Quote:For years, Reisterstown Baseball has given trophies to its youngest players — those aged 4 through 8 —for showing up.

But before the current season began, the youth league posted a new message on its website for parents of its youngest two divisions: “There will not be any participation trophies or medals handed out.”

“It’s just going back to the thought that you only get a trophy if you win,” said Andy Paladino, commissioner of the program. “I’m not going to change the world. My thoughts were to go back to the past.”

Participation trophies — as much a part of youth sports leagues as orange slices and twisted ankles — still provoke a sharp cultural debate over how best to build kids’ self-esteem. Around Maryland and the across the country, soccer, baseball and other programs are grappling with whether to provide the generic awards, given to all players, no matter the team’s record.

Some parents say they are uplifting and foster a sense of belonging. Others say they illustrate an American tendency to coddle children, promoting narcissism. Pundits mock millennials — those born roughly between 1980 and the mid-2000s — as the “Participation Trophy Generation.”

“Everybody has their own opinions,” said Sara Kessler. Her 6-year-old son, Mason, is among 350 players in Reisterstown Baseball.

Paladino, an investment adviser, said rewarding kids for showing up can lead to lingering feelings of entitlement.

“I would be interested to see how some of these kids who received them in the past are doing at their jobs now,” he said.

(05-06-2018 12:58 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  Here is how my kids youth track league handles it..

During the year 1st - 6th ribbons are given in every heat of the match, coaches are told to run their slowest runners in the early heatss

After the last meet medals are given to the teams/individuals that set the fastest three times throughout the season.

(05-06-2018 01:23 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 12:58 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  Here is how my kids youth track league handles it..

During the year 1st - 6th ribbons are given in every heat of the match, coaches are told to run their slowest runners in the early heatss

After the last meet medals are given to the teams/individuals that set the fastest three times throughout the season.

I’m perfectly fine with it through about age 10-12. These kids don't need to believe “they can’t” at such a young age. Quite frankly, I ser too many being discouraged to play multiple sports because tgey feel they aren’t good enough. Good God, how do you know at 9 whether you have aptitude or ability. Go out and have fun.

(05-06-2018 02:03 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 01:23 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 12:58 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  Here is how my kids youth track league handles it..

During the year 1st - 6th ribbons are given in every heat of the match, coaches are told to run their slowest runners in the early heatss

After the last meet medals are given to the teams/individuals that set the fastest three times throughout the season.

I’m perfectly fine with it through about age 10-12. These kids don't need to believe “they can’t” at such a young age. Quite frankly, I ser too many being discouraged to play multiple sports because tgey feel they aren’t good enough. Good God, how do you know at 9 whether you have aptitude or ability. Go out and have fun.

It is perfectly clear at 9, particularly in basketball and soccer. Football you can grow into certain positions if puberty treats you well. 10-12 is way to old. I am fine with participation trophies up through age 6. It does encourage them to play. Once you hit the 7-8 age group, however, it is time to weed out the dandelion pickers from the kids that want to be there to compete. The separation in talent at that age is pretty sad. It isn't fair to my kid to have to carry a team when half of them don't even want to be there. Even this year at 9-10, there are some sad people on the team, but at least they have a championship this year and at least the poor performers are perfectly content cheering from the bench.

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(05-06-2018 02:13 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:03 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 01:23 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 12:58 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  Here is how my kids youth track league handles it..

During the year 1st - 6th ribbons are given in every heat of the match, coaches are told to run their slowest runners in the early heatss

After the last meet medals are given to the teams/individuals that set the fastest three times throughout the season.

I’m perfectly fine with it through about age 10-12. These kids don't need to believe “they can’t” at such a young age. Quite frankly, I ser too many being discouraged to play multiple sports because tgey feel they aren’t good enough. Good God, how do you know at 9 whether you have aptitude or ability. Go out and have fun.

It is perfectly clear at 9, particularly in basketball and soccer. Football you can grow into certain positions if puberty treats you well. 10-12 is way to old. I am fine with participation trophies up through age 6. It does encourage them to play. Once you hit the 7-8 age group, however, it is time to weed out the dandelion pickers from the kids that want to be there to compete. The separation in talent at that age is pretty sad. It isn't fair to my kid to have to carry a team when half of them don't even want to be there. Even this year at 9-10, there are some sad people on the team, but at least they have a championship this year and at least the poor performers are perfectly content cheering from the bench.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

completely untrue. Until a kid hits puberty, there is no telling where they will land.

if you're worried about a kid carrying a team at 9, then you're the problem. I saw countless kids over the years quit because the sport meant more to their parents then it did to the kid. Sad.

(05-06-2018 02:20 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:13 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:03 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 01:23 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 12:58 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  Here is how my kids youth track league handles it..

During the year 1st - 6th ribbons are given in every heat of the match, coaches are told to run their slowest runners in the early heatss

After the last meet medals are given to the teams/individuals that set the fastest three times throughout the season.

I’m perfectly fine with it through about age 10-12. These kids don't need to believe “they can’t” at such a young age. Quite frankly, I ser too many being discouraged to play multiple sports because tgey feel they aren’t good enough. Good God, how do you know at 9 whether you have aptitude or ability. Go out and have fun.

It is perfectly clear at 9, particularly in basketball and soccer. Football you can grow into certain positions if puberty treats you well. 10-12 is way to old. I am fine with participation trophies up through age 6. It does encourage them to play. Once you hit the 7-8 age group, however, it is time to weed out the dandelion pickers from the kids that want to be there to compete. The separation in talent at that age is pretty sad. It isn't fair to my kid to have to carry a team when half of them don't even want to be there. Even this year at 9-10, there are some sad people on the team, but at least they have a championship this year and at least the poor performers are perfectly content cheering from the bench.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

completely untrue. Until a kid hits puberty, there is no telling where they will land.

if you're worried about a kid carrying a team at 9, then you're the problem. I saw countless kids over the years quit because the sport meant more to their parents then it did to the kid. Sad.

If the sport means more to the parents than the kids, probably a good decision to quit. I want kids on my team that will show leadership and dig deep to win and have to fight tears when losing. I'd rather have a kid of average talent with team ethos that is emotionally invested than a high talent that doesn't care.

And yes, the kids that did well by kicking and chasing in earlier years have already been weeded out. They stink at 9-10 when there are more players on the field and goaltenders than can catch. Team ball and handling skills are required at this age and wont br acquired with puberty.

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(05-06-2018 02:53 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:20 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:13 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:03 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 01:23 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  I’m perfectly fine with it through about age 10-12. These kids don't need to believe “they can’t” at such a young age. Quite frankly, I ser too many being discouraged to play multiple sports because tgey feel they aren’t good enough. Good God, how do you know at 9 whether you have aptitude or ability. Go out and have fun.

It is perfectly clear at 9, particularly in basketball and soccer. Football you can grow into certain positions if puberty treats you well. 10-12 is way to old. I am fine with participation trophies up through age 6. It does encourage them to play. Once you hit the 7-8 age group, however, it is time to weed out the dandelion pickers from the kids that want to be there to compete. The separation in talent at that age is pretty sad. It isn't fair to my kid to have to carry a team when half of them don't even want to be there. Even this year at 9-10, there are some sad people on the team, but at least they have a championship this year and at least the poor performers are perfectly content cheering from the bench.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

completely untrue. Until a kid hits puberty, there is no telling where they will land.

if you're worried about a kid carrying a team at 9, then you're the problem. I saw countless kids over the years quit because the sport meant more to their parents then it did to the kid. Sad.

If the sport means more to the parents than the kids, probably a good decision to quit. I want kids on my team that will show leadership and dig deep to win and have to fight tears when losing. I'd rather have a kid of average talent with team ethos that is emotionally invested than a high talent that doesn't care.

And yes, the kids that did well by kicking and chasing in earlier years have already been weeded out. They stink at 9-10 when there are more players on the field and goaltenders than can catch. Team ball and handling skills are required at this age and wont br acquired with puberty.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

As a parent of two boys who have navigated the minefield of youth sports at a major level, and are now playing high school ball, you are simply wrong. As we were going through it, and my father, who was a professional athelete, explained to me the absurdity of having my 9 year old playing 50+ ball games per year, I thought he was wrong. What I see now, is half the kids who played are no longer playing... and those weren't dandelion pickers. They are just kids who were dealt a bad hand by mother nature or simply burned out on the sport. Smaller kids tend to dominate at younger ages because their hand eye is usually better. The big goofy kids catch up, though, and the parents who are used to the goofy kids sitting the bench at 9, are dumbfounded when at 14 when the roles reverse.

I think back to a conversation a coach of our Memphis Tiger 10's coach had with me about mastering after 10,000 hours or repetitions. His son was our shortstop and one of those kids who "had to be on the field". My kid was new at the time and never got off the bench. By 14, my son was playing for the premier program in our area and traveling the southeast, and his son didn't make the high school team. Good kid that just never grew.

Our neighbors down the street had a kid who loved basketball but was thick around the middle in his early years and sat the bench until his 9th grade season in HS. He hit puberty, grew, leaned up and is now the best kid on his HS team and playing AAU summer ball for M33 Elite. Those kids ahead of him at 9 are watching him play now.

I've seen countless examples over the past 10 years.

(05-06-2018 02:55 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:53 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:20 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:13 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:03 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  It is perfectly clear at 9, particularly in basketball and soccer. Football you can grow into certain positions if puberty treats you well. 10-12 is way to old. I am fine with participation trophies up through age 6. It does encourage them to play. Once you hit the 7-8 age group, however, it is time to weed out the dandelion pickers from the kids that want to be there to compete. The separation in talent at that age is pretty sad. It isn't fair to my kid to have to carry a team when half of them don't even want to be there. Even this year at 9-10, there are some sad people on the team, but at least they have a championship this year and at least the poor performers are perfectly content cheering from the bench.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

completely untrue. Until a kid hits puberty, there is no telling where they will land.

if you're worried about a kid carrying a team at 9, then you're the problem. I saw countless kids over the years quit because the sport meant more to their parents then it did to the kid. Sad.

If the sport means more to the parents than the kids, probably a good decision to quit. I want kids on my team that will show leadership and dig deep to win and have to fight tears when losing. I'd rather have a kid of average talent with team ethos that is emotionally invested than a high talent that doesn't care.

And yes, the kids that did well by kicking and chasing in earlier years have already been weeded out. They stink at 9-10 when there are more players on the field and goaltenders than can catch. Team ball and handling skills are required at this age and wont br acquired with puberty.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

As a parent of two boys who have navigated the minefield of youth sports at a major level, and are now playing high school ball, you are simply wrong. As we were going through it, and my father, who was a professional athelete, explained to me the absurdity of having my 9 year old playing 50+ ball games per year, I thought he was wrong. What I see now, is half the kids who played are no longer playing... and those weren't dandelion pickers. They are just kids who were dealt a bad hand by mother nature or simply burned out on the sport. Smaller kids tend to dominate at younger ages because their hand eye is usually better. The big goofy kids catch up, though, and the parents who are used to the goofy kids sitting the bench at 9, are dumbfounded when at 14 when the roles reverse.

I think back to a conversation a coach of our Memphis Tiger 10's coach had with me about mastering after 10,000 hours or repetitions. His son was our shortstop and one of those kids who "had to be on the field". My kid was new at the time and never got off the bench. By 14, my son was playing for the premier program in our area and traveling the southeast, and his son didn't make the high school team. Good kid that just never grew.

Our neighbors down the street had a kid who loved basketball but was thick around the middle in his early years and sat the bench until his 9th grade season in HS. He hit puberty, grew, leaned up and is now the best kid on his HS team and playing AAU summer ball for M33 Elite. Those kids ahead of him at 9 are watching him play now.

I've seen countless examples over the past 10 years.

I agree with you on the burnout.

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(05-06-2018 03:05 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:55 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:53 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:20 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:13 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  completely untrue. Until a kid hits puberty, there is no telling where they will land.

if you're worried about a kid carrying a team at 9, then you're the problem. I saw countless kids over the years quit because the sport meant more to their parents then it did to the kid. Sad.

If the sport means more to the parents than the kids, probably a good decision to quit. I want kids on my team that will show leadership and dig deep to win and have to fight tears when losing. I'd rather have a kid of average talent with team ethos that is emotionally invested than a high talent that doesn't care.

And yes, the kids that did well by kicking and chasing in earlier years have already been weeded out. They stink at 9-10 when there are more players on the field and goaltenders than can catch. Team ball and handling skills are required at this age and wont br acquired with puberty.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

As a parent of two boys who have navigated the minefield of youth sports at a major level, and are now playing high school ball, you are simply wrong. As we were going through it, and my father, who was a professional athelete, explained to me the absurdity of having my 9 year old playing 50+ ball games per year, I thought he was wrong. What I see now, is half the kids who played are no longer playing... and those weren't dandelion pickers. They are just kids who were dealt a bad hand by mother nature or simply burned out on the sport. Smaller kids tend to dominate at younger ages because their hand eye is usually better. The big goofy kids catch up, though, and the parents who are used to the goofy kids sitting the bench at 9, are dumbfounded when at 14 when the roles reverse.

I think back to a conversation a coach of our Memphis Tiger 10's coach had with me about mastering after 10,000 hours or repetitions. His son was our shortstop and one of those kids who "had to be on the field". My kid was new at the time and never got off the bench. By 14, my son was playing for the premier program in our area and traveling the southeast, and his son didn't make the high school team. Good kid that just never grew.

Our neighbors down the street had a kid who loved basketball but was thick around the middle in his early years and sat the bench until his 9th grade season in HS. He hit puberty, grew, leaned up and is now the best kid on his HS team and playing AAU summer ball for M33 Elite. Those kids ahead of him at 9 are watching him play now.

I've seen countless examples over the past 10 years.

I agree with you on the burnout.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

how old are your kids?

(05-06-2018 03:06 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Kids are incredibly perceptive about what’s going on around them. When everybody gets a trophy/medal/whatever, kids immediately realize that the trophies are worthless. “Self-esteem” (or whatever it is the grown-ups were concerned with) is not improved one iota.

(05-06-2018 03:12 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 03:05 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:55 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:53 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(05-06-2018 02:20 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  If the sport means more to the parents than the kids, probably a good decision to quit. I want kids on my team that will show leadership and dig deep to win and have to fight tears when losing. I'd rather have a kid of average talent with team ethos that is emotionally invested than a high talent that doesn't care.

And yes, the kids that did well by kicking and chasing in earlier years have already been weeded out. They stink at 9-10 when there are more players on the field and goaltenders than can catch. Team ball and handling skills are required at this age and wont br acquired with puberty.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

As a parent of two boys who have navigated the minefield of youth sports at a major level, and are now playing high school ball, you are simply wrong. As we were going through it, and my father, who was a professional athelete, explained to me the absurdity of having my 9 year old playing 50+ ball games per year, I thought he was wrong. What I see now, is half the kids who played are no longer playing... and those weren't dandelion pickers. They are just kids who were dealt a bad hand by mother nature or simply burned out on the sport. Smaller kids tend to dominate at younger ages because their hand eye is usually better. The big goofy kids catch up, though, and the parents who are used to the goofy kids sitting the bench at 9, are dumbfounded when at 14 when the roles reverse.

I think back to a conversation a coach of our Memphis Tiger 10's coach had with me about mastering after 10,000 hours or repetitions. His son was our shortstop and one of those kids who "had to be on the field". My kid was new at the time and never got off the bench. By 14, my son was playing for the premier program in our area and traveling the southeast, and his son didn't make the high school team. Good kid that just never grew.

Our neighbors down the street had a kid who loved basketball but was thick around the middle in his early years and sat the bench until his 9th grade season in HS. He hit puberty, grew, leaned up and is now the best kid on his HS team and playing AAU summer ball for M33 Elite. Those kids ahead of him at 9 are watching him play now.

I've seen countless examples over the past 10 years.

I agree with you on the burnout.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

how old are your kids?

My son is 9. I also have two little girls (2.5 and 4 months). We haven't even done travel soccer yet because I don't want him to burnout and because none of the travel kids are getting any better than him just training on his own in the backyard. We are still doing rec soccer spring/fall and basketball summe/winter though sometimes he opts out of basketball and takes a break, which is fine. He is a good basketball player, pure shooter, but doesn't have the genetics (he is average height and I am 5'10" and my wife is 5'7"). He may have a future in soccer. Very talented and extremely high soccer IQ.

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(05-06-2018 10:31 AM)usmbacker Wrote:  

Trophies are for winning, not for just showing up.

Quote:For years, Reisterstown Baseball has given trophies to its youngest players — those aged 4 through 8 —for showing up.

But before the current season began, the youth league posted a new message on its website for parents of its youngest two divisions: “There will not be any participation trophies or medals handed out.”

“It’s just going back to the thought that you only get a trophy if you win,” said Andy Paladino, commissioner of the program. “I’m not going to change the world. My thoughts were to go back to the past.”

Participation trophies — as much a part of youth sports leagues as orange slices and twisted ankles — still provoke a sharp cultural debate over how best to build kids’ self-esteem. Around Maryland and the across the country, soccer, baseball and other programs are grappling with whether to provide the generic awards, given to all players, no matter the team’s record.

Some parents say they are uplifting and foster a sense of belonging. Others say they illustrate an American tendency to coddle children, promoting narcissism. Pundits mock millennials — those born roughly between 1980 and the mid-2000s — as the “Participation Trophy Generation.”

“Everybody has their own opinions,” said Sara Kessler. Her 6-year-old son, Mason, is among 350 players in Reisterstown Baseball.

Paladino, an investment adviser, said rewarding kids for showing up can lead to lingering feelings of entitlement.

“I would be interested to see how some of these kids who received them in the past are doing at their jobs now,” he said.

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