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bluetickcoach
7 Posts |
 Posted - 12/15/2008 : 23:25:40
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One of the things I have struggled with for years is balancing my faith with my kids missing church because of travel ball. I am the head coach and so I am not pointing a finger or judging anyone. It is not that I think you have to go to church every Sunday in order to get into Heaven or anything like that, but I worry that we are sending our children the wrong message as to what our priorities are. I am a Christian and try to keep God first and I am worried about the ramifications this might have when they are older and out on their own. I played baseball all my life and even played ball in college and we were never faced with this decision. I understand you only have so many hours on a weekend for a tournament, but sometimes it is just a money grab, forcing the weaker teams to come back Sunday morning for an ellimination game just for the gate fees.
Rick Reilly had a "life of Reilly" commentary in Sports Illustrated dated April 26, 2004 where he addressed this problem:
Here it is......(I couldn't find a link, so I just typed it. Sorry it is long.)
Another Easter Sunday in the Cathedral. Hushed voices. Amens. People holding hands and praying. At the end, all of them rising as one and screaming, "my God, it's a miracle!"
Church?
Heck, no. Augusta National. It was Phil Mickelson's win at the Masters.
Sports has nearly swallowed Sunday whole. Every pro sport plays on Sunday. The big day in progolf and tennis is Sunday. College football started playing bowl games on Sunday. Here's March Madness: 10 NCAA tournament games were played on Sunday. Now more and more youth sports teams are playing on Sunday, when the fields are easier to get and parents are available to drive.
It's that kind of stuff that has really torqued off Pope John Paul II lately, In March he decried the fact that Sundays are losing their "fundamental meaning" to "such things as entertainment and sport." It's not as if he's antijock. The pope was a goalkeeper, skier and kayaker in his day. Hey, he just blessed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's right arm. He's just hacked at the way sport is crowding God right off the list of Sunday passions.
The first people he might want to crack down on are the Christians themselves. Think he knows that the Santa Clarita (Calif.) YMCA has youth hoops on Sundays? Think the pope would be down on Notre Dame if he knew its softball team will play more games on Sundays in May than on any other day of the week?
He's not the only one who's chapped about sports becoming this country's main religion. Priests and pastors across the country have noticed something lately: God is competing more and more with Sunday sports - and losing. Especially with youth sports.
"It's only happened the last two years," says Rich Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals. "Coaches never used to schedule games on Sunday."
Says the Reverend Julie Yarborough of Summit (N.J.) Christ Church, "you see kids coming to Sunday school late and their parents coming early to get them for games-if they come at all. Sports is really eating into our time."
Her colleague at Christ Church, the Reverend Charles Rush, knew there was a problem the other day when his 12-year-old acolyte lit the candles at the front of the church wearing his soccer cleats.
I'll tell you exactly what's going on here: the upping of American youth sports.
For some reason overcaffeinated parents feel they have to keep up with the Joneses. They used to do it with their cars. Now they do it with their kids. Upping means putting little Justin into not one soccer league but three, not one soccer camp but four.
Upping also means playing up, forcing a kid to play one or even two levels above his age group, so that little Benjamin, age eight, can sit on the 10 -year-olds' bench, play three minutes a game and whiff in his only at bat. But, hey, he is playing up!
And upping means moving up. The local team isn't high-profile, so little Amber has to switch to an elite team, usually in another town. That means extended drives to and from practice plus traveling three or four or six hours to play in tony invitational tournaments on weekends. This way parents from far-flung towns can flaunt the status symbol of spending beautiful warm weekends in a freezing ice rink watching 14 mind- and butt-numbing hockey games.
"I admit, we're guilty from time to time," John Burrill, head of the Massachusets Youth Soccer Association, says of playing on Sundays. "we don't feel particulary good about it, but with today's busy schedules Sunday is the only time some of us have to do these things. And if you're going to travel two states away, it doesn't make sense to not play Sunday, too."
Well, religion bosses have decided that they're not going to take it anymore. Spiritual leaders in Summit got together recently and appealed for sports leagues to stop scheduling games before noon on Sunday. A meeting between them and area youth coaches is set for May. We'll see who kneels first.
Don't bet on coaches doing the right thing. If they could, they'd have your kids running stairs on Christmas morning. What has to happen is the parents have to start saying no. Not to their kids-to their kids' coaches. "I told my boy's coach he wouldn't be playing on Sundays," says Cizik, "and he looked shocked. I said, 'You act like nobody's ever said that to you before.' And he said, 'Honestly? They haven't.' "
I'm with the holy men. Not that I'm the Reverend Lovejoy, but I just feel sorry for these kids who get nothing but organized sports crammed down their gullets 24/7. My Lord, even God took a day off.
Kids might weep with joy to get a day off from sports. If they don't spend it at church, maybe they'll spend it getting to know their siblings' names again. Or swing in a hammock without a coach screaming, "Get your hips into it, Samantha!"
Hey, you do what you want. Just remember, when little Shaniqua has two free throws to win or lose a game on some Sunday morning, good luck finding somebody who'll answer your prayers. |
Edited by - bluetickcoach on 12/16/2008 00:04:32 |
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Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2008 : 09:39:18
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We have struggled with this dillema as well. Not only with baseball, but cheerleading too.
I thought of an idea, last year, I wish we could work to implement. Organize a 30 minute sunday school session 1-1/2 hours before the first game of a tournament on Sunday. This would allow for 30 minutes of sunday school teaching to whomever wanted to attend, and still give the teams that play the first game the hour prior to game time to warm up. Tournament directors could tell the teams, when they registered, that this was going on and they are welcome to attend. Some organization of the teaching and materials would have to be worked out but it would be a better direction than doing nothing at all. I realize this does not replace a worship service for the players spiritual growth but it does let them see that even though they are playing a sport, you can always continue to grow in your walk with God. |
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baseball99
89 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2008 : 09:47:50
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| One thing is sad but true - this country is moving away from the ideas that Church and family are important. On the flip side, just because you attend Church every Sunday doesn't make you a good Christian. Our team says prayers before and after every game and practice and we focus a lot of our teachings around sportsmanship. There are plenty of opportunities on tournament Sunday to discuss and learn about Christianity or anything else you choose to focus on. (on the ride to the tournament, between games, etc.) It's a matter of priorities. |
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3sondad
220 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2008 : 09:57:02
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On Sundays when the tournament is close and the game is not too early, we will get up and go to the 8:00 AM service. The last two years my oldest son played for a Christian coach who would have a Bible study before the first game on Sunday mornings. My middle son played on a team where one of the coaches was a pastor at one time and they would also have a quick Bible lesson before an early Sunday game.
I guess what I am saying, is that when two are gathered in His name ... I feel that if my boys learn that when they are unable to attend Church, that they take time to study the Bible and pray is a wonderful thing. I was taught and plan to teach my boys that growing as a Christian is more than just attending Church on Sunday mornings. I attend a Church and they have my full support, but my faith is independent of any Church. This article is mistaken that God is competing against sports ... Churches are not not necessarily God.
I have heard of some teams holding regular practices Sunday mornings. I would not even consider having my boys join that team. |
Edited by - 3sondad on 12/16/2008 10:40:14 |
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dblinkh1
39 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2008 : 10:35:39
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| What are we teaching our kids? Yes, we miss church for baseball, I am tired, I have to work, it's raining or any other number of reasons. It is not just sports keeping our children out of churches. I think what is important is what we do to encourage faith building in our children outside of church. Sports are competitive and at times cut throat but that is the parents. Our we as parents sitting at the dinner table in front of our children complaining about their coach not giving them their due playing time? Would going to church change that? Look for opportunities to encourage a Christian lifestyle outside of sports or any other activity that competes for their time. Do your children donate their own money to charities? Do they help the elderly couple down the street with their yard work? Our team volunteered one weekend at a special needs baseball program and it was truly an eye opening experience for them. Going to church doesn't make you a better Christian, being a better Christian makes for a better church member. |
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ronicard
117 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2008 : 16:08:50
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| One of my players' father is an evangelist from First Baptist Woodstock. He serves as our team chaplain and leads us in services on Sunday mornings prior to tournaments when we have to play early games and can't make it to church. |
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BBall123
395 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2008 : 21:20:31
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wow, great topic , this has been on my mind for about 6 weeks.I have struggled with this and I realize that baseball has kept my family out of church.The verse that says " forsake not the assembleing of yourselves together" comes to mind.
what worries me is that in so many areas, our culture has bent the meaning of the word of god to fit our lifestyles. is this not what we are doing here also?
some would say that we have replaced worshipping God with worshipping baseball instead,just one more golden calf??(anything that takes precedents over God is now God??)
I dont know what the answer is but obviously God is dealing with more people than me on this subject which tends to make you think that it IS a real Issue.
I have heard preachers say that Satan will use "ANY MEANS NECESSARY" to keep familys out of church,(the NFL) (nascar),and make them seem family oriented,harmless,wholesome?(this is just little league baseball we are not doing anything wrong?)
while we are not doing anything wrong per say , we are (if you believe the bible) ignoring a commandment straight from God?
I guess everyone has to make their own personal choices |
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SportsDad
293 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2008 : 01:15:43
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| I've always wondered why, when to converstion turns to baseball on Sundays, why the conversation doesn't talk about Saturdays or Fridays nights for Jewish kids, or if the coaches would be agreeable to stop play in the middle of a game for a Muslim kid to pray at his "appointed" times. I always figured as a coach I have them for maybe 25 hours a week TOPS..figure the parents with the other 143 hours could best handle the religous stuff. Had a player who's Mom used to take the kid to either a 7pm Saturday service or a 7Am Sunday service..wasn't really convienant for the Mom or the kid, but I don't think they ever missed church because of baseball. Neither Jewish or Muslim, but I always thought especially with young kids 8-12 what would they think if I imposed my religion on them...mainly because they wouldn't like my feeling if they tried to impose there religion on me. I've had many Jewish kids (7-8) play for me and I had one Muslim kid play for me ( although I didn't know it until his parents told me he was Muslim) ((always felt bad that the kid felt he had to hide his faith))Yes I agree with dblink1 look to encourage religion outside of baseball.. |
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AllStar
762 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2008 : 08:45:22
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We've got three Jewish kids on our team and at least two families that don't attend any church. We model ethics and integrity and the one that seems to get lost most often in travel ball, treating other people the way you want to be treated.
The formal spiritual upbringing of the players is up to the parents. |
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Marinersfan
57 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2008 : 11:32:54
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Sports Dad. I could not agree more. In my view if there's only place where coaches ought not be pushing their specific religious beliefs on young kids absent parental consent its on the baseball field. That's the parents job. I absolutely believe as coaches we should promote ethics, strong morals and treating others as you wish to be treated yourself. But I do not believe we should be suggesting that Christianity, Judaism, the Muslim faith or any other religion is the only one that matters, which I believe is often the case when as coaches we are concerned only with Sunday morning conflicts or when we hold prayer services that promote one faith over the other. While my faith happens to be the majority faith in this area, I recognize that if I moved somewhere else, it might not be and I certainly would not want my son's coaches or coaches from another team imposing their specific religious beliefs on him any more than I should impose my religious beliefs on a young boy who's parents are of a different faith. While I recognize that coaches certainly mean no harm by their actions, and are only simply trying to foster well grounded people, I do believe this goal can be reached without emphasizing one faith over the other.
The most obvious example I have seen of this is a coach calling over the other team to the mound in front of everyone at the end of the game for a short prayer service only to recite a prayer that prays to one religion's savior over another's. I recognize the counter argument to this ---if the kid does not want to be a part of it, he can simply walk away. Well, that's great in theory. In reality it creates an awkward situation that should not occur on a baseball field when 23 kids and 6 coaches walk to the mound, kneel and pray while one 9 or 10 year old kid from the other team goes to the dugout alone to pack his bag with his head down. Not sure what is more innapropriate, that, or that same child kneeling and listening to a prayer that, unbeknownst to him prayers to another savior over his. There has got to be a more sensitive way to handle this when you don't know the religious beliefs of every kid whom your team plays throughout the year.
That said, I recognize that there are teams that are formed with the purposed of having a specific religious connection, such as "christian based" teams. This is a different situation. These teams are formed with that purpose, everyone recognizes that Christian teachings will be promoted on the team and everyone agrees. I have absolutely no problem with that system and think its great for those involved.
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2008 : 12:56:00
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Look in the news, chruches aren't any safer than baseball fields people there aren't any better, lead by example and do what you think is best for your family.
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bluetickcoach
7 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2008 : 19:03:30
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| I started this subject and let me tell you what I do as my team's headcoach. We have a prayer (led by one of the boys without a coach present) before every game. They do this on their own. On Sunday mornings before we play our first game (and I make it clear it is totally optional), I read a scripture, say a few words, and have a prayer. I am very carefull to read a scripture having to do with life lessons that are appropriate for the age of our kids (13 yr olds). For example I led one last year on David and Goliath. I am also very careful to keep it generic without a lean towards any specific denomination. I have Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Church of Christ, and some boys that I know attend nowhere on a continuous basis. I know it is not my place to impose my religion on anyone, especially a captive audience like my team, but I also know that I feel a responsibility not to entirely ingnore the fact that it is the Lord's day. It also lets my son see that God is important to me and many others on the team. I do have daily conversations in our home concerning our faith and have told him that if he makes it into the Baseball Hall of Fame one day and loses his soul that I was a failure. I read what Sports Dad wrote and I respect his views, but as a Christian, I cannot seperate my faith from my coaching. It is who I am whether at a ballfield, at home, at work, or by myself. I also know this isn't for everyone, but this is how I approach it. |
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SportsDad
293 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2008 : 00:43:20
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| Like I said, it's your team and you can run it anyway you like. One of the main reason I am alwasy hesitant to comment about this type of post, is I fear people will misinterpert my remarks as either a personal attack on them or a general attack on religion itself. They are neither. My beliefs are my own, just like I feel yours are your own also. I just never think it is appropriate to subject my beliefs on anyone, especially a captive audiances of kids. I wonder how many would impose their beliefs of Keeping the Sabbath Holy, if instead of kids, were called to work on Sunday. I doubt many would be asking their bosses to read some scripture,that they believed in with everyone present before they started work. Adults can easily "not attend", children cannot...Hopefully your son never plays for anyone who doesn't share your beliefs, and not all parents have the luxury to decide that, especially as they get older. I wouldn't and I'm kinda sure you wouldn't want your son playing for someone who wanted the kids to hear chapter and verse from the Koran, regardless of how almost indentical it is to the New and Old Testament..All religions have as their basic premise a code of morality in how man should act towards his fellow man..I try to instill a sense of morality rather than religion..It reminds me of post in the past regarding "cheating" and the bending of rules...my thoughts were you just don't do it...it's cheating..rather than the "gray areas" some thought..Oh just one other thought...Having a player do it without the coach "present" is even worse... |
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743
215 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2008 : 07:35:01
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| I guess as long as you tell the parents upfront your faith and your plan for Sundays way before the season starts then it wouldn't be a problem, if you wait until the season starts and mention it or ask if it's okay then I see a problem with that. |
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How do you deal with Sunday baseball
