Headlines From The Nation's Press

Each week we open the show with some of the most glaring and reoccurring stories chronicling the ugliness surrounding youth sports organized by adults; issues pertaining to our children's health and education. These headlines clap like thunder across the country signaling a warning to parents, coaches, administrators, lawmakers, and community stakeholders that widespread change is imperative.

My good friend, and frequent guest on the show, Professor Doug Abrams of the College of Law at the University of Missouri, will add you to his daily mailing list of these stories. Simply email Doug and ask him to add your name to the list.

The Main(e) Event

Bob Bigelow, author of "Just Let The Kids Play," joins us by phone from Boston in our second hour. This time, we'll discuss why many experts and observers around the country believe that youth sports must be re-organized so that all children may benefit from the positive things sports have to offer.

Those things would be FUN, adequate physical activity, socialization, learning to organize their own play, solving their own problems, as well as all of the things we currently believe sports can teach, but do not! i.e. teamwork, responsibility, positive role modeling by parents and coaches, moral and ethical behavior, etc.

Many of us who advocate for reform of youth sports believe the only way to change behaviors and to restore the "timeless value of sport and play" is to change the policies, procedures, and un-spoken rules that currently govern all the games our children play.

During the first hour, my guests will be Kerry Kertes, softball and swim coach at Cape Elizabeth, and Mark Tinkham, outgoing assistant principal at Cape Elizabeth, and the girls soccer coach. Mark takes over his new job as principal of Freeport High July 17th. We'll discuss the similarities and differences they find in coaching girls. You might be surprised at what they think, but then, if you have a daughter who is an athlete, you already know! If we're lucky, Kerry and Mark might even be successful in getting 4-5 of their athletes up early and out of bed to come on the show! Pictures and commentary on the website Gallery will surely follow.

The Coaches Corner

I'll have some helpful hints for first-time and veteran coaches about what is really important.

Regis' Rant

For millions of kids world-wide, the Little League season is over. Why is it that all of those sandlots and perfectly manicured fields are now empty of kids when summer vacation is just around the corner? I'll be "going off" on ESPN and the Little League World Series that focuses on a few hundred "all-stars," and our need to crown a "world" champion for 12 and 13 year olds.

The Parent Trap

More on the "Parent Trap" of youth sports and how to be aware of it and how to protect yourself from becoming ensnared.

We invite our listeners to call in and share their views.

Listeners can take part in the show by calling:

207-775-2217 or 1-866-811-9505.