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

"Little League, Big Dreams" is a scathing review of the Little League World Series and the road to Williamsport, PA.

Last week we talked with author Charles Euchner about the coverage of the Little League World Series. He pointed out that winning a national championship along with extensive media coverage forces adults to push kids too hard, cheat, bend the rules. And with ESPN/ABC now covering many regional games as well as all of the World Series Games, corporate sponsors are spending tens of millions of dollars to get their brand on TV.

We want to hear what you think about it. Do you have a personal story to share? Do you think Euchner is right when he says the main problem is the professionalisation of childhood, forcing kids to grow up too fast?

NHL referee, Wes McCauley returns to talk about the "new rules" and how they have affected the professional game and whether or not the new rules have had any affect on the college, high school, and youth levels.

The Coaches Corner

Here's the most significant question facing every coach and would-be coach at the amateur levels: How do you define your role? Are you a teacher of children and young adults, or are you a manager enlisted to win games. Is there more to your job than teaching the basics of your sport?

Regis' Rant

Corporate America is exploiting our kids. From sneaker deals for 14 year olds, scouting reports on 10 year olds, to free bats, uniforms, and equipment for Little League teams, America's corporations are doing anything and everything to get their stuff into the hands of our kids and to create "brand loyalty." It works exactly the same way for fast food, candy, soft drinks, cereal, cigarettes, and alcohol. Organized youth sports is a multi-billion dollar industry and free-market capitalism just winks and continues to spin their products and services to kids who, in turn, influence their parents to spend millions on things they think will make them better or look cool.

The Parent Trap

Question for Parents: "Is your involvement in youth sports really about your kids?" I hear parents say they do it because the kids love it. But research, experts, and the nation's headlines paint a different picture. Is it necessary to "manage" every aspect of our children's games? Or would it really be better to "just let the kids play?" Have we come to believe that kids can't learn on their own while having fun with their friends. Which lessons last a lifetime? One aspect of the "Parent Trap" is believing that we have to do everything for our kids. Nowhere but in sports is this more apparent.

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.

or email me during the show at:

Regis@thecenterforkidsfirst.org