Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
25°  H- 49%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
Friday November 21, 2008
 Make us your homepage!
 

Daily Digest


Ever think you'd see that price again? This was taken in Stamford but there are reports some North Adams' gas stations are that low as well.
Like to Write?
Passionate about local sports? Into the environment? Obsessive about local meetings?

Let your neighbors know what's going on in Berkshire County! iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more.
Got Flu?
Track its spread through Google!
How much is heating oil this week?
How to get heating help
Win a restaurant gift certificate.
Need to contact iBerkshires? Here's how.

Obituaries

Peter G. Arlos, 82
Former Pittsfield councilor
Helen N. Renner, 93
Former Pownal librarian
Eunice J. Schleif, 76
Retired state child-care director
Tiffany E. Byrne, 14
Mildred V. Faustini, 87
Martha M. Muir, 62
School Committee member
More obituaries

What's Playing


It's teen vampire love in the new film "Twilight," based on the best-selling series by Stephenie Meyer.
Movie schedules and times

Sales Fliers

 
 

Columnists

That's Life

Dealing with Dirty Laundry

Independent Investor

Economy Will Dictate Agenda, Not President

Pick of the Week

Staind

Sports 'N Stuff

NFL Midseason Report Card



Other Stuff


Bush Dissed by G20
Buy 1/Get 1 Sends Laptops to Developing Countries
Berkshire Hathaway Posts Big Drop
State Police Hit By Budget Crunch
The president-elect's new Web site
www.change.gov

 Search: 
 for    

Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

Sports N' Stuff: Youth Sports - Let Them Play

By Brian Flagg - October 29, 2007

As I sat Sunday watching my son's football game, I realized how much youth sports means to a young child.

That is not to say I have never thought it before. Sunday, however, I thought it from a dad's point of view rather than as a coach. I have coached kids for more than 15 years now and I have seen the role it plays in their lives.

Some play because they want to; others because their parents signed them up to give them something to do. Many play because their friends are there and that's where they can hang with them and have some fun. Whatever the reason, it plays a significant role in their development.

From a coach's perspective, I have seen girls (I have coached girls' basketball and softball for 16 years now) go from shy and reserved to being outgoing and confident. The little light comes on and you can see that they "get it." You can see their entire expression change as well as the way they carry themselves and interact with others. They understand now that if they put their minds to it they can achieve it. If they work hard enough their work pays off and they can do what they never thought possible. Then the whole game changes and it becomes even more important to them.

Well, Sunday I saw it from a dad's point of view.

My son is 10 and has never been a kid who was very interested in sports. Last season was his first and, while he gave it an honest effort, he didn't walk away from the season knowing he wanted to keep playing. This season has been a little different. He moved up to the next division, called Juniors here, which is 10 years old through 12 or 13, I think.

He wasn't a "first teamer" and saw playing time mostly when the team had a victory seemingly in hand. About two weeks ago, he really started enjoying it more and has even sat and watched the Bronco games with me and understood what was happening. Then, Sunday, his light came on.

With the team up by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, he got put in at defensive end, which is now his favorite position. On three consecutive plays he had clean shots at the quarterback and he took them. Though he didn't actually sack the QB, he did disrupt all three plays and got his team the ball back. On the offensive side, he was placed in the tight-end position and made the block that resulted in a two-point conversion following a touchdown.

He was so excited with his play that he has talked about it all day and is now convinced that this is his game. He is GOING to keep playing and GOING to keep getting better. He knows he can do it and wants to do it - not for me or his mom - but because HE wants to!

I am happier for him than I have ever been before. I am proud of him because he stuck through it and found something that he can make his own.

Parents - get your kids involved in sports. Let them play. They may just surprise you and themselves.

Brian Flagg was co-host of "The Sports Page" on local public access stations for nearly five years. The North Adams resident has been coaching girls' basketball and softball for 16 years. His column appears every other Monday.


Graphic by Designed to a T
Your Comments
Post Comment
No Comments


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
sabor-restaurante.com
www.ediblearrangements.com
mtwilliamsgreenhouses.com
www.berkshireads.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Borrow Movies
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Weddings | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 251 ms