Not much has changed over the years as far as music, kids and athletics. Yes, the songs are different and the music players have shrunk, but the reasons for athletes to listen to music remains the same. 

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I'm looking forward to Sunday's AAU baseball games in Portland, Maine. The parents are already talking about it. Do we need to put in reservations? My mouth is already watering. Not for the baseball double-header, rather the dinner afterwards at Warren's Lobster House in Kittery on the way home! 

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In the blink of an eye, the play is over, and dust fills the air. Did the umpire see it? Will he make the right call? "He's out," I said to the parents around me, showing the images on the back of my camera. My son, Brandon clearly put the tag on the runner during a pick-off at first base. "Safe," said the ump, and the inning continued. What if there were instant replays in youth sports?

 

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He walked around the batting cage proudly, holding it like a trophy, bragging how fast the pitch came in before the 32-inch chunk of maple exploded into pieces. For my son, Brandon it was another one for his collection, and for me it was 85 more bucks out of my wallet.

 

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With a pool of blood in front of me, on the middle of Elm Street, I stood on the sidewalk and photographed Nashua police officers taking pictures and measurements for hours, as they investigated what appeared to me as a pedestrian accident with a car, behind Nashua City Hall Friday morning, May 2, 2008. But who would think that it allegedly started as a confrontation between Red Sox fans and a Yankee fan in a nearby pub? 

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When I think of poor sportsmanship, my thoughts are of fighting hockey players, soccer red cards, John McEnroe, and the picture I shot following a Rothsay, Minn., football playoff game 20 years ago. Do you remember the phrase, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me?" Well, they do! 

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Is there something you've been wondering about pertaining to youth sports? Do you have suggestions for topics of discussion on this blog? Please share them! 

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Have you had to make a choice between attending church, or taking your child to sports activities? Maybe you've been lucky enough to avoid the decision so far, with no games on Sunday, or religious services on Saturdays. 

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You probably have some collecting cobwebs in the basement. Or, maybe you use them now as book markers. Full of pinholes and scribbling from your youth days, just what are those old ticket stubs, programs and pennants worth on ebay? 

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Was it that embarassing trip on the athletic field, or the mismatching socks you wore on the court that gave you your first nickname? Maybe it was that "athletic" crew cut, or your hunter orange hair that labeled you from birth. 

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I see them all the time at night games. Like tiny stars exploding in the night, the flashes of cameras go off from the grandstands like the strobe lights on a dance floor. Maybe you have tried to take pictures outside at night, only to find extremely dark or black photos on your monitor when you upload your pictures. The flash went off, so what happened?

 

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Athletes frown upon hearing the word. The sound of it is degrading and negative. The agony of defeat usually brings tears, pouting and tantrums for some, but not for me!

 

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Was it the hype of the loud crowd or the bright stadium lights? Maybe it was the mascots or the obnoxious fans that made an impact. Or, could it be the foot-long hot dogs and Cracker Jacks, or vendors shouting "Peanuts" that rings a bell? What do you remember about the first professional sports game you went to as a youngster?

 

 

 

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Are you one of those parents who finds their blood pressure rising on the day of your child's game? Do you find yourself pacing the side of the field when you brought a perfectly comfortable chair to the game? Do you lose your voice by the end of a game? You're not alone. 

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It's early Sunday morning and the sun just came up. You barely have your eyes open and your child comes running up to you shouting "Dad, I hit a homerun." A few minutes later he does it again. Aren't you proud? Is this one of those priceless moments you've seen on the television ads?

 

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First of all, I'm not accusing anyone named Paul of having bunions on his feet. That's the inflamed swelling of the sac on the joint of the big toe, according to Webster's Dictionary. I mean, do your child's feet look big enough to make a footprint resembling Lake Winnipesaukee?

 

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Do you enjoy traveling, and calling "time-outs?" Are you accustomed to kids talking back to you, and parents becoming emotional about every decision you make? Well, if this sounds interesting, pick up a whistle and try on a zebra shirt.

 

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It's 6 a.m. on Saturday morning and you've been up for an hour already packing a cooler. The laundry was done at midnight, and still in the dryer. Your child is just waking up, and searches his dresser for clean socks. Dad is packing the car with chairs, jackets and an armload of water bottles. You check your email for last minute messages before scampering out the door, driving to an unfamiliar destination. Dad stop for coffee along the way, while mom looks for the map. Your child is in their own world, listening to the iPod in the back seat. Does this sound familiar to you yet?


 

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