THOUGHTS ON THE ATHLETIC MESS by Coach Jim Massaro
We are bombarded day after day, story after story, about the sad shape of sports in America. Where has all the fair play gone? Was it ever really there? The athlete of today is without a doubt bigger, stronger and faster than in years past. But the day of the good ol' boy playing sports is over. Big money has taken over. When I was growing up I had Mickey Mantle to idolize. He was someone you could count on to be on your team every year. Now with free agency the players are on different teams almost yearly. It's the American way; it's their right to go after those big contracts. Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Let's take a look at what should be the most innocent of the sports realm, children's sports programs. What has happened to us as a society that has resulted in our putting the emphasis on winning and not on learning the basic fundamentals of the game? You know ... having fun, learning the proper techniques of catching the ball, hitting or kicking the ball. It's a common occurrence for the parents to carry on like a bunch of buffoons after every pitch, or every call by the umpire. What kind of example is being painted for the kids? What about the violent parents, the ones who attack the umpires? At a senior league baseball game I was coaching, one of the opposing players was called out on three straight pitches. Well, his mom went nuts. She didn't stop her mouth all game. I mean, she was all over the umpire, a man who was volunteering his time to the kids and the league. After the game I was talking to the ump when out of nowhere this "Mom" climbed over my back and started throwing punches at the ump.
What a proud day for that young athlete. And we've all heard of the coaches also attacking the umps. The stories go on and on. I normally call these leagues the No Fun Leagues!
A word to all parents: allow your kids the pleasure of the game. Let them have their fun because let's face it, not all kids will be going to the pros. Let them enjoy their childhood sports. This is what memories are made of. Hey! I've got a good idea: why don't we build a moat around the field to keep the parents at safe distance so the kids can have some fun and not have to worry about their embarrassing parents with their public displays.
Let's take a look at high school sports. At least at this level we can start to see less parent intervention. Maybe they feel that the coaching or the officiating is at a higher level. Or they could also believe that by keeping their mouths shut they won't jeopardize their child's high school career and lose out at a shot at an exclusive college scholarship. One of my main concerns in high school sports is the use of steroids. Too many times you look at a kid and have to think, no way did he get like that by just working out. I coach in the public school system and too many times you hear the rumors about the Catholic school system sports program. I always hear from the kids about how the juice flows over there. I have no personal knowledge of this myself, but by looking at some of the kids and being in the strength game as long as I have, it certainly makes me wonder. Again, let's get back to what is right by teaching them how to be the very best at what they do, through the proper means. Don't turn a cold shoulder just to win games. These days, throughout high school sports you hear that the numbers are down. Did the kids get lazy or has all the fun been taken out of the game for them?
Now, let's get to the meat and potatoes: the pros. Here is where it gets real ugly. The athletes are making millions of dollars and not accepting the title of role model. Though it may just be a handful I'm talking about, it has put a black spot on professional sports. Drugs are definitely a part of our society, but pro sports needs to be more proactive in cleaning up the mess. A lifetime ban should mean a lifetime. How many times do we have to read in the paper that so and so was picked up with an illegal gun? Too many of our athletes today are carrying weapons. What's going on? A high-priced lawyer can get you out of anything but what message is being sent to all of those who look up to these sports figures? Regardless of how they feel, once you reach the status of superstar you begin to wear a new hat and that is the one of role model. It may not be what you want, but if you look back throughout the history of sports, it is a role that was always given to the star.
Sometimes I wonder if all the abuse that young athletes got from the grownups as they made their way through the sports programs has anything to do with their behavior as older athletes. The bottom line: parents need to behave themselves during game time, steroid use should not be tolerated, gangsters should not be drafted into pro sports, true sportsmanship needs to be reinforced. I hope someone much smarter than me is working on these problems and will restore the glory and luster to our once great American pastime and will allow the young athletes to shine on the field and not be tarnished off the field.