Lots of pressures contribute to unsportsmanlike behavior

Re “Sporting Behavior” [May 16]: Perhaps the overemphasis on organized sports grows out of society’s failure to fund public education and the lack of meaningful physical education programs, which combined with all the news on childhood obesity puts added stress on how crucial it is to play soccer after school when you’re only 5 years old. (If you haven’t signed up already, your kid will be on a waiting list.)

And for the parent who just wants to let the kids cruise the neighborhood on a bike, there’s the list of convicted child molesters living in the area to put the lid on that idea.

And how about getting into college? If a well-rounded high school resume is the only hedge against reduced public college funding, lack of government grants for college education and rising private school tuition, then isn’t an early emphasis on sports as important as a college savings plan?

It’s crazy-making to consider all the challenges and obstacles at once. But if a parent doesn’t at least dare to glance at the big picture once in a while, then the child may well be the one to lose.

Allison Goodman

La Crescenta

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When I coached Little League baseball, my focus was on making sure everyone got along, played together and had fun. When the parents yelled from the stands for their kid to move one way, stand another, watch the ball, swing, etc., I could see the poor kid cringe. And if they didn’t hit, catch, swing or throw right, the tears were just a glove’s throw away.

Here is one thing I want all the “Tiger dads” to consider: During team huddles, more often than not, we’re telling them to block out the voices from the stands. We remind them that it’s a game, to remember practice and to have fun. Because ultimately that’s all everyone wants.

David Hittelman

Santa Monica