Pop Warner Football

Re “Football Player, 15, Told He’s Too Old to Play--by Two Days,” Sept. 22:

My child is small in stature and was unable to meet the minimum weight requirements for Pop Warner football. He was fortunate enough to play flag football and was on the winning team for the city championship in the L.A. Parks and Recreation League.

This year he was excited because a weight gain would allow him to play tackle football (his dream). Unfortunately, when I read the sign-up papers, the cut-off date for age was July 31, 1994. His birthday is July 26. (Gee, only four days.) I inquired at sign-up time if extenunating circumstances, i.e., his never being big enough to play before, and at least having one season to realize his dream, could waive the four days. I was told there are no variances allowed.

I understand many rules are “made to be broken” but where our youth are concerned, I think it is the parents’ responsibility to teach children to abide by the rules and assist them in dealing with the trauma when things don’t go in their favor.

ROBERT SHAY

La Verne