What?!? A trophy? They ALL get trophies...every single team....every single player AND they are all the SAME!! OK...now that I've gotten that out of my system, here is the reality check. I learned that if we as parents want our kids to learn that hard work DOES pay off then we had to hijack the Little League. Well, at least we had to take back the true meaning of reward for hard work. Bo infiltrated the LL board, earned himself a darn good reputation and is now one of the first to be called every season to be a team manager. And what did Bo do with that valuable LL status? He stole back the meaning of the "game ball"!! Oh yes, of course they can go right on ahead and keep giving there ridiculous dust collecting trophies every season. BUT the game ball is OURS again to prove that effort, good attitude, hard work and determination will get you the recognition you deserve. And no, not every kid on the team gets that game ball. Bo carefully chooses the right player and the player "carefully" and proudly carries that game ball home with him/her! Tyler has trophies, medals, plaques and awards for baseball all collecting dust on a shelf or in the top of his closet. But his game balls? Well, that's a different story. They sit proudly and in a distinct position on his dresser. They don't collect dust because I catch him sometimes holding it while in his bed, reading the words written on it and remembering the moment with a content and proud smile on his face. They represent lessons to him in good sportsmanship, team commitment, determination and good ole hard work!! And believe me, when you are the coach's kid....it's even harder to earn that game ball!! ;-) So, I say let the LL have their silly little trophies because we choose to keep the game ball and ALL it represents!!
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