Commentary; Posted: 7/14/04

Select teams at young ages in question

By Don Heinzman

A medical doctor from Edina questions if having select, traveling sports teams for 7, 8, 9, and 10-year-olds is fair to physically under-developed kids who either get cut or are relegated to in-house leagues.

He contends when they are not selected to the traveling teams, they get less playing time on taxpayer-supported gyms and fields than kids who make the more-select teams.

Dr. Paul Bearmon, who loves and coaches youth sports, contends that a kid who makes the traveling team and plays 140 hours has an advantage over kids who are cut and play on in-house teams and get 12 hours of playing time. This makes use of public facilities for all kids less equal and subject to a complaint of discrimination.

Dr. Bearmon says this system of favoring better kids over under-developed kids who are in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades should be examined by community park and recreation boards who now have little say over private, parent-run associations who sponsor these select teams and in-house leagues.

Because taxpayer-supported fields, parks and basketball gyms are involved, this matter could come before the community parks and recreation commissions or school districts, and ultimately, before the city councils and school boards.

The doctor has no problem with selecting out athletes for traveling teams in the junior high school years and beyond. When kids reach the age of 13, data shows that 75 percent drop and the rest go on to playing on junior varsity and varsity teams in high school.

In general, private athletic associations fueled by private funds and bolstered by adults who spend countless volunteer hours counter they are providing levels of competition to keep kids interested and developing in sports. Good athletes get bored and do not advance in any grade if they are mixed in with kids of lesser ability.

They contend they have as many traveling teams as possible, giving all kids an opportunity to play and try to avoid cutting youngsters.

Association officials contend that being cut even in lower grades can be a motivator to the kids to improve and make the team next year. Furthermore, some contend that being cut from teams even in the lower grades teaches them early that ìthatís life.î

Dr. Bearmon says for some kids, however, not making teams can be a traumatic experience. In his practice as an emergency physician he sees too many young athletes being injured because of intense sports play.

His main concern, however, is for the selecting out process taking place before kids reach puberty. Those who favor traveling teams in early grades say the kids with athletic ability work their way to the top are noticed, even though they may have been cut at some time.

When kids get cut they do one of two things. ìThey either say theyíll do another sport or theyíll quit sports entirely. He says the underdeveloped kid in lower grades may in fact become a better athlete than the more developed kids who make traveling teams.

Furthermore, he contends that those who make the teams in those lower grades may think they are better skilled than they are. That realization later on can also be a traumatic experience when they donít make teams.

As he speaks about this issue, more people are signing on. He hopes to get more attention from park and recreation boards, and he has a Web site at www.eaa.homestead.com.

Parents and community leaders are grateful to all associations who volunteer countless hours to provide athletic opportunities for kids when they are not in school.

The doctor is suggesting that having select teams in the early grades where they could get cut or play less time may just be taking some of the fun out of playing sports too early in their young lives.

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