Killing Raises Concerns About Youth Sports

Re “Ballplayer, 13, Allegedly Kills Boy With Bat at Palmdale Park,” April 14: It is tragic yet extremely ridiculous that a game of baseball could lead to the killing of a teenager. Of course everyone has the right to take pride in his team, but it should never escalate to the point where violence is involved. If a simple insult about losing a game could lead a young athlete to assault another with such malignance, youth sports has lost its true purpose.

Youth sports teams are supposed to keep children out of trouble while building integrity and leadership in the athletes. However, these values are becoming neglected as sports become excessively competitive. An environment where losing is intolerable is not only unhealthy, it becomes quite dangerous. Reevaluation of the purpose of youth sports seems necessary in order to prevent future incidents.

Bryan Bai

North Hollywood