Sports: Keep It Fun

Peter King’s analogy is right on the mark (“Hit or Miss, Remember to Get the Bat Off Your Shoulder,” June 7). Positive encouragement by both coach and parent, regardless of the player’s ability, will provide a lifetime of fond memories.

Some of my fondest memories growing up were playing youth sports. Maybe I was lucky, but I had some caring and giving coaches who coached with encouragement, which translated into fun. I have been fortunate to have coached youth sports for the past six years, both girls and boys, and I have tried to duplicate the same atmosphere I experienced. I have met some wonderful kids and parents over the years who realized early on that youth sports are games meant to be played with positive encouragement and fun for both player and parent. I can think of several instances where overbearing coaches and parents failed to grasp this concept and any fond memories were quickly replaced with a lasting nightmare.

R.J. Deakins

Temecula