2022/09/05 - Mayor's Column: Youth Sports
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
Most of us would agree that youth sports activities are good for our children to be involved with. When children are active in sports, they not only get physical exercise, but they also develop and learn:
- Physical Fitness Skills
- Friendships and Social Skills
- Teamwork and How to Work with Others
- Self-Confidence
- Work Ethic
- Time Management
- Fair Play and Respect
- Responsibility
- And So Much More
So, what do they learn when relatives start cussing and using foul language toward the umpires, other team or other parents when something doesn’t go their way? What do they learn or how do they feel when their relatives are asked to leave a game because of bad behavior? Did you really help your student lean sportsmanship or respect for others? Did you make them feel proud?
I volunteered for 23 years to coach baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer. Years ago, there was never a shortage of volunteer coaches. But now communities are finding it difficult to find parents that want to coach. In many cases they must pay parents to come out and coach their children and others. Is part of this because of the abuse and criticism that they receive when trying to help our youth enjoy sports?
Why is it getting harder to find umpires to officiate youth and school sports? Is it because they can choose not to be abused and know what communities or schools where they are not treated with so much disrespect? Remember some of the umpires in youth sports are youths themselves.
Can mistakes be made? Sure, they can. But who of us have never made an error or a mistake?
I would like to ask our parents and relatives to PLEASE help the students enjoy their sports, help them learn good sportsmanship and learn that not everything is always going to go the way we want to see it go in life. They may learn that they can overcome obstacles or difficulties if we let them.
We have some of the best sports venues, and some very good sports teams. Can we as fans of youth sports also become the best in demonstrating restraint and good sportsmanship?
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open.