Violence taints youth sports

By MICHAEL CULVER

It is common knowledge that many of today’s sporting activities involve a brutal clash among the participants, but two episodes in the past two weeks should be a cause of concern for parents and students alike who attend or participate in organized athletics.

The first instance involved a father who allegedly shot a Texas high school football coach after the coach banned his son from athletics. The second incident is closer to home. A 13-year-old boy from Palmdale, Calif. allegedly killed a 15-year-old boy by beating him with a baseball bat after the two boys exchanged words following a game.

Are organized sports the cause of these tragedies, or is the problem human nature in general?

Maybe the answer lies somewhere in between.

It would be easy to blame organized sports alone. There’s been a lot of discussion about the very nature of violence in sports and the competitive nature it brings out in seemingly normal people. It could be argued that the competitiveness to reach the next level, be it a college education or future professional career, provokes these aggressive acts.

It is human nature to make heroes of our athletes. We have made heroes of them since recorded history began, describing the athletic prowess of those who undertake the challenges presented by competition. We pay them well, and elevate them to a standard above the average citizen. Today’s children strive to become these heroes, and their parents are willing to do anything — even murder — to help them achieve this elevated status in our society.

Will I have to worry for my child’s safety over the next 10 years as she begins participating in competitive sports? Yes. Will there be other instances of violence surrounding organized sports? Most certainly.

Can anything be done to change any of this? Not likely, because parents live for their children and children perform for their parents. That is human nature, and that can’t be changed.

So this year, while you’re sitting in the stands or standing in the outfield, look at those around you and take note. The enemy is all around you, and the battlefield may be marked by a goalpost.